I Am What I Am
The Village People
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
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
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
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.
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Gloria Gaynor's VersionThe 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.
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The Village People's VersionThe 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.
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Gay AnthemThe 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.
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Stage OriginThe 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.
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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.
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Grammys RecognitionGloria Gaynor's version of the song was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards in 1985.
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Continual Relevance on Pride EventsDespite 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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Citation
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"I Am What I Am Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2703478/The+Village+People/I+Am+What+I+Am>.
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