I AM WHAT I AM
(Jerry Herman)

Gloria Gaynor

Also recorded by: Shirley Bassey; Linda Eder; Harvey Fierstein;
Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles; George Hearn; Jerry Herman;
Kelly Marie; The Millenium Dance Party All-Stars; 
Frank O'Moiraghi; Ken Page; Joshua Pierce; Respect;
Royal Philharmonic Orch.; Seattle Men's Chorus; Leslie Uggams;
Gertraud Wagner; Anthony Warlow; Marti Webb; Dave Willetts.


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

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

I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the aces 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

I am what I am

I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck sometimes the aces 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

Oh I am
Oh I am
I am, I am, I am good
I am, I am, I am strong
I am, I am, I am worthy
I am, I am, I belong

I am

I am

Ooh ooh ooh ooh I am

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

Doo doo doo doo I am
I am, I am, I am