Gloria Gaynor, born on September 7, 1943, is a famous American singer. She’s best known for her disco-era hit song “I Am What I Am” from 1983.
“I Am What I Am” originally appeared in the Broadway musical called La Cage aux Folles. In the musical, it’s the closing song of the first act and is sung by the character Albin Mougeotte.
This song encourages us to embrace ourselves without fear and live our lives genuinely. It also reminds us to take control of our lives and take pride in all our experiences, both the good and the bad.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
“I am What I Am” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I am what I am
I am my own special creation
So come take a look
Give me the hook or the ovation
It’s my world that I want to have a little pride in
My world, and it’s not a place I have to hide in
Life’s not worth a damn till you can say
“I am what I am”
In Verse 1, the singer is expressing her self-confidence and individuality. She asserts that she is unique and doesn’t need anyone’s approval.
She invites others to observe and either appreciate her for who she is or criticize her if they choose.
The singer emphasizes that she wants to take pride in her own world and not hide her true self.
[Verse 2]
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 sham till you can shout out
“I am what I am”
In Verse 2, the singer is conveying her independence and self-assuredness. She doesn’t seek praise or pity from others.
The singer compares her uniqueness to the sound of her own drum, which some may find noisy but she finds beautiful.
She questions why it’s wrong to appreciate things from a different perspective, emphasizing that she loves her personal style, including sparkles and bangles, which refer to decorative and eye-catching accessories or jewelry that add a touch of glamor and flair to one’s appearance.
[Verse 3]
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 one life and there’s no return and no deposit
One life so it’s time to open up your closet
Life’s not worth a damn till you can shout out
“I am what I am”
In Verse 3, the singer is emphasizing her self-acceptance and the absence of any need for excuses regarding who she is.
She compares her life to a deck of cards, where sometimes she’s in a favorable position (the ace) and other times in a less favorable one (the deuces). This suggests that she accepts the ups and downs of life as part of her life journey.
She underscores the idea that life is finite, with no opportunity for a do-over or a refund. Therefore, it’s essential to be authentic and open about one’s true self.
The mention of “open up your closet” implies being honest about one’s identity without hiding anything.
She reiterates that life gains value when you can confidently proclaim, “I am what I am,” without the need for justifications or apologies.
[Verse 4]
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 one life and there’s no return and no deposit
One life so it’s time to open up your closet
Life’s not worth a damn till you can shout out
“I am what I am”
In Verse 4, the singer reiterates the idea that her life is like a deck of cards, sometimes favorable (the ace) and sometimes less so (the deuces). This illustrates her acceptance of life’s fluctuations.
She once again stresses that life is finite, with no opportunity for a do-over or a refund. Therefore, it’s essential to be authentic and open about one’s true self.
The phrase “open up your closet” symbolizes the importance of being honest about who you are without hiding anything.
[Outro]
I am, I am, I am useful
I am, I am, I am true
I am, I am somebody
I am as good as you, ah ha, ah ha
Ooh ooh ooh ooh, yes I am
Ah ah ah ah, ah I am…
In the Outro, Gloria Gaynor continues to assert her self-worth and self-acceptance. She uses phrases like “I am useful,” “I am true,” and “I am somebody” to emphasize her individuality and value.
The repetition of “I am” in this section reinforces her message of self-affirmation and self-pride. She concludes by asserting that she is as good as anyone else.
Deeper Meaning Behind “I am What I Am”
“I Am What I Am” is a song that encourages people to live their lives without apology, celebrating their individuality and recognizing that they are just as valuable and worthy as anyone else. It’s a self-affirmation and a reminder that true happiness comes from being true to oneself.
In the song, the singer declares her individuality and refuses to seek validation or approval from others. She asserts that she is her own unique creation, as expressed in the lines “Life’s not worth a damn till you can shout out ‘I am what I am.'”
Meanwhile, the lines “It’s my world that I want to have a little pride in, My world, and it’s not a place I have to hide in,” suggest that hiding one’s true self or conforming to societal expectations is not fulfilling.
The repeated phrases “I am what I am,” reinforces the idea that accepting oneself without excuses is essential for personal growth. The singer pushes us to let go of fear, judgment, and the need for external validation.
The song promotes the idea that each person’s life journey is unique, with its ups and downs, and that’s what makes it valuable.
While the song itself may not exclusively address LGBT+ issues, it became a cherished anthem within the LGBTQ+ community, especially for the line “One life so it’s time to open up your closet,” which means “being honest and open about one’s true self, regardless of societal expectations or prejudices.”
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.