“This Is Me” is a song sung by Keala Settle in the movie The Greatest Showman. It came out on October 26, 2017, by Atlantic Records. It was used to promote The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and became the main single on December 8, 2017.
The song is about embracing who you are, especially if you feel like you don’t fit in. It’s like a cheer for people who feel like outsiders.
In the movie, “This Is Me” plays after Jenny Lind’s performance. There’s a party that the circus performers want to join, but P.T. Barnum, the main character, is ashamed of them. Then the Bearded Lady sings this empowering song.
In this article, we’ll talk about what the lyrics of “This Is Me” mean.
Table of Contents
“This is Me” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I am not a stranger to the dark
“Hide away,” they say
“‘Cause we don’t want your broken parts”
I’ve learned to be ashamed of all my scars
“Run away,” they say
“No one’ll love you as you are”
In Verse 1, Keala Settle describes feeling familiar with being in dark and lonely situations.
She expresses how others advise her to hide because they believe her flaws are not valuable or acceptable. As she sings, “‘Cause your flaws aren’t worth a spark,” it reflects the societal notion that imperfections are not worthy of acknowledgment or acceptance.
When she mentions “broken parts” and “scars,” it signifies emotional wounds or imperfections that society often shames or rejects, as she sings, “I’ve been made to feel ashamed of my scars.”
Despite this, she has learned to feel ashamed of these scars, implying a deep sense of insecurity and self-doubt instilled by societal judgment, as expressed in the line, “No one will love you as you are.”
[Pre-Chorus]
But I won’t let them break me down to dust
I know that there’s a place for us
For we are glorious
In the Pre-Chorus, Keala Settle rejects the idea of letting others diminish her worth or break her spirit, as she sings, “But I won’t let them break me down to dust.”
Instead, she maintains hope and confidence in her identity and value. Settle believes in the existence of a place where she and others like her belong, singing, “I know that there’s a place for us.”
[Chorus]
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown ’em out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come
And I’m marchin’ on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
In the Chorus, Keala Settle confronts the harsh criticism and negativity directed towards her with unwavering bravery, declaring, “I am brave, I am bruised.”
Settle reaffirms her self-acceptance and confidence in her identity, declaring, “I am who I’m meant to be, this is me.” This statement asserts her refusal to conform to society’s expectations or to hide her true self for the sake of acceptance.
Apart from that, Settle emphasizes her determination to boldly step forward and assert her presence, singing, “Look out ’cause here I come.”
[Verse 2]
Another round of bullets hits my skin
Well, fire away ’cause today
I won’t let the shame sink in
We are burstin’ through the barricades
And reachin’ for the sun (We are warriors)
Yeah, that’s what we’ve become (Yeah, that’s what we’ve become)
In Verse 2, Keala Settle talks about dealing with more criticism and attacks, represented by “bullets hits my skin.” But she decides to stay strong and not let the negativity get to her, saying, “Well, fire away ’cause today I won’t let the shame sink in.”
Moreover, Settle shows a feeling of unity and strength among those who have faced similar challenges, singing, “We are burstin’ through the barricades and reachin’ for the sun.” She calls herself and others “warriors,” highlighting their resilience and bravery in tough times.
[Bridge]
(Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
And I know that I deserve your love
(Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
There’s nothin’ I’m not worthy of
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh)
In the Bridge, Keala Settle expresses her belief in deserving love by singing, “I know that I deserve your love.” This line shows her recognition of her own worth and the significance of receiving love and respect.
Settle strengthens her self-esteem by stating, “There’s nothin’ I’m not worthy of.” This declaration emphasizes her confidence in deserving acceptance and acknowledgment, regardless of any flaws or imperfections.
[Outro]
(Whenever the words wanna cut me down)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh (I’ll send the flood to drown them out)
(Oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh)
I’m gonna send a flood
Gonna drown them out, ah
(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh, oh)
This is me
In the Outro, Settle faces a lot of criticism, shown by the phrase “the words wanna cut me down.” But she stays strong, saying she’ll fight back against negativity with her own determination, singing, “I’ll send the flood to drown them out.”
Sending a flood symbolizes Settle’s determination to overcome obstacles. The repeating “Oh-oh-oh” emphasizes her strength and victory, as she refuses to let external forces silence her.
Deeper Meaning Behind “This is Me”
“This is Me” was written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for the movie about P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman.” The song’s message is one of defiance against societal judgment and an affirmation of individual identity. It reminds us that our worth is not determined by society’s standards.
In the biographical drama, the bold song is sung by Hawaii native Keala Settle, who portrays Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady. The character of Lettie Lutz is based on the real-life Annie Jones Elliot (1865 – 1902), an American bearded woman who was a prominent figure in P.T. Barnum’s “Greatest Show on Earth.”
Known for her musical talents and graceful demeanor, Jones served as a spokesperson for Barnum’s “Freaks” and spent much of her career performing with his circus troupe.
In the movie, Lettie Lutz sings it after she and the circus troupe are excluded from Barnum’s after-party following Jenny Lind’s performance. Despite Barnum’s embarrassment, the bearded lady refuses to be diminished.
In an interview with Billboard, Pasek said:
“It was really inspired by the group of oddities in the film, and what they came to represent and what [director] Michael [Gracey] talked about them representing.
People who had lived in the shadows their whole lives and for the first time wanted to feel love and acceptance, and even when P.T. Barnum turns his back on them, they make a statement – not only to him, but to themselves – that they declare to love themselves for the first time.”
The song was also partly inspired by Benj Pasek’s personal struggles as a gay teenager. He explained to Billboard:
“I’m a gay man who grew up in the closet when I was a teenager. You experience the world telling you that you’re not lovable, you’re unwanted, or something about you is broken, and you feel like you have to fix yourself or hide yourself.
I think it’s amazing to work on a song that you think is your own private struggle and you realize that once you shine a little bit of light on it, there are a lot of other people sort of huddling in the dark there too.
And that other people relate to that idea or relate to that message and can find a sort of communion in that message.”
“This Is Me” was created as an internal dialogue for the bearded lady, Lettie Lutz, following the scene where Barnum turns his back on her and the rest of the troupe at the upscale party.
Later on, the song evolves into a collective expression for all the “freaks,” as they unite in a powerful ensemble. Justin Paul elaborated on this to Genius:
“We always wrote it knowing that it could be an internal moment for her. Like expressing what she’s feeling in that moment of having being let down, or just so broken.
I think the way we wrote it she was talking to herself. It becomes much more external and much more for everyone else, and she kinds of rallies those troops so to speak. Claim the moment and say this is us. But that was her internal monologue.”
In the end, “This Is Me” is an anthem of resilience for those who feel rejected by society. It celebrates embracing one’s flaws and scars as integral parts of their identity, rather than something to be ashamed of.
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.