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
I wanna have a little pride in
My world
It's not a place I have to hide in

Life's not worth a damn
'Til you can say
Hey world, 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 feather and each spangle?
Why not
Try and see things from a different angle?

Your life is a sham
'Til you can shout
Out loud, I am what I am

I am what I am
Well, I don't want praise and I don't want pity
And I bang my own drum
Some think it's noise, well, I think it's pretty

It's my song
If you don't like the style I'm bringing
My song
So at least respect my right to sing it

Your life is a sham
'Til you can shout
Out loud, I am what I am

I am what I am
And what I am needs no excuses
I deal my own deck
Sometimes the ace, sometimes the deuces

There's one life
There's no return and no deposit
One life
It's time to open up your closet

Life's not worth a damn
Until you can say
Hey world, I am what I am

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 high time
That I blow my horn and sound my trumpet
High time
And if you don't like it you can lump it

Life's not worth a damn
Until you can say
Hey world, I am what I am

It's our song
If you don't like the style we're bringing
Our song
At least respect our right to sing it

Your life is a sham
Until you can say
Hey world, I am what I am

Your life is a sham
Until you can say
Hey world, I am what I am