I Am What I Am (Village People song)

Last updated
"I Am What I Am"
Villageiamwhatiam.jpeg
Cover to German 7" single release
Single by Village People
from the album Macho Man
B-side "Key West"
Released1978
RecordedSigma Sound Studios, New York City
1977
Genre Disco
Length3:53(7")
5:37 (12"/LP)
Label Casablanca Records
Songwriter(s) Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo, Victor Willis and Peter Whitehead
Producer(s) Jacques Morali
Village People singles chronology
"Village People"
(1977)		"I Am What I Am"
(1978)		"Macho Man"
(1978)

"I Am What I Am" is a song written by Victor Willis, Henri Belolo, Peter Whitehead and Jacques Morali that was first released by the Village People on their 1978 album Macho Man . It was also released as a single with "Key West" as the b-side in some countries including Germany and the UK. It did not chart in those countries, but it reached #4 on the Billboard Dance Chart in a medley with "Key West" and "Macho Man". [1] It has since been released on several Village People greatest hits compilation albums. [2] It was also included on the soundtrack for the 1978 film Thank God It's Friday . [3] [4]

Contents

Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider described "I Am What I Am" as a "human-rights anthem". [5] Village People singer Randy Jones describes the song as "a gay liberation statement, aimed directly at gays and lesbians who were standing up without apology for their lifestyle" and as the group's "first gay liberation song". [6] He says that the theme of the song is the virtue of being yourself, and not just if you're gay or transgender but even just if you want to dress in an unusual manner, as long as you don't hurt anyone else. [6] Co-writer Willis similar says that the theme is not limited to gays but that "we're saying to everyone – be who you are. We're for people liberation." [7] Michael DeAngelis describes the theme as being "pride and faithfulness to the individual and authentic self." [8] DeAngelis notes that this theme had particular resonance at the time, when the gay community was in the process of "coming out" and a general cultural obsession was finding healthy ways to feel good about oneself. [8] Frédéric Martel identifies "I Am What I Am" as one of five Village People songs that were touchstones to the gay movement in France when they came out ("San Francisco (You've Got Me)", "Macho Man", "Y.M.C.A." and "In the Navy" being the others). [9]

Judith A. Peraino described "I Am What I Am" as a "hit single" while Boze Hadleigh described it as a "pre-hit". [10] [11] Sharon Davis claimed that lyrics are "so camp they have to held down with tent pegs." [12] But Billboard described it as "provocative", describing it as a "gay pride anthem with its activist lyrics and basic theme." [13] Billboard also praised the rhythm and percussion and horn arrangements. [13] AllMusic critic Amy Hanson described it as "a well-constructed slab of groove", despite lacking subtlety. [14] Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider regarded "I Am What I Am" as the best song on Macho Man stating that Willis' voice is "full of anger and delight" on the song and concluding that "because the song seems so committed, it makes the rest of the material sound downright pointless." [5]

Classic Rock History critic Brian Kachejian rated it the Village People's 5th greatest song, calling it "a song of tremendous empowerment in standing up for the rights of gays and lesbians at the time." [15]

Reebok later used the title phrase for a successful trainers advertising campaign. [16]

"Key West"

The b-side of the "I Am What I Am" single was "Key West". Like "I Am What I Am", "Key West" was part of the medley that reached #4 on the Billboard Dance Chart and Peraino also described "Key West" as a "hit single". [1] [10] Jones described "Key West" as "a salute to the Florida town that Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, along with gay men and women, had made a vacation destination." [6] He noted that it is a "gay friendly resort" that is so "different-thinking" that it remained in the Union despite Florida seceding in the Civil War. [6] Author Chuck Eddy describes "Key West" as one of the Village People's "small hits" and one of several of their songs to "stump for substitute utopias...where there's plenty of 'unity,' 'happiness,' 'liberation' and 'togetherness.' [17] "Key West" has been included on several Village People greatest hits compilation albums. [18]

Charts

Chart (1979)Peak
position
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [19]
"Macho Man"/"Key West"/"I Am What I Am"		4 [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Y.M.C.A. (song)</span> 1978 single by Village People

"Y.M.C.A." is a song by American disco group Village People. It was released in October 1978 as the only single from their third studio album, Cruisin' (1978). The song was written by Jacques Morali and singer Victor Willis. A medley with "Hot Cop" reached No. 2 on Billboard's Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart, while the song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in early 1979, placing behind both "Le Freak" by Chic and "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" by Rod Stewart. Outside the US, "Y.M.C.A." reached No. 1 in the UK around the same time, becoming the group's biggest hit. It has sold 12 million copies worldwide.

