After developing a friendship with guitarist Mark Tremonti, Stapp and Tremonti decided to form a band. After recruiting Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips, Creed was formed in 1995. Creed went on to sell three multi-platinum albums and became one of the most successful rock bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2004, Creed officially announced its break-up and Stapp began working on his debut solo album, The Great Divide, which was released in 2005. The other members of Creed went on to form Alter Bridge with former Mayfield Four vocalist Myles Kennedy.
During interviews before the reunion, Stapp did not discuss Creed, his relationships with the members of the band, or the meanings of his lyrics, preferring instead to let the lyrics speak for themselves. He has told the press that he is a Christian.
Stapp cites The Doors, particularly Jim Morrison, as one of his principal musical influences, and performed with the surviving members of the band for a televised concert in 1999, as well as the Stoned Immaculate: The Music of the Doors tribute album. On VH1's Behind the Music special on Creed, Ray Manzarek of The Doors said, "When you hear Scott Stapp singing, it's kind of shocking 'cause it sounds so much like Jim."
After months of rumors about a Creed reunion, confirmation was given on the official Creed website on April 27, 2009. The band toured from August 6, 2009 to October 20, 2009 on a Reunion tour and released their new album, Full Circle on October 27th, 2009, their first album in 8 years. The Great Divide was released in the U.S. on November 22, 2005, peaking at #19 on Billboard's Top 200 chart. However, due to certain controversies in Stapp's private life and overall mixed reviews of the album, it has sold poorly compared with the amount sold during his time with Creed, although it was certified platinum in December 2007.[2] His backing band for the record and live shows since has consisted of Aristides Rincon and John Curry on guitars, Mitch Burman on bass, and Mark Archer on drums. They are all members of the band Goneblind.
Plans for a feature-length documentary about Scott Stapp are in the works to go along with his upcoming second solo album.[3]
In April 2008, Scott Stapp uploaded a cover of U2's "Running to Stand Still" on MySpace.
On August 8, 2008, Scott posted an acoustic version of "Broken" which was on his previous record.
Originally, his new album was due on the second quarter of 2009.[4] However, because of the Creed reunion, the album has been put on indefinite hiatus.
Who I Am
Scott Stapp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll blind your eyes, the only one.
Look at me when night sings blues,
I'm the only one, yes I'm your muse.
Look at me, make no mistake,
Fashioned with earth, molded with clay.
I'll tell you how I face the day,
Who I am, who am I to you?
You know dammit, I speak the truth to you.
Who I am, who am I to you?
Why can't I be who I am?
Look at me, I'm not like you.
I'm number one, not number two.
Look at me a pride and joy,
I came to win, I came to destroy.
Look at me, look in my eyes Heart of a lion,
I'll fight till I die!
Life's too short to expect less
Even when I fall, I get up swinging
Who I am, who am I to you?
You know, dammit, I speak the truth to you
Who I am, who am I to you?
Why can't I be who I am?
Who I am, who am I to me?
You know dammit, I speak the truth, you see
Who I am, who am I to me?
I just wanna be who I am
Just wanna be who I am
Just wanna be who I am
The lyrics of Scott Stapp's song "Who I Am" convey the message of self-acceptance and seeking validation from nobody else but oneself. In the beginning, the singer portrays himself as the sun, the only one who can blind your eyes, and the only muse to turn to when night sings blues. He then acknowledges his uniqueness, telling the listener to "look at me" and realize that he is not like anyone else, but he is the pride and joy who came to win and destroy.
Moreover, Scott Stapp describes his resilience and fighting spirit, emphasizing that even when he falls, he gets up swinging. He then asks two fundamental questions; "Who am I to you?" and "Who am I to me?" to assert his sense of identity and individuality. With the chorus, he derides seeking conformity and adhering to societal norms, stating that he just wants to be who he is.
Overall, " Who I Am" is an embodiment of empowerment and self-love, a reminder to embrace one's authenticity and seek validation from within.
Line by Line Meaning
Look at me I am the sun
I am confident and self-assured, radiating brightness and strength.
I'll blind your eyes, the only one.
My intensity can be overwhelming, but I demand attention and respect as a unique individual.
Look at me when night sings blues,
When times are tough and emotions run deep, I still stand strong and persevering.
I'm the only one, yes I'm your muse.
My creative energy and passion for life inspires those around me, setting me apart from others.
Look at me, make no mistake,
I am unapologetically who I am, and do not conform to societal norms or expectations.
Fashioned with earth, molded with clay.
Despite my unique perspective, I am still grounded and connected to the natural world around me.
I'll tell you how I face the day,
I am not afraid to share my experiences and challenges with others, and strive to inspire through my actions.
Live life, raise hell, left nothing undone.
I live life to the fullest, taking risks and pursuing my dreams, never backing down from a challenge and refusing to leave anything unfinished.
Who I am, who am I to you?
I question my place in the world, wondering how others perceive me and my unique qualities.
You know dammit, I speak the truth to you.
I value honesty and transparency, and refuse to sugarcoat my words or actions.
Why can't I be who I am?
I struggle with societal pressures and expectations, wondering why I cannot simply be myself without judgement from others.
Look at me, I'm not like you.
I emphasize my uniqueness and individuality, and refuse to conform to societal standards.
I'm number one, not number two.
I prioritize my own needs and desires over the expectations of others, striving for personal success and fulfillment.
Look at me a pride and joy,
I am proud of my achievements and accomplishments, and find joy in the pursuit of my dreams.
I came to win, I came to destroy.
I have a competitive nature and strong drive to succeed, willing to take down obstacles and overcome challenges in order to achieve my goals.
Look at me, look in my eyes Heart of a lion,
I have the strength and courage of a lion, unafraid to face challenges head-on and always willing to stand my ground.
I'll fight till I die!
I have a relentless spirit and determination to succeed, never giving up and persisting until the end.
Life's too short to expect less
I refuse to settle for mediocrity or accept less than what I am capable of achieving.
Even when I fall, I get up swinging
I embrace failure as a learning experience, and always get back up to try again, never losing sight of my goals.
Who I am, who am I to me?
I struggle with self-identity, wondering what defines me and my unique qualities.
You know dammit, I speak the truth, you see
I value honesty and transparency with myself, acknowledging my strengths and weaknesses, and striving to grow as an individual.
I just wanna be who I am
Ultimately, I simply desire to be true to myself and let my unique qualities shine through, free from societal judgement and expectations.
Just wanna be who I am
I emphasize this desire for self-authenticity and individuality, embracing my unique identity and living life on my own terms.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SCOTT STAPP, JOHN CURRY, ALEKSANDR BODNAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind