Born in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, with his parents Mr. & Mrs. William Gilman Jr., Gilman first received notice as a performer at age seven, attracting the attention of a local vocal coach, Angela Bacari, who later became his manager. Eventually he met with Ray Benson (of Asleep at the Wheel) who helped him record demos, including "Roly Poly". Two months later he was signed by Sony Music Nashville.
His 2000 debut album, One Voice, had a very widely-played single that crossed over well into top 40 airplay. The album reached multi-platinum status, and earned a Grammy nomination. Generally touted as a child prodigy, Gilman appeared on various talk shows. Classic Christmas (which was certified gold) was released later in the year.
He released Dare to Dream (certified gold) on Sony BMG Music Entertainment/Epic Records in 2001, and in 2003 released Music Through Heartsongs, an album inspired by the poetry of Mattie Stepanek. Later in 2003, he performed at a benefit for The Station nightclub fire. In May 2005, he released Everything and More, his first album since his voice changed.
Billy's latest album, self-titled, was released in September 2006 on the Image Entertainment label. The first single off the upcoming album, Southern Star, heralds a return to his country music roots. Billy is scheduled to begin working on his next album with Eddie Galan and Andrew Lane of Trilogy Productions.
I am
Billy Gilman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am all skins in between
I am young, I am old
I am each age that has been
I am scrawny, I am fed
I am starving for attention
I am famous, I am cryptic
I am short, I am height
I am any frame or stature
I am smart, I am challenged
I am striving for a future
The color of sky
Is blues and grays
The color of earth
Is greens and browns
The color of hope
Is rainbows and purple
And the color peace
Is people together
Shades of life
People together
Shades of life
I am
I am able, I am weak
I am some strength, I am none
I am being, I am thought
I am all things, said and done
I am born, I am died
I am dust of humble roots
I am grace, I am pain
I am labor of willed fruits
I am slave, I am free
I am bonded to my life
I am rich, I am poor
The color of sky
Is blues and grays
The color of earth
Is greens and browns
The color of hope
Is rainbows and purple
And the color peace
Is people together
Shades of life
People together
Shades of life
I am
I am shadow, I am glory
I am hiding from my shame
I am hero, I am loser
I am yearning for a name
I am empty, I am proud
I am seeking my tomorrow
I am growing, I am fading
I am hope amid the sorrow
I am certain, I am doubtful
I am desperate for solutions
I am leader, I am student
I am fate and evolutions
I am spirit, I am voice
I am memory, not recalled
I am chance, I am cause
I am effort, blocked and walled
I am hymn, I am heard
I am reasoned without rhymes
I am past, I am nearing
I am present in all times
I am many, I am no one
I am seasoned by each being
I am me, I am you
I am all-souls now decreeing
The color of sky
Is blues and grays
The color of earth
Is greens and browns
The color of hope
Is rainbows and purple
And the color peace
Is people together
Shades of life
People together
Shades of life
I am
In "I Am" by Billy Gilman, the lyrics describe the idea that we are all human, regardless of any physical or societal differences we may have. The singer lists off different characteristics such as age, race, height, status, and intelligence, to show that these differences do not define him or anyone else. Instead, he suggests that we're all a unique blend of various traits and experiences. The song's lyrics also touch on the idea that while we may feel isolated or different at times, we are all interconnected and part of a larger community.
The chorus describes the different colors of life and how they all come together to create a beautiful and diverse world. The color of hope is rainbows and purple while the color of peace is people together. The shades of life that people bring, despite their differences, can blend together to create a vibrant tapestry.
