Her first album, titled Who We Are, was released September 6, 2005. Her first on-screen national exposure was performing a song from the album on the September 9, 2005 edition of The Tonight Show with the song Sick Inside.
Prior to the release of her album, her song, Whatever Comes Our Way, was the theme to the The WB comedy Living With Fran, starring Fran Drescher. In the summer of 2005, she toured with Jesse McCartney, acting as his open act.
In November 2005, as part of the label's restructuring, Virgin made the decision to drop Partlow's contract. Hope's music remained on iTunes, and she appeared on such outlets as teen network The N to promote her album. In February 2007, Hope announced on her Myspace blog that she has given up waiting for a record label to sign her. Prior to that, she announced an upcoming acoustic album and a tour, which is set to start in April 2007. In April 2007, Hope announced, also on Myspace, that she had teamed up with guitarist Ryan Wilson to form a new duo act, Hope & Ryan. The new Myspace profile featured a demo by the two, titled "Try." Just three months later, Hope announced through a Myspace announcement that while seeking a female harmonist and musician to join her and Ryan, they found Sara Rachele and have now decided to become a trio, called The Love Willows. Since then, Sara has left the group. On April 24, 2008 The Love Willows announced on Myspace that they have officially been signed by Decca Records/Universal Music Group. Their first full-length album will be out later this year.
In 2007, The Cheetah Girls covered Hope's first single Who We Are on their album TCG.
Who We Are
Hope Partlow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like every girl in a magazine
That's not who I am when I wake up
That's not who I wanna be
There's so much more to me than
Meets the eye
In this life
It doesn't really matter what you wear
Let the people stare
'cause we are who we are who we are who we are
It doesn't really matter what car you drive
It's good to be alive
Yeah we are who we are who we are who we are
Who we are
Tell me baby do I look like the real thing
Or would you change the color of my eyes
Tell me why my television's filling me with lies
It doesn't really matter what you wear
Let the people stare
'cause we are who we are who we are who we are
It doesn't really matter what car you drive
It's good to be alive
Yeah we are who we are who we are who we are
There is beauty on the inside
Yeah you're beautiful
All right!
Though it doesn't really matter what you wear
Let the people stare
'cause we are who we are who we are who we are
It doesn't really matter what car you drive
It's good to be alive
Yeah we are who we are who we are who we are
It doesn't really matter what you wear
Let the people stare (it's good to be alive good to be alive)
Doesn't really matter what car you drive
It's good to be alive (who we are)
Yeah we are who we are who we are who we are
Who we are (it's good to be alive good to be alive)
When we are who we are
The song "Who We Are" by Hope Partlow is about self-acceptance and being comfortable with oneself. The lyrics convey the message that it is essential to be true to oneself to enjoy life to the fullest. The singer expresses how she does not want to conform to the stereotypical image of a woman; she does not want to put on makeup and look like every girl on a magazine cover because she wants to be true to herself. She emphasizes that what matters is not what you wear or the car you drive, but who you are as a person. She implies that beauty comes from the inside, and being yourself is the key to happiness.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the idea that people should not be concerned about what others think of them. The repetition of the phrase "we are who we are" emphasizes the importance of individuality and self-awareness. The use of the phrase "Let the people stare" means that people should not be afraid of being different, and they should embrace their uniqueness. The song highlights that being oneself is good enough and that there is no need to conform just to please others.
In summary, "Who We Are" by Hope Partlow is a message of self-love and self-acceptance. The lyrics encourage the listener to embrace their individuality and to be confident and comfortable with themselves rather than conform to societal pressures.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna put on my make up
I don't want to change my appearance to fit society's unrealistic beauty standards
Just like every girl in a magazine
These standards are often perpetuated by images in the media
That's not who I am when I wake up
My true self is not reflected in these images
That's not who I wanna be
I aspire to be true to myself, not conform to societal expectations
There's so much more to me than
My value is not determined by my appearance alone
Meets the eye
People should look beyond surface-level assumptions
In this life
In general, in life
I know one thing
There is one thing that I know for sure
It doesn't really matter what you wear
Outward appearance is not what defines us
Let the people stare
We shouldn't be afraid of being judged by others
'cause we are who we are who we are who we are
We are unique individuals and that's something to be celebrated
It doesn't really matter what car you drive
Material possessions shouldn't define our self-worth
It's good to be alive
We should appreciate life and not take it for granted
Tell me baby do I look like the real thing
Am I living up to society's preconceived notions of what is 'real'?
Or would you change the color of my eyes
Would you change something inherent to my identity to fit your standards?
Tell me why my television's filling me with lies
The media can perpetuate unrealistic standards and beliefs
There is beauty on the inside
Our inner qualities are just as important, if not more important, than our outer appearance
Yeah you're beautiful
You are valuable and worthy of love and respect
All right!
Everything is okay, we're all good
When we are who we are
When we embrace and celebrate our true selves
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANGIE APARO, KEVIN PAUL KADISH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Xo
i legit was looking for this song for at least 3-4 years. I couldnt remember the lyrics just the beat and it finally came to me in a dream 😩
Prince GayBlack
how did you originally discover this song?
Kayla Stone
Hope is an amazing person. Went to school with her at Drummonds Tennessee. Now I'm trying to get to a record deal. She is an aspiring person.
Jacqueline
I like this song a lot. It reveals "who" she wants to be. "We are who we are". Love it. :)
spriinkles1000
Remembering the old days in high school watching all the shows on The N, this song would pop up between the shows :) miss those shows
Prince GayBlack
I can listen to this song everyday. She so different than the mainstream and makes pleasurable music to listen to.
InTheirImage7
I love this song! Hope Partlow is awesome!
Alyssa Hellenbrand
Found this song on one of my Cassette tapes that recorded the radio...I still love this song!!!!!
Shasta Phillis
i love this song it's great sends a good message
Grace Gregory
Such a wonderful song. I remember listening to this as a teenager and thinking what a great message it had about loving yourself just the way you are. Now I'm a 31 year old woman with 3 children of my own. I plan on showing them this song also, with all the music that's garbage out there we need messages like this.