The original release of "I was born this way" dates from 1977, by Motown label. Produced by Bunny Jones, the track counted on the lyrics of the gospel singer Carl Bean with a very engaged message, such as "We're all the way nature meant us to be," as well as its chorus part "I'm happy, I'm carefree, I'm gay / I was born this way!" The tune reached number fourteen on the billboard disco charts, infesting the dancefloors of the disco scene, and became a kind of a gay rights anthem of that time. Bean’s vocals were unique, not only for it’s magnificent timbres, but for the undeniable Gospel & Soul influences. Next Plateau reissued the tune some years later, in 1985, and this later release was played by DJs such as Farley Jackmaster Funk like in his historical set at WBMX Chicago, in 1987.