I've Gotta Be Me

Ella Fitzgerald

About I've Gotta Be Me

"I've Gotta Be Me" is a popular song that appeared in the Broadway musical Golden Rainbow, which starred Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. The musical opened in New York City at the Shubert Theatre on February 4, 1968, and closed just under a year later, on January 11, 1969. The music and lyrics for the musical were composed and written by Walter Marks in 1967; the production featured a book by Ernest Kinoy. This song was listed in the musical as "I've Got to Be Me", and it was sung by Lawrence's character Larry Davis at the end of the first act. Lawrence released the song as a single in 1967, and the following year it hit number six on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, with little or no support from traditional Top 40 radio. Sammy Davis Jr. recorded the song in 1968 while the musical was still running on Broadway, altering the title slightly to "I've Gotta Be Me", and released it as a single late in the year. This version of the song was a surprise hit for Davis, since the musical was not among the more successful shows on Broadway that season. Produced by Jimmy Bowen, Davis' cover of the song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1969 and remained in the Top 40 for 11 weeks. This is Davis' third highest charting single on the Hot 100 in his career; "Something's Gotta Give" had reached number nine in 1955, while "The Candy Man" hit #1 in 1972. In addition, the song spent seven weeks at number one on the Easy Listening chart. The song appears on Davis' 1968 album, which was also titled I've Gotta Be Me. 


Year:
1990
3:00
116 
#3

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I've gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am?

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I've gotta be me, I've gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone--that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I've gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone--that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I've gotta be free, I've just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996), also known as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella", was an American jazz and song vocalist. With a vocal range spanning three octaves (D♭3 to D♭6), she was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing and intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing. more »

11 fans

Written by: Walter Marks

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song's History
"I've Gotta Be Me" is a song that was initially popularized by an American singer and actor Steve Lawrence in 1968. It was written by Walter Marks in 1967 for the Broadway musical "Golden Rainbow".
Ella Fitzgerald's Cover
Renowned jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald also covered "I've Gotta Be Me" adding her unique and soul-stirring jazz touch to the song.
Song's Theme
The song carries a powerful message of self-affirmation. It urges listeners to be proud of who they are and to always stay true to themselves.
Usage in Popular Culture
It has been used several times in popular culture, appearing in movies, TV series, and advertisements, reinforcing its universal appeal.
Not a Ryan Tedder's Song
Contrary to some assumptions, Ryan Tedder, the lead vocalist of OneRepublic, did not perform or cover "I've Gotta Be Me". This might be a common confusion with the other singer Ryan O'Neal, whose band "Sleeping at Last" covered the song in 2013.
Achievements
Steve Lawrence's version was a top 10 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart in 1968 and also made the top 40 on the Pop chart.
Notable Covers
Besides Ella Fitzgerald, the song has been covered by numerous artists across different genres including Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, and The Temptations.
Sammy Davis Jr.'s Version
Sammy Davis Jr.'s version of "I've Gotta Be Me" is arguably the most famous interpretation of the song. It was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969.
Impact on Listeners
The song has often been praised for its inspirational and encouraging nature, celebrating individuality and self-love.
Lyrics
The lyrics of "I've Gotta Be Me" speaks to many, making it an enduring classic. It continues to resonate with audiences today for it's powerful affirmation of selfhood and individuality.

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