“I Am What I Am” is a song from the broadway musical La Cage aux Folles. It is performed by the character Albin Mougeotte.
It was the national anthem of the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands, a micronation that was founded in 2004 and dissolved in 2017.
[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"
[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"
[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"
[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"
[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...
I Am What I Am was written by Scott English & Richard Kerr.
I Am What I Am was produced by Joel Diamond.