Line by Line Meaning
I am black, I am white
I embrace all races, including mine and those different from me
I am all skins in between
I accept every shade of skin color and the diversity it brings
I am young, I am old
I represent all ages and stages of life
I am each age that has been
I acknowledge the past, present, and future generations and their contributions
I am scrawny, I am fed
I have experienced both being underfed and being nourished
I am starving for attention
I have felt neglected and unimportant
I am famous, I am cryptic
I have been in the public eye and also hidden from the world
I am hardly worth a mention
I understand what it feels like to be overlooked
I am short, I am height
I recognize the beauty in both tall and short statures
I am any frame or stature
I honor all body types, shapes, and sizes
I am smart, I am challenged
I appreciate intellect, but also the struggles of those who face learning difficulties
I am striving for a future
I have aspirations for a better tomorrow
The color of sky
The sky, which represents limitless possibilities and potential
Is blues and grays
Is filled with shades of blue and gray that shift depending on the weather and time of day
The color of earth
The earth, which represents solidity and grounding
Is greens and browns
Is comprised of various shades of green and brown that display its natural beauty
The color of hope
Hope, which represents optimism and positivity
Is rainbows and purple
Is embodied by the colorful display of rainbows and the regal hue of purple
And the color peace
Peace, which represents harmony and tranquility
Is people together
Is achieved by uniting people across differences and establishing mutual respect and understanding
Shades of life
Life, which encompasses the complexities and diversities of human experience
I am able, I am weak
I have moments of strength and moments of vulnerability
I am some strength, I am none
I recognize that I am not always strong, and that it's okay to be vulnerable
I am being, I am thought
I exist both as a physical being and as a thought or idea
I am all things, said and done
I am the culmination of all my experiences and actions
I am born, I am died
I recognize the cyclical nature of life and death
I am dust of humble roots
I come from humble beginnings and honor my roots
I am grace, I am pain
I have experienced both moments of grace and moments of pain
I am labor of willed fruits
I have worked hard to achieve my goals, and reap the rewards of my efforts
I am slave, I am free
I have experienced oppression and liberation
I am bonded to my life
I am connected to my life, my experiences, and my surroundings
I am rich, I am poor
I have experienced both abundance and scarcity
I am shadow, I am glory
I have experienced both low and high points in my life
I am hiding from my shame
I have felt the need to hide parts of myself out of shame or embarrassment
I am hero, I am loser
I have moments of being a hero and of being defeated
I am yearning for a name
I desire recognition and acknowledgement for my achievements and contributions
I am empty, I am proud
I have moments of emptiness and pride
I am seeking my tomorrow
I am hopeful for the future and yearn for what's to come
I am growing, I am fading
I am constantly evolving, but also aware of my eventual mortality
I am hope amid the sorrow
I believe in the possibility of hope and positivity, even in the midst of hardship
I am certain, I am doubtful
I have moments of clarity and moments of uncertainty
I am desperate for solutions
I recognize the need for change and solutions to problems
I am leader, I am student
I have the capacity to be both a leader and a student
I am fate and evolutions
I have the power to shape my own destiny, but also recognize the impact of larger forces
I am spirit, I am voice
I am both a spiritual being and have the ability to share my voice with the world
I am memory, not recalled
I have memories and experiences that may be forgotten by others or difficult to recall
I am chance, I am cause
I exist in a world of chance and possibility, but also have the power to make things happen
I am effort, blocked and walled
I have worked hard for my achievements, but have also felt blocked or faced obstacles
I am hymn, I am heard
I have the capacity to create and share music or art with others
I am reasoned without rhymes
I am capable of using reason and logic, even in situations that may lack order or pattern
I am past, I am nearing
I recognize the importance of the past, but am also nearing the future
I am present in all times
I exist in the present, but also carry the memories and experiences of the past and the hopes for the future
I am many, I am no one
I am made up of various identities and experiences, but also recognize the universality of human experience
I am seasoned by each being
I am influenced by the people I meet and the experiences I have with them
I am me, I am you
I recognize the interconnectedness and shared humanity between myself and others
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: DAVID E. N MALLORY, BRUCE ROBERTS, MATTIE N STEPANEK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leslie Farley
I think this song is absolutely beautiful!! Billy did such a wonderful thing by using Mattie's poems as his songs!! What a wonderful tribute Billy did for his close friend Mattie!! :)
Kimmysports
Who could not like this song. Its a great song with a good meaning.
Ookami0Sama
wow, i used to have this cd, and i listened to it all the time, especially this song, it was one of my favorites, along with his other song, one voice, damn, my mom and i would watch the video whenever it would play on tv back in the day....it was just such a beautiful song, and i listen to some really beautiful music, so i know what im talking about when i say that billy gilman is a genius
Jeanie Linton
i grew up listening to him! LOVE THIS SONG!
Jacob Black
I heard this when I was younger and I didn't know that Mattie wrote this. Now that I know, it's amazing. It's such a beautiful poem and song. IT's a tear jerker.
Emilyann Rivera
mattie is the one who wrote all the poems that billy sings
Roger Smith
i love this song RIP MATTIE!!!!
Nemat Begzad
This song is so AMAZING LIKE I ASK MY TEACHER LETS HAVE THIS SONG FOR MY ASSEMBLY FOR THIS AMAZING SONG
HJ Rhoades
It's such a brilliant lyric from a little kid.
Flora Dancer2
wow my first time hearing the full song it is amazing what messages are in songs wow