Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-… Read Full Bio ↴Joseph Arthur (born September 28, 1971) is an American contemporary singer-songwriter from Akron, Ohio. He is known for his melodic compositions combined with swirling choruses. He was discovered by Peter Gabriel in the mid-'90s and signed to Gabriel's Real World label in 1996. Arthur's first album, Big City Secrets, was released in 1997 to critical acclaim.

In 2006, Arthur's song "In the Sun" was covered by Michael Stipe (of R.E.M.) and Coldplay singer Chris Martin. Released for a Hurricane Katrina Relief program, the EP includes six versions of the cover, one of which has Arthur himself singing with Stipe.

Arthur established his own record label, Lonely Astronaut Records, in 2006, and released two studio albums, Let's Just Be (2007) and Temporary People (2008) with backing band The Lonely Astronauts. Arthur subsequently returned to performing and recording as a solo artist, releasing The Graduation Ceremony in 2011 and the double album, Redemption City in 2012.

Arthur is also an acclaimed painter and designer. His artwork has graced the sleeves of his entire discography; the sleeve design for his 1999 album entitled Vacancy was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Recording Package.

I AM
Joseph Arthur Lyrics

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You live in a darkness
Made out of your fear
Looking to the future
Never are you here

You are not a person
Nor are what you see
Beyond this world you live in

Beyond your memory

To find out what you really are
You must wake up from this long night
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am

Your world is in danger
But your world isn't real
You see what is imagined
Dreaming what you feel

To find out what you really are
You must wake up from this long night
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am
Repeat the words I Am

Repeat the words I Am
I Am, I Am, I Am

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Joseph Arthur's song "I Am" explore themes of self-discovery, identity, and reality. The opening lines describe a person who is living in fear and always looking towards the future, which prevents them from fully experiencing the present moment. The following lines suggest that this person does not have a clear understanding of themselves or their surroundings, and that there is something beyond their current reality that they are not aware of.

The chorus of the song provides a solution to this problem, urging the listener to repeat the words "I Am". This repetition of the phrase is meant to serve as a reminder to the listener of their own existence and to bring them into the present moment. The second half of the song goes on to suggest that the listener's perception of reality may not be accurate and that their "world" may be in danger. The repetition of the phrase becomes more urgent towards the end of the song, perhaps suggesting that the listener needs to wake up to the truth of their existence before it's too late.

Overall, the lyrics to "I Am" encourage the listener to examine their own sense of self and to question the way they perceive the world around them. The repetition of the phrase "I Am" serves as a powerful mantra that can help ground the listener in the present moment and provide a sense of clarity and peace.

Line by Line Meaning

You live in a darkness
You exist in a state of emotional and mental darkness

Made out of your fear
This darkness is created by your own fear

Looking to the future
You focus on what is to come

Never are you here
You struggle to be present in the present moment

You are not a person
You do not feel like a complete human being

Nor are what you see
You question the reality of what you perceive

Beyond this world you live in
You sense that there is something beyond your current reality

Beyond your memory
You cannot recall what came before or make sense of it

To find out what you really are
In order to discover your true identity

You must wake up from this long night
You need to snap out of this prolonged emotional darkness

Repeat the words I Am
Chant the phrase 'I Am'