I Am What I Am

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. more »

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It takes a lifetime to become the best that we can be
We have not the time or the right to judge each other
And it's one life, and there's not return or no deposit
One life, so make sure you like what's in your closet

Mhm, ooh ooh oh yeah, mhm 
Huh huh, yeah yeah, ooh oh

I am what I am
I don't want praise I don't want pity
I bang my own drum
Some think it's noise I think it's pretty
And so what if I love each sparkle and each bangle
Why not try to see things from a different angle
Your life is a shame til you can shout out 
I am what I am

Ooh ooh, mhm
Ooh ooh ooh ooh yeah
Huh huh, hey hey yeah 
Ooh ah

I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace sometimes the deuces
It's my life that I want to have a little pride in
My life and it's not a place I have to hide in
Life's not worth a danm til you can shout out
I am what I am

I am what I am

I am what I am
I am, I am, I am, I am, I am good
I am
I am, good
I am
I am, I am good 
I am

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Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor (born September 7, 1943) is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" (Hot 100 number 1, 1979), "Never Can Say Goodbye" (Hot 100 number 9, 1974), "Let Me Know (I Have a Right)" (Hot 100 number 42, 1980) and "I Am What I Am" (R&B number 82, 1983). more »

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