<i>Desperado</i> (Eagles album) 1973 studio album by The Eagles

Desperado is the second studio album by the American band the Eagles. It was released on April 17, 1973, by Asylum Records. The album was produced by Glyn Johns and was recorded at Island Studios in London, England. The songs on Desperado are based on the themes of the Old West. The band members are featured on the album's cover dressed like an outlaw gang; Desperado remains the only Eagles album where the band members appear on the front cover.

Leroy Frank Van Dyke is an American country music and honky-tonk singer and guitarist, best known for his hits "The Auctioneer" (1956) and "Walk on By" (1961).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peace of Mind (Boston song)</span> 1977 single by Boston

"Peace of Mind" is a song by American rock band Boston, written by Tom Scholz, the band's founder, lead guitarist and primary songwriter. It released on their 1976 self-titled debut, and released again the next year as the third and final single from the album. It peaked at number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1977, as well as number 33 on the Cash Box Top 100. It received substantial radio airplay, both upon the initial release of the Boston album and subsequently, and has been described as a "rock-radio staple".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macho Man (song)</span> 1978 single by Village People

"Macho Man" is a song by American disco group Village People, released as the second single and title song of their eponymous album (1978). The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 on June 24, 1978 before picking up more airplay that August. It became the Village People's first charting hit in the United States, peaking on the Hot 100 at number 25 on the week of September 2.

<i>Starting Over</i> (Raspberries album) 1974 studio album by Raspberries

Starting Over is the fourth and final studio album by the 1970s power pop band Raspberries. It peaked at #143 on the Billboard pop album chart in 1974. The LP generated the #18 Billboard pop single "Overnight Sensation ," while a second single, "Cruisin' Music", did not chart. This was the first album by the Raspberries to feature songs with profanity. Those songs were “Starting Over”, which featured the word "fucking" once, and the song “Party’s Over”, which featured the word "shit" twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go West (song)</span> 1979 single by Village People

"Go West" is a song by American disco group Village People, released in June 1979 as the second single from their fourth studio album of the same name (1979). The song was written by Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead singer Victor Willis. It was successful in the disco scene during the late 1970s. "Go West" found further success when it was covered in 1993 by English synth-pop duo Pet Shop Boys.

<i>Macho Man</i> (album) 1978 studio album by Village People

Macho Man is the second studio album by Village People, released on February 27, 1978. The album gained success due to its hit singles, "Macho Man" and "Key West". Rolling Stone said of the album, "It seems certain to become the first out-and-out disco album without John Travolta on its cover ever to be certified platinum".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Listen to What the Man Said</span>

"Listen to What the Man Said" is a hit single from Wings' 1975 album Venus and Mars. The song featured new member Joe English on drums, with guest musicians Dave Mason on guitar and Tom Scott on soprano saxophone. It was a number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US the week of July 19, 1975 and reached number 1 in Canada on the RPM National Top Singles Chart. It also reached number 6 in the UK, and reached the top ten in Norway and New Zealand and the top twenty in the Netherlands. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need a Man (Eurythmics song)</span> 1988 single by Eurythmics

"I Need a Man" is a song recorded by British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was written by band members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart and produced by Stewart. Taken from their sixth album, Savage (1987), the song was released as the third single in the UK and the first single in the United States.

"I Am What I Am" is a song originally introduced in the Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles. The song is the finale number of the musical's first act, and performed by the character of Albin Mougeotte, first played by George Hearn. His version appears on the original cast album released in 1983. The song was composed by Jerry Herman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Blooded</span> 1978 single by Foreigner

"Hot Blooded" is a song by the British-American rock band Foreigner, from their second studio album Double Vision. It was released as a single in June 1978 and reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that September. The single was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It is also the theme song to the truTV scripted series Tacoma FD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold the Line</span> 1978 single by Toto

"Hold the Line" is a song by American rock band Toto from their 1978 eponymous debut studio album. Written by the band's keyboardist David Paich, the lead vocals on the song were performed by Bobby Kimball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Francisco (You've Got Me)</span> 1977 Village People song

"San Francisco (You've Got Me)" is the debut single by the American disco group Village People. It was released in 1977 as the lead single from their self-titled debut studio album. The song reached number fifteen on the Australian Kent Music Report and peaked at number two on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ride My See-Saw</span> 1968 single by The Moody Blues

