I met Valentino when I was a little girl, I think it was in the studio because I remember him singing this song. Wow, it was cool hanging around him that day.
Let's put it this way......Bunny Jones, the co-writer had a very close connection with Motown Records and Stevie Wonder, thereby successfully arranging to have him perform on the session with us.
I will always be grateful to Stevie for doing this.
The B side of "I Was Born This Way" was another song I wrote titled "Liberation".
It also charted in Europe and in my opinion was also a great song.
My name is Chris Spierer and I wrote this song with Bunny Jones back in 1974.
It has been covered by many artists such as The Pet Shop Boys, Magnus Carlsson, Jimmy Somerville, Johnny Rodriguez, Paul Oskar, Dimitri From Paris, Marty Thomas, Pour Homme, Another Gay Movie as well as Carl Bean..It has also been sampled numerous times.
You're hearing Stevie Wonder on drums!!
I am playing the guitar along with great musicians from New York.
@langolutch Hi Chris , it was wonderful to read your comment. I and many thousands of others are grateful to you beyond words for bringing this landmark song into the world. Fascinating that Stevie Wonder is on drums here! I would love to know the story behind that!... Very best wishes, Gianni
Interesting! Is there a karaoke version of this? (I got here because some idiots were saying Lady Gaga stole this song... They're not the same song. XD )
Valentino NEVER gets credit for releasing this song FIRST. Carl Bean never corrects music journalists who perpetuate the myth that Bean was the first "out" Black gay recording artist, even though Sylvester's first recordings were in 1972 (five years BEFORE Bean's version of this song) and recordings by Canada's Jackie Shane (Little Richard's 'out' gay cousin) date back to the early 1960's. Check out Shane's live and studio versions of "Any Other Way" if you don't believe me! :-)
@jorial6675 Interesting... I have never heard of Jackie Shane before. It's also important to mention The Dynamic Superiors who were formed in 1963 and released their first hit Shoe Shoe Shine on Motown in 1974. The Superiors' material is mostly not specifically gay in its subject matter but their brilliant lead vocalist Tony Washington was openly gay.
@gianni73701 WOW! Thanks for the tip about the The Dynamic Superiors -- that's one I have never heard of, LOL. Will definitely check them out. So much great music, so little time! This is why I love YouTube! xo J.
@jorial6675 Well I'd like to thank you for making me aware of Jackie Shane - amazing performer!!! I'm dying to hear Papa's Got A Brand New Bag. Might try to upload it if I can get hold of a copy. Best wishes, G.
Awesome -- I've been wanting to hear the original original version. More '70s Soul than disco. Lo0ve the Carl Bean version but this is very very nice.
I met Valentino when I was a little girl, I think it was in the studio because I remember him singing this song. Wow, it was cool hanging around him that day.
mymusixrebrn 3 weeks ago
great post! b side is killer!!!
shutup807 1 month ago
I just want to say it was the first time that I did a record and the first time I played a real piano...thank you Bunny, R.I.P.
MrMARVIN1952 1 month ago
Dear Gianni:
Let's put it this way......Bunny Jones, the co-writer had a very close connection with Motown Records and Stevie Wonder, thereby successfully arranging to have him perform on the session with us.
I will always be grateful to Stevie for doing this.
The B side of "I Was Born This Way" was another song I wrote titled "Liberation".
It also charted in Europe and in my opinion was also a great song.
Valentino did a great job on it !!
Again thank you......Chris
langolutch 7 months ago
Thank you so much for posting this.
My name is Chris Spierer and I wrote this song with Bunny Jones back in 1974.
It has been covered by many artists such as The Pet Shop Boys, Magnus Carlsson, Jimmy Somerville, Johnny Rodriguez, Paul Oskar, Dimitri From Paris, Marty Thomas, Pour Homme, Another Gay Movie as well as Carl Bean..It has also been sampled numerous times.
You're hearing Stevie Wonder on drums!!
I am playing the guitar along with great musicians from New York.
Thanks again. Chris
langolutch 7 months ago 8
@langolutch Hi Chris , it was wonderful to read your comment. I and many thousands of others are grateful to you beyond words for bringing this landmark song into the world. Fascinating that Stevie Wonder is on drums here! I would love to know the story behind that!... Very best wishes, Gianni
gianni73701 7 months ago
@langolutch
Valentino is very glad that this is posted and that he is still singing and writing. He went on to perform as a scarecrow in the wiz
Can be heard on Joni Mitchell's turbulent indigo and wild things run fast
To see a portrait of him painted by Joni go to her website
marketst7 3 months ago in playlist Liked
Interesting! Is there a karaoke version of this? (I got here because some idiots were saying Lady Gaga stole this song... They're not the same song. XD )
Nekorin 7 months ago
Where is Valentino today?
CombrogoStarchild 7 months ago
Valentino NEVER gets credit for releasing this song FIRST. Carl Bean never corrects music journalists who perpetuate the myth that Bean was the first "out" Black gay recording artist, even though Sylvester's first recordings were in 1972 (five years BEFORE Bean's version of this song) and recordings by Canada's Jackie Shane (Little Richard's 'out' gay cousin) date back to the early 1960's. Check out Shane's live and studio versions of "Any Other Way" if you don't believe me! :-)
jorial6675 8 months ago
@jorial6675 Interesting... I have never heard of Jackie Shane before. It's also important to mention The Dynamic Superiors who were formed in 1963 and released their first hit Shoe Shoe Shine on Motown in 1974. The Superiors' material is mostly not specifically gay in its subject matter but their brilliant lead vocalist Tony Washington was openly gay.
gianni73701 8 months ago 2
@gianni73701 WOW! Thanks for the tip about the The Dynamic Superiors -- that's one I have never heard of, LOL. Will definitely check them out. So much great music, so little time! This is why I love YouTube! xo J.
jorial6675 8 months ago
@jorial6675 Well I'd like to thank you for making me aware of Jackie Shane - amazing performer!!! I'm dying to hear Papa's Got A Brand New Bag. Might try to upload it if I can get hold of a copy. Best wishes, G.
gianni73701 8 months ago
@jorial6675 So you see? Never trust Mr. Bean.
(LMAO)
pianoman74 5 months ago
Awesome -- I've been wanting to hear the original original version. More '70s Soul than disco. Lo0ve the Carl Bean version but this is very very nice.
RGMike1 8 months ago