Burning The Ground Exclusive
“Out, out tonight — feel like going out in the night…”
Today’s Pride Month feature cranks the glitter to eleven with a high-energy, high-attitude anthem from one of the most iconic figures in drag and queer music history: Divine. Released in 1984, “I’m So Beautiful” is more than a Hi-NRG dancefloor stomper—it’s a declaration of radical self-love, delivered with all the camp, charisma, and defiance only Divine could muster.
Produced by Mike Stock and Matt Aitken before their rise as part of the Stock Aitken Waterman powerhouse, the track is pure mid-‘80s disco magic. Pulsing synths, fierce basslines, and Divine’s unmistakable, commanding vocals all collide to form a club anthem that oozes confidence from every beat.
✨ Lyrically Loud and Proud
From the moment Divine struts onto the track, she sets the tone:
“Out, out tonight / Feel like going out in the night
I’m gonna walk the street, walk the street
I wanna feel the heat, feel the heat
There ain’t nobody better than me / Can’t you see? Look at me!”
It’s a celebration of showing up, showing off, and not giving a damn what anyone thinks. It’s about seizing the spotlight, whether you’re dancing in a club or just walking down the street like it’s your runway.
And the chorus? It’s an eternal mood:
“I’m so beautiful / You’ve gotta believe that I am beautiful
I’m so beautiful, can’t you see? Look at me!”
This isn’t just camp. It’s empowerment. It’s freedom. It’s a disco-soaked act of self-affirmation at a time when drag queens and queer people were rarely seen—let alone celebrated.
👑 A Pride Anthem for the Ages
Divine was never just a performer—she was a force. A pioneer of gender rebellion, a star of John Waters’ underground cinema, and a drag icon who brought punk edge to disco elegance. “I’m So Beautiful” exemplifies everything that made her a legend: humor, heart, and a refusal to play by anyone else’s rules.
This song is a mirrorball manifesto, telling every outsider, every queer kid, every fabulous misfit: You are beautiful. Own it. Live it. Shine.
💖 So Turn It Up…
“Everybody’s welcome to this point of view / We’re all beautiful, can’t you see?”
Happy Pride, and remember: beauty isn’t just in the eye of the beholder—it’s in the boldness to be exactly who you are.
SIDE A:
I’m So Beautiful (Mix) 7:55
Mixed By – Barry Evangeli
Written-By – M. Stock/M. Aitken*
SIDE B:
I’m So Beautiful (Divine Mix) 4:42
Written-By – M. Stock/M. Aitken*
Show Me Around 3:20
Written-By – The Toy Shop
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Proto (2) – 120·07·117, Bellaphon – 120·07·117
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Stereo
Country: Germany
Released: Oct 1984
Genre: Electronic
Style: Hi NRG
CREDITS:
- Artwork [Hair, Make-up] – Van Smith
- Directed By – Matt Aitken, Mike Stock
- Lacquer Cut By – SST (8)
- Management – Bernard Jay Management Inc., New York*
- Photography By [Photos] – Greg Gorman
- Producer – Barry Evangeli, Pete Waterman
NOTES:
Manufactured and Distributed by Bellaphon Germany
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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Hi Paul,
“Look at Me!”
Absolute classic track by Divine, and the fresh-on-the-scene Stock/Aitken/Waterman.
You Think You’re a Man was their first UK Top 20, Followed by Hazell Dean and then Divine again with this legendary track.
I remember coming home with this 12″ (and the How Men Are album by Heaven 17) and being blown away by the futurism of sound of both releases.
These tracks (Divine and Hazell) essentially laid the foundation of Stock/Aitken/Waterman and paved the way for other artists.
Following in the footsteps of Divine….
Sending love,
John
Hi John,
“Look at me!” — indeed!! 😄
What a brilliant memory—and you’re spot on about the impact Divine and Hazell Dean had in shaping the early SAW sound. There’s something electric about those first few productions: raw, fresh, and absolutely blazing with energy. Divine truly helped kick that door wide open, unapologetically bold and ahead of her time.
Love that you picked up How Men Are the same day too—what a killer combo of forward-thinking pop! Thanks so much for sharing that memory and for always showing love here.
Big hugs,
Paul
What an anthem! The team behind this really shows how it should be done: An empowering message wrapped up in a catchy production just screaming to be blasted on the dance floor or blaring out the car window. I’ve seen Divine’s album covers, and I know you’ve posted her before. I just haven’t caught up to listening to her until now. As Jeff said, she really was a pioneer whose life was cut too short. Thank you Paul for giving this a renewed spotlight!!
So glad this one hit the mark for you! Divine truly was ahead of her time—bold, unapologetic, and absolutely unforgettable. I love how you put it: the message, the production, the attitude—it demands to be turned up loud! Her legacy is such a vital piece of queer music history, and I’m thrilled to help give it a proper spotlight. Thanks so much for listening and for always sharing your thoughtful takes. More fabulousness still to come! 🌈💥
Thanks !!
You’re welcome, Peter.
This is so much fun!! Gosh, I do miss Divine!! She was such a pioneer with everything she did. And what a powerful anthem this is! Like you wrote, Paul, “a Mirrorball manifesto!” Camp and frothy, I love all the looks she gives to the camera and in the mirrors! Too bad she’s gone! At the time of her death, it looked like she was moving a little bit into the mainstream. I know John Waters always championed Divine as an icon and a star, and I know she would have become more famous if she had lived longer. Thank… Read more »
Jeff, you always capture the spirit so perfectly—thank you! Divine truly was one of a kind: fearless, fabulous, and absolutely unforgettable. I agree completely, she was right on the cusp of breaking even further into the mainstream, and who knows how far she could have gone. But what she gave us in the time she had was pure gold. I’m honored to help keep her glittering legacy alive, and I’m so glad this one brought back the joy. 💄💃🌈
More Divine energy on the way—because the world could always use more sparkle!
I would love to hear an Instrumental (which probably doesn’t even exist) of “Show Me Around.” If you listen to it from around 2 minutes and nine seconds (and it lasts the “entire” 15 seconds) you might understand why I’d love to listen to perhaps 10 minutes of nothing but that beautifully done twangin’ – anyone ever heard, or heard of, an Instrumental version of “Show Me Around”?
I agree, an instrumental would be great. I love that part of the song. I love “Show Me Around.” It should have been a single.