"Ride My See-Saw" is a 1968 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by the band's bassist John Lodge, and was first released on the Moody Blues' 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord. It was the second of two singles from that album, the other being "Voices in the Sky".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am... I Said</span> 1971 single by Neil Diamond

"I Am... I Said" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond. Released as a single on March 15, 1971, it was quite successful, at first slowly climbing the charts, then more quickly rising to number 4 on the U.S. pop singles chart by May 1971. It fared similarly across the Atlantic, reaching number 4 on the UK pop singles chart as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Village People</span> American disco group

Village People is an American disco group known for its on-stage costumes and suggestive lyrics in their music. The group was originally formed by French producers Jacques Morali, Henri Belolo and lead singer Victor Willis following the release of the debut album Village People, which targeted disco's large gay audience. The group's name refers to Manhattan's Greenwich Village, with its reputation as a gay neighborhood. The characters were a symbolic group of American masculinity and macho gay-fantasy personas. To date, Willis is the only original member still remaining with the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Real Men (song)</span> 1982 single by Joe Jackson

"Real Men" is a song by British singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1982 as the lead single from his fifth studio album Night and Day. It was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and David Kershenbaum. The song became a hit only in the Dutch language area and Australia. In the Dutch Top 40 it reached the 15th position, and in the Flemish Radio 2 Top 30 it reached the 25th position. "Real Men" reached No. 89 in the UK and No. 6 in Australia. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Steve Barron. The song was covered by Tori Amos on her 2001 album of gender-swapped covers, Strange Little Girls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Cop</span> 1978 single by Village People

"Hot Cop" is a song by the American disco group Village People recorded for their third studio album Cruisin' (1978). It was written by Jacques Morali and Village People lead singer Victor Willis. It served as Willis' theme song with the Village People. Although not released as a single, it was a disco hit. A medley with "Y.M.C.A." reached number 2 on Billboard's Hot Disco Singles chart.

This is the discography of American disco group Village People.

References

  1. 1 2 "Village People awards". AllMusic . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  2. ↑ "I Am What I Am". AllMusic . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  3. ↑ Warner, J. (1992). The Da Capo Book of American Singing Groups: A History, 1940-1990. Da Capo. p.  515. ISBN   9780306809231.
  4. ↑ "Thank God It's Friday soundtrack". IMDb . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  5. 1 2 Schneider, Mitchell. "The Village People – Macho Man (Rolling Stone review)". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Jones, R. & Bego, M. (2009). Macho Man: The Disco Era and Gay America's "Coming Out". ABC-CLIO. pp. 84. 183. ISBN   9780275999629.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ↑ "City catches machomania". Edmonton Journal. January 29, 1979. p. A14. Retrieved 2020-05-21– via newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 DeAngelis, M. (2001). Gay Fandom and Crossover Stardom: James Dean, Mel Gibson, and Keanu Reeves . Duke University Press. p.  137. ISBN   9780822327387.
  9. ↑ Martel, F. (1999). The Pink and the Black: Homosexuals in France Since 1968. Stanford University Press. p. 366. ISBN   9780804732741.
  10. 1 2 Peraino, J.A. (2005). Listening to the Sirens: Musical Technologies of Queer Identity from Homer to Hedwig. University of California Press. p. 182. ISBN   9780520921740.
  11. ↑ Hadleigh, B. (1991). Sing Out!: Gays and Lesbians in the Music World. Barricade Books. p.  32. ISBN   9781569801161.
  12. ↑ Davis, S. (2012). Every Chart Topper Tells a Story: The Seventies. Random House. ISBN   9781780574103.
  13. 1 2 "Disco". Billboard Magazine . March 25, 1978. p. 150. Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  14. ↑ Hanson, A. "Macho Man". AllMusic . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  15. ↑ Kachejian, Brian (20 July 2021). "Top 10 Village People Songs". Classic Rock History. Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  16. ↑ Magill, R.J. (2012). Sincerity: How a Moral Ideal Born Five Hundred Years Ago Inspired Religious Wars, Modern Art, Hipster Chic, and the Curious Notion that We All Have Something to Say (no Matter how Dull). W.W. Norton. pp.  219–220. ISBN   9780393080988.
  17. ↑ Eddy, C. (2011). Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism. Duke University Press. p.  250. ISBN   9780822350101.
  18. ↑ "Key West". AllMusic . Retrieved 2014-09-01.
  19. ↑ "Village People Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. ↑ "National Disco Action Top 40" (PDF). Billboard Magazine. April 8, 1978. p. 65. Retrieved 2020-05-21.
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.