In the late 1980s Brickell was the lead singer with the (now renamed) folk-rock group Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, whose 1988 debut album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars was a critical and commercial success. The band's follow-up album, Ghost of a Dog (1990), fared less well. As a solo artist, Brickell released Picture Perfect Morning (1994) and Volcano (2003). In 2006 she reunited with some of the original members of the New Bohemians and they released the Stranger Things album.
Brickell had a role as a folk singer in the 1989 film Born on the Fourth of July. Her version of Bob Dylan's "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" is featured on the film's soundtrack. Many computer users know her from the "Good Times" video which was included as part of the multimedia samples on the Windows 95 installation CD-ROM.
Brickell married songwriter Paul Simon in 1992. They have three children.
What I Am
Edie Brickell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
I'm not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box
Religion is the smile on a dog
I know what I know, if you know what I mean, do doo yeah
Shove me in the shallow waters
Before I get too deep
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or?
Oh, I'm not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
Philosophy is a walk on the slippery rocks
Religion is a light in the fog
I'm not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean, do doo yeah
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what you are is?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what
Ha la la ha
I say, I say, I say, I do
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Shove me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Don't let me get too deep
Don't let me get too deep
Don't let me get too deep
Don't let me get too deep
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what you are is?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are or what?
The lyrics to Edie Brickell and New Bohemians' song "What I Am" are a reflection of the singer's self-awareness and individualism. The repeated phrase "I'm not aware of too many things, I know what I know, if you know what I mean" implies that the singer is not interested in conforming to societal expectations or following blindly in the footsteps of others. She is content with her own knowledge and perspective, and values her own unique experiences and insights.
The lines "Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box, Religion is the smile on a dog" suggest that the singer does not find much value in established systems of thought or belief. Instead, she seems to be advocating for a more personal and intuitive approach to understanding the world. The line "shove me in the shallow waters before I get too deep" can be interpreted as a desire to avoid getting too caught up in intellectual or spiritual pursuits, and instead staying grounded in the tangible aspects of life.
Overall, the song seems to be a celebration of individuality and a rejection of societal norms and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not aware of too many things
I have limited knowledge and understanding
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
I am confident in my own knowledge and understanding, and hope that you can relate
Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box
Philosophy is often simplified and commercialized for mass consumption
Religion is the smile on a dog
Religion can bring joy and comfort, even in seemingly small and unexpected ways
Shove me in the shallow waters, Before I get too deep
Please keep me grounded and prevent me from becoming too absorbed or overwhelmed
What I am is what I am, Are you what you are or what?
I am true to myself, are you comfortable being true to yourself or conforming to the expectations of others?
Ha la la ha, I say, I say, I say, I do, Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
These nonsensical phrases serve as playful interjections, perhaps meant to lighten the tone of the lyrics
Don't let me get too deep, Don't let me get too deep
Please prevent me from becoming too consumed or lost within my own thoughts or feelings
What I am is what I am, Are you what you are or what you are is?
I am content with who I am, do you define yourself by your own identity or by external factors?
What I am is what I am, Are you what you are or what?
I am true to myself, do you prioritize your own authenticity or a desire to fit in with others?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Edie Arlisa Brickell, Kenneth Neil Withrow, John Bradley Houser, John Walter Bush, Brandon Aly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@matiasocampo4226
Who's listening to this one in 2024? Eddie for ever and ever
@pabbend
🙌👋🥰 a thousand times more better handcrafted and honest than als this senseles mainstream taylor shi…
@sonabarnes6670
👍
@Bristecom
I'm familiar with a lot of 80's and 90's songs but somehow I only just heard (or noticed) this song for the first time today. It sounded like a mid-late 90's style song but am surprised to see it was actually made in 88. Definitely ahead of its time and still sounds good today.
@daniellepetro1857
Meeee
@RAMcKissick
What I am? Still listening.
@Erfedwe
I had the good fortune to see Edie open for the Grateful Dead in July 1990. It is hard to believe that it has been almost 34 years.
@carlmontney7916
RIP Brad Houser. Your fretless bass work on this tune is awesome.
@youtubeuser206
I can see the frets on his bass tho
@JamesWilsonMD
@@youtubeuser206This is a music video, it's not live 😂