After graduating from UCLA in 2002, Bareilles performed at local bars and clubs. She issued two demos of mostly live tracks in 2003: The First One in April and The Summer Sessions in October.
In January 2004, Bareilles released her first studio album, Careful Confessions. She signed a contract with Epic Records' A&R executive Pete Giberga on April 15, 2005. The remainder of the year and early 2006 was spent writing and reworking songs for her upcoming album.
Her debut major-label album Little Voice came out on July 17, 2007.
I Wanna Be Like Me
Sara Bareilles Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Never looks like anybody
What if I want to be the one who
Goes her own way
Would you still believe in
A someone like me
What if I want to be the one who
What if I want to be the one who
Won't fit in
Would you find a new way
To make room for me
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to make you cry
What if I don't want to be like you
Just because I was
Made to be exactly like me
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to tear you down
What if I don't want to be like you
Because I've found I was
Made to be exactly like me
I want to be like me
What if I want to be the one who
Doesn't need to hide
What if I want to be the one who
Won't apologize
I'm not the enemy
Unless that's what you choose to see
What if I want to be the one who
You'll never understand
Do you think you'd ever want to
Still try to hold my hand
To get through to you
I'm still trying to
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to make you cry
What if I don't want to be like you
Just because I was
Made to be exactly like me
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to tear you down
What if I don't want to be like you
Because I've found I was
Made to be exactly like me
I want to be like me
I want to be like me
What if I don't want to be like you
What if I don't want to be like you
What if I don't want to be like you
What if I don't want to be like you
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to tear you down
What if I don't want to be like you
Because I've found I was
Made to be exactly like me
I want to be like me
In this song, Sara Bareilles questions societal norms and expectations that individuals face in their lives. She speaks about how she wants to be her own self, someone who is unapologetically unique and different from others. She expresses her desire to be someone who doesn't need to hide and apologize for being different. The lyrics suggest that despite the pressure that people may feel to fit in, it's important to be true to oneself and not compromise one's identity just to please others. She questions whether people would still accept her if she doesn't fit the mold that society has set for her, expressing her fear of being left out and ostracized if she chooses to be different. She concludes the song by repeating her desire to be her authentic self and not be like anyone else.
Overall, the song I Wanna Be Like Me is about the importance of self-acceptance and individuality. It speaks to the pressures individuals face in trying to fit in with the norms of society, which can sometimes lead to a compromise of one's true identity. By expressing her desire to be true to herself, Sara Bareilles encourages listeners to embrace their unique qualities and not be afraid to stand out.
Line by Line Meaning
What if I want to be the one who
Never looks like anybody
What if I want to be unique and don't want to conform to society's expectations of fitting in?
What if I want to be the one who
Goes her own way
What if I want to chart my own path and not follow anyone else's?
Would you still believe in
A someone like me
Would you still support and accept me for who I am even if I don't conform to your expectations or society's?
What if I want to be the one who
Doesn't belong here
What if I feel like I don't fit in or belong in this particular situation or environment?
What if I want to be the one who
Won't fit in
What if I don't want to conform to the norms and expectations of this particular social group or environment?
Would you find a new way
To make room for me
Would you be willing to make space for me and accept me even if I don't fit a certain mold or expectation?
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to make you cry
What if I don't want to conform to your expectations or society's without hurting your feelings or making you upset?
What if I don't want to be like you
Just because I was
Made to be exactly like me
What if I want to embrace my unique qualities and characteristics because that's who I was meant to be?
What if I don't want to be like you
Not to tear you down
What if I don't want to conform to your expectations or society's without disrespecting or hurting you?
Because I've found I was
Made to be exactly like me
I've discovered that embracing my unique qualities and characteristics is the most fulfilling and authentic way to live my life.
What if I want to be the one who
Doesn't need to hide
What if I want to be honest and authentic about who I am and not feel like I have to hide my true self?
What if I want to be the one who
Won't apologize
What if I don't want to apologize for being my true self and want to feel comfortable in my own skin?
I'm not the enemy
Unless that's what you choose to see
I am not your adversary or someone to be feared, unless you choose to view me that way because of my differences.
What if I want to be the one who
You'll never understand
What if my unique qualities and characteristics are beyond your comprehension or understanding?
Do you think you'd ever want to
Still try to hold my hand
Would you still want to try and understand me and accept me for who I am, even if you don't fully understand me?
I want to be like me
I want to embrace my unique qualities and characteristics and live my life authentically, even if it means not conforming to your expectations or society's.
Contributed by Stella O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dana
My aunt told me that every time she listens to this song she thinks of me, I think that's a pretty good compliment (:
Mileur Bailey
Omg my mom says that abut me twins!
Emily rose
I wish this song was on Spotify love this so true and a good message
Darcy Jackson
I love Sara more than anyone else ever . Gosh she's amazing . ♥
Gloria Bullock
Big thanks to Sara Barellies, she has saved my life and gotten me through a messy break up and made me realize I'm worth more than how I've been treated. Now, I finally wanna be like me without apologizing for it
Love B
How is she so awesome ? Like seriously ? All her songs touch my heart.
Josephine Kay
Love this song! I think the correct lyric is actually "I'm not the enemy / Unless that's what you choose to see" If you listen closely, you'll hear it, and it makes more sense! <3
The Shortfellows - speak softly and play the piano
Beautiful! I love how sweet and soulful it is with the violins, while at the same time fiercely independent. Sometimes there's no reason to apologize; people don't know what you're going through. "I'm not the enemy/Unless you want the truth to see..." This is exactly what I needed to hear!
Juanita Leal
OMG I never heard this song. And I absolutely love it!
Sara is so awesome
Las Estaciones Del Corazon
This sounds just perfect for a Tarzan soundtrack <3
LOVE YOU SARA <3