Who You Are
G. Scott Lyrics


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You always go out of your way to impress me
Don't you know by now, ain't no need to impress me
I'm impressed every time you smile
When I feel like you mean to smile

You can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Every morning when you wake up you put on a new disguise
How long did you long did you think it would take me to realize?
Girl, the things you wore ain't real
You never tell me just how you feel

Girl you can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are

People never seem to want to be themselves
So they end up running in circles confused
Yeah, confused
Just like everyone else

Every morning when you wake up you put on a new disguise
Just how long did you think it would take me to realize
That the things you wore ain't real
You never just how you feel

When you could be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Yeah, when you are who you are, yeah
Oh, when you are who you are, yeah
When you are who you are, yeah
When you are who you are
Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it

When you are who you are, yeah
Oh when you are who you are, yeah




Oh when you are who you are, yeah
Oh when you are who you are

Overall Meaning

In G. Scott's song "Who You Are," the singer expresses to their partner that they do not need to put on a show or wear a facade to impress them. The partner is constantly changing, wearing different disguises every morning, which the singer notices but does not judge. The singer wants their partner to be comfortable with themselves and to embrace their true self, expressing that they are beautiful just the way they are. The chorus of the song emphasizes this message, repeating "When you are who you are" multiple times.


The lyrics suggest that people too often try to present a perfect or idealized version of themselves to impress others, rather than being their authentic selves. The singer wants their partner to understand that they are impressed by who they truly are, and not by the masks they wear. The bridge of the song speaks to the broader struggle of people feeling confused and lost when they try to be someone they are not.


The song's message is one of self-love and acceptance, encouraging listeners to be true to themselves and not feel pressured to conform to societal standards or expectations. It highlights the importance of authenticity and genuine connections in relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

You always go out of your way to impress me
You constantly try to impress me, but you don't have to because I am already impressed by you.


Don't you know by now, ain't no need to impress me
I wish you would understand that you don't have to go the extra mile to impress me.


I'm impressed every time you smile
Your smile is enough to impress me, and I am always happy when I see it.


When I feel like you mean to smile
I can tell when you are genuinely happy and smiling, and it makes me even more impressed by you.


You can be so very beautiful
You have great potential to be beautiful.


When you are who you are
When you are authentic and true to yourself, you are the most beautiful version of yourself.


Every morning when you wake up you put on a new disguise
You change yourself every day to please others and hide who you truly are.


How long did you long did you think it would take me to realize?
I have known for a while now that you are not being yourself.


Girl, the things you wore ain't real
The things you put on to hide yourself are not real and don't represent who you truly are.


You never tell me just how you feel
You keep your true feelings hidden and don't share them with me, which prevents me from truly knowing who you are.


People never seem to want to be themselves
People often choose to hide who they truly are and put on false personas instead of being authentic.


So they end up running in circles confused
This often leads to confusion and a lack of direction in life since they are not being true to themselves.


Just like everyone else
This is a common problem that affects many people.


When you could be so very beautiful
You have the potential to be truly beautiful if you just embrace who you are and stop hiding behind a mask.


Yeah, when you are who you are, yeah
Being authentic is the key to being truly beautiful and happy.




Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: BRIAN JACKSON, GIL SCOTT-HERON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@MrJan3327

When You Are Who You Are

You always go out of your way to impress me
Don't you know by now, ain't no need to impress me
I'm impressed every time you smile
When I feel like you mean to smile
You can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Every morning when you wake up you put on a new disguise
How long did you long did you think it would take me to realize?
Girl, the things you wore ain't real
You never tell me just how you feel
Girl you can be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
People never seem to want to be themselves
So they end up running in circles confused
Yeah, confused
Just like everyone else
Every morning when you wake up you put on a new disguise
Just how long did you think it would take me to realize
That the things you wore ain't real
You never just how you feel
When you could be so very beautiful
When you are who you are
Yeah, when you are who you are, yeah
Oh, when you are who you are, yeah
When you are who you are, yeah
When you are who you are
Get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it, get it
When you are who you are, yeah
Oh when you are who you are, yeah
Oh when you are who you are, yeah
Oh when you are who you are

Compositores: Brian Jackson / Gil Scott-Heron



All comments from YouTube:

@mhlabamaluleka735

Damn!! This music.
Being touched here in Africa by this great African-American. Great music

@mimisatou1

Yes! Where from?
Youtube @Ra Khaanam BAMM TV

@ramonrios3811

Indubitably!

@mimisatou1

To have met him would have been dynamite! Wooo that electric guitar, traps, brass, piano etc... love it! This song is sooooo beautiful and relevant! Yes...when you are who you are:) Get it get it?

@TheShabazzProduction

When you are who you are. Our very special brother who was so unique.

@DannySullivanMusic

yes. entirely right!

@mimisatou1

Indeed

@Richnsoul

Last weekend this was played at least twice over the Blackpool Soul Weekender in the Gallows / Old Vic room and it went down a storm and I LOVE it Shows the depth of this man , and we need to see more DJ's playing more than 'The Bottle.'. KTF. R

@markblee3972

About as good as it gets! Pure quality!

@PaulettaNelson

I love me some Gil!!!!  May he rest in peace......

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