I Am What I Am

The Village People

About I Am What I Am

"I Am What I Am" is a song written by Victor Willis, Henri Belolo, Peter Whitehead and Jacques Morali that was first released by the Village People on their 1978 album Macho Man. It was also released as a single with "Key West," also from Macho man, as the b-side in some countries including Germany and the UK. It did not chart in those countries, but it reached #4 on the Billboard Dance Chart in a medley with "Key West" and "Macho Man." It has since been released on several Village People greatest hits compilation albums. It was also included on the soundtrack for the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday. Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider described "I Am What I Am" as a "human-rights anthem." Village People singer Randy Jones describes the song as "a gay liberation statement, aimed directly at gays and lesbians who were standing up without apology for their lifestyle" and as the group's "first gay liberation song." He says that the theme of the song is the virtue of being yourself, and not just if you're gay or transgender but even just if you want to dress in an unusual manner, as long as you don't hurt anyone else. Author Michael DeAngelis describes the theme as being "pride and faithfulness to the individual and authentic self." DeAngelis notes that this theme had particular resonance at the time, when the gay community was in the process of "coming out" and a general cultural obsession was finding healthy ways to feel good about oneself. Author Frédéric Martel identifies "I Am What I Am" as one of five Village People songs that were touchstones to the gay movement in France when they came out ("San Francisco (You've Got Me)," "Macho Man," "Y. M. C. A." and "In the Navy" being the others). Author Judith A. Peraino described "I Am What I Am" as a "hit single" while Boze Hadleigh described it as a "pre-hit." Author Sharon Davis claimed that lyrics are "so camp they have to held down with tent pegs." But Billboard described it as "provocative," describing it as a "gay pride anthem with its activist lyrics and basic theme." Billboard also praised the rhythm and percussion and horn arrangements. AllMusic critic Amy Hanson described it as "a well-constructed slab of groove," despite lacking subtlety. Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider regarded "I Am What I Am" as the best song on Macho Man stating that Willis' voice is "full of anger and delight" on the song and concluding that "because the song seems so committed, it makes the rest of the material sound downright pointless."The song's title was later reused by Jerry Herman for a 1983 hit song performed by Gloria Gaynor, which also had gay pride as a theme. Reebok later used the title phrase for a successful trainers advertising campaign. 


Year:
1978
5:35
220 
#4

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I am, I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, I'll be, I'll be
I am, I am, what I am, what I am, for the rights, for the rights, of man, hey

People have the right to be just who they are
People have the right to share all of their love
People have the right to share just what they give
The right to their free will.

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand,
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man,
I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world,
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am what I am, hey, alright

Say it, say it y'all
I am, I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, I'll be, hey, alright
I am, I am, what I am, what I am, for the rights, for the rights, of man, listen here

People have the right, regardless of their skin
People have the right to let God's love come in
People have the right to truly be your friend
To love is not a sin.

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand,
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man,
I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world,
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am what I am, hey

Everybody, everybody say it with me y'all
I am, I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, I'll be, hey, alright
I am, what I am, what I am, what I am, for the rights, for the rights, of man, yeah

People have the right to live with who they please
People have the right to live there happily
No one has the right to choose my love for me
I was born free.

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand,
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man,
I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world,
Oh, I am what I a-a-am, I am what I am, hey

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am,
I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand,
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am
I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man,
I did not choose the way I a-a-am, Born into this world,
Hey, I am what I a-a-am, I am what I am

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The Village People

The Village People was a popular American disco group formed in 1977 known for their flamboyant costumes, energetic performances, and catchy dance songs, including their biggest hits "YMCA," "Macho Man," and "In the Navy." They were known for representing various stereotypes of American masculinity, each portrayed by a different member, and contributed to the cultural phenomenon of disco music in the late 1970s. more »

3 fans

Written by: GENE MCFADDEN, JOHN WHITEHEAD, VICTOR CARSTARPHEN, TECERO MULDREW, DAVID C. WELDON, DANTE MILLER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Song's Identity
"I Am What I Am" is a song originally featured in the Broadway musical "La Cage aux Folles". It was later popularized by two separate artists: Gloria Gaynor and The Village People.
Gloria Gaynor's Version
The American singer released her version of "I Am What I Am" in 1983 from her album "I Am Gloria Gaynor". - It reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and performed better in the UK where it peaked at No. 13.
The Village People's Version
The Village People, known for their hits like "YMCA" and "Macho Man", covered the song in 1985 for their album "Sex Over the Phone". - One of the reasons this version didn't chart as well could be linked to the decline of the group's popularity at the time.
Gay Anthem
The song "I Am What I Am" is considered a gay anthem. The empowering lyrics resonate with taking pride in one's identity which is a core concept in the LGBTQ+ community. - Gloria Gaynor has mentioned in interviews that she's proud to be associated with the song because of its positive message of self-acceptance.
Stage Origin
The song originally comes from the stage musical "La Cage aux Folles" (1983), which tells the story of a gay couple who run a drag nightclub. - Its powerful message of self-acceptance made it equally popular outside of the theatre circles.
Song's Influence
"I Am What I Am" has been covered by numerous artists in different languages over the years. This highlights the universal appeal and relevance of the song's message.
Grammys Recognition
Gloria Gaynor's version of the song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985.
Continual Relevance on Pride Events
Despite being several decades old, "I Am What I Am" is still frequently played at Pride events worldwide, showing its relevance and enduring popularity.

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