"I Was Born This Way" is a disco song written by Chris Spierer and Bunny Jones. The song was first recorded by Valentino, released in 1975, then by Carl Bean in 1977 (both artists for Motown).
The record was first released on the Motown-distributed Gaiee Records and performed by Valentino[1] (real name Charles Harris).[2] Frankie Crocker of WBLS in New York first aired the song and it was an instant hit. For the past 46 years since it was written, it has become an anthem for the gay community and has been on countless compilation albums as well as being (sampled) on other recordings many times.
The writers, Spierer and Jones, wanted to write a gay anthem and make the plight on gay issues known and bring it to the forefront. The song's lyrics are about a man who proclaims that he's a homosexual and that he was "born this way". It was one of the first gay disco songs written specifically for the gay community, before the Village People wave.
Valentino's version was a success in UK (where it was a #1 disco hit) and in the USA.
In 1978, the Carl Bean version on Motown Records became a club hit on the Billboard National Disco Action, Top 40 chart, peaking at #15.[3] The song was remixed by Shep Pettibone and Bruce Forest in 1986, and along with a mix by Timmy Regisford was re-released on Next Plateau records. The "Better Days" mix became a huge club anthem during the 80s. The song was remixed again in 1995 on Next Plateau Records.