Foster started her own label – now called Fosterchild Records - in 2003. Her debut release, Everybody’s Girl, garnered national radio success at the Triple A format, as well as positive reviews, praising her no-frills, unfiltered lyrics. Songwriting awards followed and she has also secured some impressive Film/TV placements, with songs placed in the popular television soap opera All My Children as well as a recent placement in an American Pie movie sequel.
The title track of Foster’s 2006 sophomore CD, The Underdogs, won “Song of the Year” at the Out Music Awards. Foster grew up in a very conservative, Houston, TX, suburb.
Foster credits another outsider, Ani DiFranco, for inspiration in her business model. “Ani did it her way, and she inspired me to do it my way. I’ve created a fairly unique situation. I’ve built a team of people I trust at my label and also, a community of fans,” Foster proudly notes. “It’s always challenging to take off the artist hat and put on the business hat, but it’s a challenge I embrace. My music means too much to me to blindly put it in someone else’s hands.”
Foster’s new album, "Thirty-Nine," was slated for a 2009 release, and a four-song EP, "Songs From Thirty-Nine," is currently available. The video for the single "Closer To Nowhere" recently reached #1 on the LOGO Channel (MTV Network) charts.
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SONGWRITING AWARDS
1) "CLOSER TO NOWHERE" - WINNER, TRIPLE A CATEGORY, INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
2) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - GRAND PRIZE, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS
3) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - BEST FEMALE ARTIST, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS
4) "THE UNDERDOGS" - SONG OF THE YEAR, OUT MUSIC AWARDS
5) "AMEN" - WINNER, GOSPEL CATEGORY, USA SONGWRITING CONTEST
6) "SHE" - WINNER, POP CATEGORY, 2001, JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST
7) "SHE" - WINNER, POP CATEGORY, 2001, GREAT AMERICAN SONGWRITING CONTEST
8) "EVERYBODY'S GIRL" (FULL RECORD) - WINNER, BEST DEBUT RECORDING - FEMALE, 2004, OUT MUSIC AWARDS
9) "IN BETWEEN POSES" - WINNER, 1st ANNUAL AWARDS, BEST FEMALE ARTIST, INTERNATIONAL ACOUSTIC MUSIC AWARDS 10) "TAKING BOB DYLAN" - WINNER, NASHVILLE SONG & LYRIC CONTEST
This Is Me
Jen Foster Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guess it's time I tell the truth
‘Cause I have known for a while, but I never wanted to bring shame on this family
‘Cause you asked me not to
But if this God to whom you pray
Is the same God I was raised to believe in
You'd better take it up with him
This is me, here we are
I know I may not be everything you wanted
But this is all I've got
This is me, talk to God
He's the one you really ought to ask these questions
‘Cause I am all his fault
This is me
Why, you ask, would I ever put you and Dad through this
When it's only just a phase?
Well, who's to say what's to come, and who are you to judge my love?
Yes, I am different, but my heart works just the same
And I could lie to your face
But you taught me that's no way to live my life
So I'm taking your advice
This is me, here we are
I know I may not be everything you wanted
But this is all I've got
This is me, talk to God
He's the one you really ought to ask these questions
‘Cause I am all his fault
This is me, yeah
This is me
Talk to God
You said he speaks to us when we listen
So listen
This is me
I'm nobody's fault
Listen to your heart
Talk to God
This is me
This is me
You and I have come this far
Guess it's time
Jen Foster’s song “This Is Me” is a powerful representation of the internal conflict and struggle that many people in the LGBTQ+ community face in coming out to their families. The song starts off with the singer reflecting on how far they’ve come and realizing that it’s time to finally tell the truth. They express their fear of bringing shame to their family and how they’ve been asked to keep their identity a secret. However, they challenge the notion that their identity is a sin by referencing the same God they were raised to believe in, saying “You’d better take it up with him.”
The chorus of the song is an empowering declaration of self-love and acceptance. The singer recognizes that they may not be everything their family wanted, but this is who they are and they won’t apologize for it. They urge their family to “talk to God” and ask these questions, insinuating that their identity is not a choice but rather something they were born with. The ending of the song is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to listen to their hearts and talk to God in order to find acceptance and peace.
