I Am (I'm Me)

Last updated
"I Am (I'm Me)"
Twisted Sister I Am (I'm Me) 1983 single cover.jpg
Single by Twisted Sister
from the album You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll
ReleasedMarch 1983 [1]
Genre Glam metal
Length3:36
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s) Dee Snider
Producer(s) Stuart Epps
Twisted Sister singles chronology
"Bad Boys (Of Rock N' Roll)"
(1980)		"I Am (I'm Me)"
(1983)		"The Kids Are Back"
(1983)

"I Am (I'm Me)" is a song by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in 1983 as the lead single from their second studio album, You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll . The song was written by Dee Snider and produced by Stuart Epps. "I Am (I'm Me)" was Twisted Sister's first chart hit, reaching number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. It was their highest-charting entry in the UK and remained in the top 75 for nine weeks. [2]

Contents

Background

In a 2016 interview with Songfacts, Snider singled out "I Am (I'm Me)" as one Twisted Sister song which he felt deserved more attention. He recalled, "'I Am (I'm Me)' should have gotten a lot more [attention]. It was our first hit in England, but it never got released in the States, and it could have been as big as 'We're Not Gonna Take It' as a rock anthem. And it's one of my favorite songs statement-wise." [3]

Release

"I Am (I'm Me)" was Twisted Sister's debut single on Atlantic and preceded the release of its parent album, You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. It was the label's senior vice president, Phil Carson, who signed the band to the label after seeing them perform live and, after then receiving a demo tape from them, identified "I Am (I'm Me)", among others, as a potential hit. The band soon began recording You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll at Sol Studios in Cookham, England, and as recording approached completion, Carson devised a plan to give them their commercial breakthrough by releasing "I Am (I'm Me)" as a single. To provide some B-sides without sourcing songs from the upcoming album, Carson arranged for the band to perform two shows at London's Marquee Club on March 5 and 6, 1983. Three live recordings would be produced for the single: "Sin After Sin" for both the 7-inch and 12-inch releases and "Destroyer" and "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" for the 12-inch release. [4] The single was a success, reaching number 18 in the UK Singles Chart. [2]

Promotion

In April 1983, the band embarked on a 12-date UK tour to promote both the single and the new album. [1] As the song climbed the UK charts, the band performed it on Top of the Pops . [4] Their appearance on the show, in full makeup, resulted in the BBC receiving a number of complaints from viewers. [5] Snider recalled in his 2012 autobiography Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir, "Despite the fact that we were on with Boy George and Culture Club, the TOTP viewers were mortified by our appearance and demeanor. Of course the metal fans loved having one of their own on the show for a change." [4]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Pete Makowski of Kerrang! stated, "With the raw, basic but powerful production of Stuart Epps, the band have finally been able to transfer that OTT energy onto plastic. 'I Am (I'm Me)' is an obligatory stab at the commercial market and with a good video they could crack it." He also noted that, whereas "I Am (I'm Me)" "sound[ed] like the acceptable face of glitter", it was the live tracks included on the 12-inch single where "these grotesque gargoyles of randy rock deliver straight from the hip with a non stop blitzkrieg of noize and expletives deleted straight from the Marquee desk". [6] Kimberley Leston of Smash Hits called it "sweaty rock for the lads delivered by a gruesome-looking bunch in extremely ungainly togs". [7] Jim Reid of Record Mirror wrote, "People get paid quite good money to drill the roads. My advice to Twisted Sister, grab a pneumatic pretty damn quick, it'll make a sweeter sound than this record and pays a lot beter than the royalties from five record sales." [8]

Track listing

7–inch single (UK and Europe) [9] [10]

  1. "I Am (I'm Me)" – 3:36
  2. "Sin After Sin" (Recorded live at the Marquee, 5/6 March 1983) – 3:26

12–inch single (UK and Europe) [11] [12]

