I Was Born This Way

"I Was Born This Way" is a disco song by Valentino, released in 1975, then by Carl Bean in 1977, and remake in 1995 by Johnny Rodriguez. It was written by Bunny Jones of the music label Gaiee, who was promoted by the Valentino's version of song.

The song's lyrics is about a man who proclaims that he's a homosexual and he's "born this way". It's seen by many to be the first gay disco song, before the Village People wave.

It was also sampled in 1999 by Stuart Price, behind the alias "Pour Homme", as "Born this Way".

Success of each version

The Valentino's version was a success in UK (where it was a #1 disco hits) and in the USA.

In 1978, the Carl Bean's version became a club hit on the Billboard Club Play Singles at #15. The song was remixed in 1995, then was on the Pet Shop Boys' album "Back to Mine" in 2005.

In 2006, Carl Bean's "I Was Born This Way" was featured in the independent film "Another Gay Movie."

External links

*http://www.queermusicheritage.com/jun2002v.html Valentino & Carl Bean in "Queer Music Heritage"