I Am What I Am – English Lyrics

• By: Village People

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of disco with the Village People's iconic "I Am What I Am." This song is a powerful anthem of self-acceptance and pride, offering a fantastic opportunity to explore English vocabulary related to identity, empowerment, and social movements. Its clear, direct message and catchy rhythm make it an engaging way to understand how music can reflect and shape cultural narratives, encouraging you to embrace who you are.

[English]

I am, I am, what I am,

What I am

What I am,

I am, I am, what I am,

I'll be, I'll be

People have the right to be just who they are

People have the right to share all of their love

People have the right to share just what they give

The right to their free will

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man

I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world

I said I am what I a-a-am,

Say it, say it y'all

I am, I am, what I am

I am, I am, what I am,

People have the right, regardless of their skin

People have the right to let God's love come in

People have the right to truly be yourfriend

To love is not a sin

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man

I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world

Everybody, everybody say it with me y'all

I am, I am, what I am

I am, what I am,

People have the right to live with who they please

People have the right to live there happily

No one has the right to choose my love for me

I was born free

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, I am just a man

I was born into this wor-or-orld, Born into this world

Oh, I am what I a-a-am

I did not choose the way I am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I am, This is my fellow man

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

I said I am what I a-a-am, Please try to understand

I did not choose the way I a-a-am, I did not choose the way I am

Hey, I am what I a-a-am

[I did not choose the way I am]

[This is my fellow man] You've get to love everybody

[Please try to understand] - Everybody was born into this wor-or-orld

...

[I did not choose the way I am]

[I am just a man]

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
right /raɪt/ A1	noun - a moral or legal entitlement to do or have something adjective - morally good or justified
choose /tʃuːz/ A1	verb - to select something or someone from a group
love /lʌv/ A1	noun - a deep affection or emotional attachment verb - to have a deep affection for someone
free /friː/ A1	adjective - not under the control or power of another
share /ʃɛər/ A1	verb - to use or have something jointly with others
born /bɔːrn/ A2	verb - to be produced or given life
fellow /ˈfɛloʊ/ A2	noun - a man or boy
understand /ˌʌndərˈstænd/ A2	verb - to perceive the intended meaning of something
regardless /rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/ B1	adjective - without regard or consideration for
happily /ˈhæpɪli/ A2	adverb - in a happy manner
truly /ˈtruːli/ A2	adverb - in accordance with fact or reality
skin /skɪn/ A1	noun - the soft outer tissue covering of vertebrates
will /wɪl/ A1	noun - the faculty of conscious and especially of deliberate action
please /pliːz/ A1	verb - to give pleasure or satisfaction to
man /mæn/ A1	noun - an adult human male
world /wɜːrld/ A1	noun - the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features

Key Grammar Structures

• People have the right to be just who they are

  ➔ Simple present + modal verb ‘have’ + infinitive

  ➔ People "have" the right to "be" just who they are.

• I did not choose the way I am

  ➔ Past simple negative + infinitive clause

  ➔ I "did not choose" the way I am.

• I am just a man

  ➔ Simple present – verb ‘to be’ + noun complement

  ➔ I "am" just a man.

• Please try to understand

  ➔ Imperative + infinitive

  ➔ "Please try" to understand.

• I was born into this world

  ➔ Passive voice (past simple) + prepositional phrase

  ➔ I "was born" into this world.

• Everybody, everybody say it with me y'all

  ➔ Imperative (plural) with colloquial address

  ➔ "say" it with me y'all.

• I said I am what I am

  ➔ Reported speech / quoting with present simple

  ➔ "I said" I am what I am.

• To love is not a sin

  ➔ Infinitive as subject

  ➔ "To love" is not a sin.