Pride Month Special: From Barrowman to Bassey, here are six fabulous renditions of ‘I Am What I Am’

Was listing to Air Talk on LAist on the drive to work today and host Larry Mantle was was asking LGBTQ+ listeners to call in with what song has been most inspiring to them on their journey.

I didn’t call in but I think this is the perfect song for LGBTQ+ Pride Month!

The fabulous I Am What I Am is a song originally introduced in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles and is the finale number of the musical’s first act. The song was composed in 1983 by Jerry Herman.

It was later released as a single by Gloria Gaynor in 1983 and went on to become one of the singer’s best known songs. A club hit in America, Gaynor’s version of was a hit throughout Europe and eventually became a gay anthem. The great Shirley Bassey recorded the song for her 1984 album I Am What I Am.

Here are several versions of it. Let me know which one is your favorite!