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I’m Coming Out is from Diana Ross’ 1980 album Diana and was written by Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers. The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot Disco Singles charts.
Nile Rodgers got the idea for I’m Coming Out after he noticed three different drag queens dressed as Diana at a NYC club, called the GG Barnum Room. The lyrics also have a different and special meaning to Ross, as she was in the process of leaving Motown Records during the recording of the song, and “coming out” from under the thumb of Motown’s Berry Gordy.
Diana performed I’m Coming Out in front of President Bill Clinton and other world leaders at the 1994 opening ceremony for the World Cup, held at Soldier Field in Chicago.