  1. "I Am (I'm Me)" – 3:36
  2. "Sin After Sin" (Recorded live at the Marquee, 5/6 March 1983) – 3:26
  3. "Destroyer" (Recorded live at the Marquee, 5/6 March 1983) – 4:23
  4. "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" (Recorded live at the Marquee, 5/6 March 1983) – 11:09

Personnel

Twisted Sister

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1983)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [13] 25
UK Singles (OCC) [14] 18
UK Heavy Metal Singles (MRIB) [15] 1

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twisted Sister</span> American heavy metal band

Twisted Sister was an American heavy metal band formed in 1972 in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, and later based on Long Island, New York. Their best-known songs include "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock", both of which were associated with music videos noted for their sense of slapstick humor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I'm with You (Sheriff song)</span> 1983 single by Sheriff

"When I'm with You" is a power ballad by Canadian arena rock band Sheriff. The song was released in January 1983 in Canada as the second single from their self-titled debut album. A top-ten hit in Canada in 1983, the song later reached number one in the United States in 1989, four years after the band separated in 1985. Guinness World Records lists “When I’m With You” as having the “Longest-held vocal note in a US hit single” which “features a note timed at 19.3 seconds” by “lead singer Federico ‘Freddy’ Curci [who] performed the soaring vocal – starting at 3 minutes 26 seconds – on the recording.” It is also one of the few number-one hits not to have a promotional video during the MTV era.

<i>Big Hits and Nasty Cuts</i> 1992 compilation album by Twisted Sister

Big Hits and Nasty Cuts: The Best of Twisted Sister is a greatest hits compilation by American heavy metal band, Twisted Sister. It was released in 1992 by Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and by WEA International Inc. for the rest of the world. The track list consists solely of songs from their first three albums, omitting any material from Come Out and Play and Love Is for Suckers, except outside of the United States where "Bad Boys of Rock 'n' Roll" was replaced with "Be Chrool to Your Scuel" from Come Out and Play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader of the Pack</span> 1964 single by the Shangri-Las

"Leader of the Pack" is a song written by George "Shadow" Morton, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich. It was a number one pop hit in 1964 for the American girl group the Shangri-Las. The single is one of the group's best known songs as well as a popular cultural example of a "teenage tragedy song". The song was covered in 1985 by the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, who had a more modest hit with their version.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire (Kasabian song)</span> 2006 single by Kasabian

"Empire" is a song by English rock band Kasabian, included as the title track for their second studio album, Empire (2006). It was released 24 July 2006 as the lead single from that album on CD. The single became popular immediately, entering the UK Singles Chart at number nine, its peak position, making it the band's third UK top-ten single. On 21 August 2006, 10-inch and DVD versions of the single were released.

<i>You Cant Stop Rock n Roll</i> 1983 studio album by Twisted Sister

You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in April 1983 in the UK and on June 17, 1983 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Flame (Cheap Trick song)</span> 1988 single by Cheap Trick

"The Flame" is a power ballad released in 1988 by the American rock band Cheap Trick as the first single from their tenth album, Lap of Luxury. It was written by songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham, and was produced by Richie Zito. "The Flame" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1988; it also reached number one in Australia and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock and Roll Is Dead</span> 1995 single by Lenny Kravitz

"Rock and Roll Is Dead" is a song by American musician Lenny Kravitz, released in August 1995 by Virgin as the first single from his fourth album, Circus (1995). The song, both written and produced by Kravitz, reached the top 20 in Canada, Finland, New Zealand, and Spain, but it underperformed in the United States, peaking at number 75 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video for "Rock and Roll Is Dead" was storyboarded by Andrew Trovaioli and directed by Ruven Afanador. It shows Kravitz performing the song with his band, as well as Kravitz with visual artistic related backgrounds. Kravitz was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song in 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twist and Shout (Deacon Blue song)</span> 1991 single by Deacon Blue

"Twist and Shout" is the second single from the album Fellow Hoodlums by Scottish rock band Deacon Blue. The song reached No. 10 in the UK Singles Chart in August 1991 and No. 13 on the Irish Singles Chart

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruby Red (song)</span> 1982 single by Slade

