I'm Coming Out

I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross is a Funkytown song on iHeart Radio.

"**I'm Coming Out**" is a song recorded by American singer Diana Ross. It was written by and produced by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, and released on August 22, 1980 as the second single from Ross' self-titled tenth album *Diana* (1980).

## Background

In 1979, Ross commissioned Chic founders Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards to create material for a new album after taking her daughters to see the band in concert, following the success of Ross's final Ashford & Simpson-composed and produced LP, *The Boss.* Rodgers got the idea for "I'm Coming Out" after noticing three different drag queens dressed as Diana Ross at a New York club called the GG Barnum Room. The lyrics hold an additional meaning to Ross, as she was leaving Motown Records and "coming out" from under Berry Gordy's thumb. According to the BBC4 documentary "How to Make It in the Music Business", Ross loved the record until she put it in front of Frankie Crocker, who pointed out that 'I'm Coming Out' is what homosexuals use to announce their homosexuality; she ran back to the studio in tears and demanded to know why Rodgers wanted to ruin her career.

## Legacy

The song was another hit from the album, peaking at number five on the U.S. *Billboard* Hot 100 chart for two weeks in November 2020. It is also notable for being the first song usually performed at Ross' performances and concerts since 1980.

## LGBTQ significance

"I'm Coming Out" has been regarded as an anthem for the LGBT community. The phrase "coming out" to describe one's self-disclosure of sexual orientation or gender identity had been present in the gay subculture since the early 20th century. It has also been understood as "coming out of the closet" or coming out from hiding. The song is thus interpreted as a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender identity and the encouragement of self-disclosure.

## Trombone solo

Rodgers convinced his neighbor, producer Meco Monardo, to contract the horns for the album in return for a commitment by Rodgers to co-produce Monardo's then-upcoming album of music from *The Empire Strikes Back*. Monardo, a former first-call session player who had a string of hits in the late 1970s with disco versions of film music, also played trombone on the album and is featured in a solo towards the end of "I'm Coming Out":

Trombone solos have been rare on Top 40 songs in the post-big band era and especially so since the 1960s. Notable exceptions include brief solos by James Pankow on a handful of early Chicago hits and Clifford Adams' brief solo on Kool & the Gang's 1983 hit "Joanna".

The dispute with Ross led to none of the musicians being credited on the album cover and also may have had a part in Rodgers backing out of his commitment to Monardo's *Meco Plays Music from The Empire Strikes Back* album. However, Rodgers and Ross later mended their professional relationship and subsequent digital releases of the album credit Monardo and the other musicians. A 2003 two-disc release of the album included the Rodgers/Edwards mix originally rejected by Ross, as a bonus track.

## Music video

The video consists of Ross performing the song with studio musicians live in concert.

## Track listings

**U.S., UK, French, and German 7" and 12" single**

* Side A:

1. "I'm Coming Out"

* Side B:

1. "Give Up"

**Dutch 7" and 12" single**

* Side A:

1. "I'm Coming Out"

* Side B:

1. "Never Say I Don't Love You"

**Swedish 7" single**

* Side A:

1. "I'm Coming Out"

* Side B:

1. "My Old Piano"