Overall, “This Is Me” is a heartfelt and emotional anthem for anyone who has struggled with reconciling their beliefs and their identity. It shines a light on the importance of self-love and acceptance, and encourages listeners to have open hearts and minds in accepting others for who they are.
Line by Line Meaning
You and I have come this far
We have a history, but that shouldn't make it harder for me to tell you the truth
Guess it's time I tell the truth
I've been hiding something from you, but it's time for me to be honest
‘Cause I have known for a while, but I never wanted to bring shame on this family
I knew I was different from what you expected, but I didn't want to disappoint you or our family
‘Cause you asked me not to
You implicitly or explicitly gave me a warning or made me feel ashamed for who I am
But if this God to whom you pray
If there's a higher power you worship
Is the same God I was raised to believe in
If we share the same belief system
You'd better take it up with him
You should take your objections, complaints or questions to God, the judge, the arbiter
This is me, here we are
I'm ready to show you who I really am, and acknowledge where we currently stand
I know I may not be everything you wanted
I'm aware that I do not meet your expectations, aspirations or dreams
But this is all I've got
Despite that, this is who I am and what I have to offer
This is me, talk to God
If you have any doubts, questions or criticism, please refer them to God instead of me
He's the one you really ought to ask these questions
God, who always knows best, is the proper addressee of your queries, not me
‘Cause I am all his fault
If you have a problem with who I am, or how I turned out, it's not my fault, but God's choice or nature
Why, you ask, would I ever put you and Dad through this
You don't understand why I'm doing this to you and our family
When it's only just a phase?
You think that my behavior, preferences, or identity are temporary and will eventually pass
Well, who's to say what's to come, and who are you to judge my love?
Nobody knows the future, and nobody has the right to question my feelings of love or attraction
Yes, I am different, but my heart works just the same
I may be perceived as unusual or strange, but there's nothing wrong with my emotional capacity and sincerity
And I could lie to your face
I could sugarcoat the truth or pretend to be someone else just to please you
But you taught me that's no way to live my life
But you instilled in me the value of honesty and authenticity, and I can't betray that
So I'm taking your advice
Therefore, even though it hurts me, I'll follow your own teachings and be truthful
You said he speaks to us when we listen
You suggested that God communicates with us if we're receptive enough
So listen
Therefore, pay attention closely to the voice of God, before judging or criticizing me
I'm nobody's fault
I'm not responsible for being who I am, since it's not a choice or fault
Listen to your heart
You should also heed your own feelings, instincts and moral compass
Talk to God
And finally, instead of condemning or rejecting me, turn to God for guidance, enlightenment and compassion
This is me
I'm not perfect, but I'm being true to myself, and that's all that matters
This is me
This is my identity, my expression, my existence
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
V L
O.M.G. I cried watching this. My parents have come along way to accepting me for me. My mom didn't want me to kiss my wife at our own wedding. She wanted me to shake her hand. Who shakes hands?! In seven years a lot has changed.
Marta Vidrago
i love the song! <3 by the way...great video !
Tina Lancaster
I love this song & vid sooo much! It's so wild how the video is almost identical to how it was with me & my mama, my daddy has always been accepting. My mama claims she is now, but I'm no fool she still thinks I'm just not trying hard enough to find the right man, hell I can't even find the right girlfriend! Lol. I just wish I'd had a dear friend or girlfriend that coulda been there for me when I came out. I first came out at 17 & my mama literally threw my ass back in the closet, saying I was going thru a phase & hadn't met the right man yet, it was awful. I finally came out for good in my early 20's, I'm 36 now & still have to live at home cuz disability check ain't enough to live on my own & I live in the bible belt, so sad but it looks like I'll remain alone even tho if I could find a gf, she's welcome in the house now. Lol! I'd love to have a gf again....
Tina Lancaster
Thanks so much, Tindra456! Yes, this vid is awesome! They are so beautiful together. If I had to say, I'd say my personality is the most like Olivia's. But nowhere near as cruel as she used to be, lol. I think I'm more like the Olivia after Natalia changed her. And thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it!
TinaRue
I'm glad you like the video! and am sad to here that you haven't been able to find a queer comnunity to hang with, so to speak. Well until you find one, I hope you know that the LGBTQ community on the Webb is always here. :)