"Ruby Red" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1982 as the third single from the band's tenth studio album, Till Deaf Do Us Part. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. "Ruby Red" reached number 51 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burning in the Heat of Love</span>

"Burning in the Heat of Love" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1977 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Chas Chandler. The song failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock 'n' Roll Bolero</span> 1978 single by Slade

"Rock 'n' Roll Bolero" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1978 as a non-album single. It was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by Slade. The song failed to make an appearance in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Price (song)</span> 1984 song by Twisted Sister

"The Price" is a song by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in 1984 as the third and final single from their third studio album, Stay Hungry. The song was written by Dee Snider and produced by Tom Werman. "The Price" failed to reach the US Billboard Hot 100, stalling at number 8 on the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart in January 1985.

<i>Blood and Bullets</i> (album) 1992 album by Widowmaker

Blood and Bullets is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Widowmaker, released on July 28, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mindworks</span> 1990 single by Sam Brown

"Mindworks" is a song by English singer-songwriter Sam Brown, released on 9 July 1990 as the fourth single from her second studio album April Moon. It was written by Sam Brown and Richard Newman, and produced by Pete Brown and Sam Brown. "Mindworks" reached number 77 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Loser Gets to Win</span> 1983 single by Kiki Dee

"The Loser Gets to Win" is a song by English singer Kiki Dee, released on 14 October 1983 by EMI as a non-album single. The song was written by Dee, Harry Bogdanovs and Gary Osborne, and produced Elton John and Osborne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (song)</span> 1983 song by Twisted Sister

"You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" is a song by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in 1983 as the third and final single from their second studio album, You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. The song was written by Dee Snider and produced by Stuart Epps. "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kids Are Back</span> 1983 song by Twisted Sister

"The Kids Are Back" is a song by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in 1983 as the second single from their second studio album, You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. The song was written by Dee Snider and produced by Stuart Epps. "The Kids Are Back" was Twisted Sister's second chart hit, reaching number 32 in the UK Singles Chart and remaining in the top 75 for six weeks.

<i>Ruff Cutts</i> 1982 EP by Twisted Sister

Ruff Cutts is an EP by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released by Secret in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Want What We Got</span> 1985 song by Twisted Sister

"You Want What We Got" is a song by American heavy metal band Twisted Sister, released in 1986 as the second single from their fourth studio album, Come Out and Play (1985). The song was written by Dee Snider and produced by Dieter Dierks.

References

  1. 1 2 "News". Record Mirror . March 19, 1983. p. 6. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. 1 2 "Twisted Sister; full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  3. ↑ Wiser, Carl (February 18, 2016). "Dee Snider of Twisted Sister: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Snider, Dee (2012). Shut Up and Give Me the Mic: A Twisted Memoir. Gallery Books. pp. 192–195, 200–202. ISBN   9781451637397.
  5. ↑ Eggar, Robin (April 16, 1983). "Twisted Genius: Dee and the Sisters are out to shock" . Daily Mirror . p. 19. Retrieved 14 December 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ↑ Makowski, Pete (April 7, 1983). "Single Kuts". Kerrang! . No. 39. p. 15. ISSN   0262-6624.
  7. ↑ Leston, Kimberley (March 31, 1983). "Singles". Smash Hits . Vol. 5, no. 7. p. 23.
  8. ↑ Reid, Jim (March 26, 1983). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 19. ISSN   0144-5804.
  9. ↑ I Am (I'm Me) (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Twisted Sister. Atlantic Records. 1983. A 9854.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ↑ I Am (I'm Me) (European 7-inch single sleeve). Twisted Sister. Atlantic Records. 1983. 789854-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ↑ I Am (I'm Me) (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Twisted Sister. Atlantic Records. 1983. A 9854T.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ↑ I Am (I'm Me) (European 12-inch single sleeve). Twisted Sister. Atlantic Records. 1983. 789853-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Am (I'm Me)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Singles". Kerrang! . No. 39. April 7, 1983. p. 2. ISSN   0262-6624.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.