Though best known for their instrumental hit "Pick Up the Pieces," the band's strength lies in their consistently accomplished songwriting, stretching across several gold-selling albums and multi-Grammy nominations for Atlantic Records. Despite their Scottish roots, the six-piece band developed their own "authentic" sound influenced by R&B heroes such as Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Donny Hathaway, which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere.
Many of the band's cuts, such as "Cut The Cake" and "Let's Go 'Round Again," attracted chart action as hit singles, while album tracks like "Schoolboy Crush" and "Person to Person" became much-sampled "rare" grooves. Other tunes like "Cloudy," "A Love Of Your Own," and "Nothing You Can Do" stand alongside some of the finest soul album tracks ever recorded.
The current lineup of the band, with noted US musicians alongside founding members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre, continues to delight audiences and critics alike in its wide-ranging touring. The musical energy and trademark sound are remarkably true to the original, and with constant revisitation and re-workings of AWB's, and others' classics in the mix, it is no surprise that the Average White Band is now a multi-generational attraction and a perennial fixture with many of the top music venues.
I'm the One
Average White Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Maybe I'm not like you
And maybe they just put you here
To see what I would do
Well maybe I'm a fool
Well, is religion just a story
Well, how can I believe
In something I can't see
Well maybe I'm a fool
Is this how I spend my time
A madman writing words that rhyme
Well maybe I'm a fool
Well maybe I'm a fool
And maybe you are too!
In "I'm the One" by Average White Band, the lyrics explore themes of self-identity, individuality, and questioning beliefs. The song begins by acknowledging differences between people, suggesting that the singer and the listener may not be alike. It then suggests that others may have placed the listener in the singer's life to observe their actions and reactions.
The lyrics express uncertainty and introspection, as the singer questions the nature of religion and belief. They ponder if religion is merely a story or a concept imposed upon them. The line "Well, how can I believe in something I can't see" highlights the struggle of having faith in something intangible. This internal conflict is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "Well maybe I'm a fool," suggesting a willingness to explore different perspectives and question one's own beliefs.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of introspection and self-doubt. The singer wonders if their pursuit of writing lyrics and creating rhymes is a worthwhile way to spend their time or if it is a sign of being a "madman." The final statement "Well maybe I'm a fool/ And maybe you are too!" suggests that perhaps everyone is foolish in their own way, encouraging self-reflection and empathy.
Overall, "I'm the One" by Average White Band delves into themes of personal identity, the nature of belief, and the constant questioning that arises when examining oneself and the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Well maybe you're not like me
Perhaps you and I are different individuals
Maybe I'm not like you
Perhaps I am also different from you
And maybe they just put you here
Possibly someone placed you in this situation
To see what I would do
To observe and understand my actions
Well maybe I'm a fool
It's possible that I am foolish
Well, is religion just a story
Can religious beliefs be merely a narrative
Or a concept you gave to me?
Or an idea that you bestowed upon me?
Well, how can I believe
But how can I have faith
In something I can't see
In something that is not visible to me
Is this how I spend my time
Is this how I choose to utilize my time
A madman writing words that rhyme
A crazed individual penning rhyming verses
Well maybe I'm a fool
Perhaps I am indeed foolish
Well maybe I'm a fool
Well, it's conceivable that I am a fool
And maybe you are too!
And perhaps you are also a fool!
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Don Matney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kin Crawford
The opening of this song, when the horns kick in, is seriously cold blooded.
Vicsawarrior
Too cold 🥶
Ruben Tucker
Love this funky song 🎵 I'm the one that wants you....thank you Lord 😊
darrell brockman
I've been listening to average white band since I was 14. I'm now 60. attended their concert on Cincinnati on June 23. man haven't lost a beat . Keep rocking awb
A Robertson
I'm 61 and I remember waiting for the bus outside Jr HS on the way home in 1974. A friend of mine had a cassett recorder. She said " I want you to listen to these bad ass white boys. They call themselves the Average White Band." She played Pick up the Pieces. I have been hooked ever since
kelvin j
My pops want me to blast this in full right now !!!
Robyn McDonnell
I was graduating from high school in '76 and I just knew I was destined to meet and fall in love with one of them, didn't matter which one. I was truly one of their biggest fans in the US. My brother was stationed in Europe in the early 70's and sent me AWB on a friggin reel to reel. I was in love. That falsetto, funky bass with the smooth groove of the sax,,,OM sweet bejesus. This is the good stuff
norakat
So you’ve yet to meet and marry one?
Perry Pickens
I became an AWB fan; when I was a teenager in High School back in the early 70's. I had absolutely NO QUALMS, about this Band. In fact; it's a Plus-then and now-that such Talent has PROVEN, they can come from anywhere on Earth...and still have THE FUNK! Yeah, they're THAT GOOD!!
Luis Nascimento
as melhores músicas das antigas da vontade voltar no tempo so quem curtiu