Born into a family of artists, White spent her early years moving from town to town. Her mother was a folksinger, her father a sculptor, grandma was a burlesque performer and auntie was a pop song writer. Grandfather was a poet who favored the sonnet. Drawn to the arts, Simone acted in plays and films, made photographs and wrote. Needing an instrument for the songs she wrote a cappella, Simone taught herself to play guitar.
Moving to NYC from London in 2000, White began to play music onstage. She recorded her first album with producer David Domanich and musician and friend Frank Bango. White released the album, The Sincere Recording Company Presents, in 2003 on Bango's label The Sincere Recording Company.
I Am The Man, her second album, was recorded with producer Mark Nevers, (Lambchop/Calexico/Will Oldham/Silver Jews), in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2006 she was signed to the UK label Honest Jons. I Am The Man was released by Honest Jons/EMI in the UK, Japan, Italy and Holland in 2007 and released in France, Germany and the United States in 2008 through distributors Indigo and Forced Exposure. The album was a favourite with critics from MOJO and Q Magazine to the Daily Mail.
The Beep Beep Song, one of the songs from White's second album I Am The Man was used in an Audi R8 advert in the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, South Africa, Sweden and was shown in the half time ad break of the Rugby World Cup Final of 2007.
In 2007 and 2008 White toured in the United Kingdom and Europe headlining and supporting various bands: Nouvelle Vague, Alela Diane, Teitur, Stephen Fretwell and Little Dragon. In 2008 she played at the festivals Greenman and WOMAD in the UK.
White was a part of Damon Albarn's critically acclaimed "Honest Jons Revue" which toured in July 2008 to the Barbican Center in London, Les Nuits Fourviere Festival in Lyon, and the Lincoln Center Festival in New York City. The Honest Jons Revue included the artists Tony Allen, The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Damon Albarn, Kokanko Sata Doumbia, Lobi Traore, Afel Bocoum, Candi Staton, Simone White and Victoria Williams.
On 12 June 2009, White's third album, Yakiimo was released digitally, with a physical release following on 22 June 2009. This album was again released through Honest Jons in the UK.
White's albums frequently include covers of songs originally recorded by her friend and collaborator Frank Bango. Such recordings include Roses Are Not Red, Wrong About You, Worm Was Wood and Bunny In A Bunnysuit.
White currently lives in Venice, California.
White's album, Silver Silver, was released in 2012.
She released "Genuine Fake", a collection of acoustic recordings, on 8 September 2017.
I Am The Man
Simone White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
the one with the big frying pan
who takes all the meat and leaves nothing to eat
for the poor with their outstretched hands
but I am the Man I am the Man I am
yes I am the Man I am the Man
I understand
I used to be scared of the government
but the voices of scared folk will never be heard
open your throat and sing like a bird
cos in my own government I am the president
yes it's my own government I represent
stop pointing the finger (at yourself)
look in the mirror and see how your enemy fell
I used to think I was alone
a motherless child far from home
but the family I found is in everyone
open your heart it's time that you've come
home
is the house you build with your bones
yes home is the house you build with your bones
Simone White's song "I Am The Man" is a song that is a call for personal empowerment and radical individual agency. The song's first verse talks about how the singer used to be angry at "the Man" who takes all the meat and leaves nothing for the poor. But then, in the chorus, she says "I am the Man, I am the Man, I am." This shift in perspective represents a complete 180 from the first verse. Rather than being angry at the powers that be, the singer has claimed her own power and agency. She understands that she is also the oppressor, and therefore also the oppressed. The second verse reinforces this idea by talking about how the singer used to be scared of the government silencing voices of dissent. But then she says that she is the president of her own government. This means that she is changing her own internal narrative and taking control of her own thoughts and actions. The song's outro talks about how home is the house you build with your bones. This final line speaks to the idea of reclaiming your own personal autonomy and creating a home within yourself.
The lyrics in "I Am The Man" represent a powerful shift in perspective from being a victim of circumstance to taking control of your own life. The song encourages listeners to stop blaming external forces for their problems and to look within themselves for the power to change their own lives. The song is a call for personal empowerment and for individuals to take ownership of their own government and think for themselves. Ultimately, the song is about creating a home within oneself and finding belonging, regardless of external circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
I used to be angry at the Man
In the past, I used to feel resentful towards those in power.
the one with the big frying pan
The one who has control and is using it to their advantage.
who takes all the meat and leaves nothing to eat
They are selfish and keeping everything for themselves, leaving nothing for others.
for the poor with their outstretched hands
Those who are struggling and are in need of help.
but I am the Man I am the Man I am
However, I have come to realize that I am also a part of the system of power and privilege.
yes I am the Man I am the Man
I acknowledge that I am indeed part of the group I used to blame for the world's problems.
I understand
Now I comprehend the situation better and have a deeper understanding of the world around me.
I used to be scared of the government
I used to fear authorities and the impact they might have on people's lives.
silencing voices of dissent
Their tendency to suppress differing opinions and eliminating opposition.
but the voices of scared folk will never be heard
People who are fearful and silent will not be able to stand up and make their voices heard.
open your throat and sing like a bird
It is time to speak up and let your voice be heard, just like a singing bird.
cos in my own government I am the president
I am now in a position of power myself, as a representative of the government.
yes it's my own government I represent
I am an elected official, representing my constituents as part of the government.
stop pointing the finger (at yourself)
It's important to stop blaming others and start taking responsibility for your own actions.
look in the mirror and see how your enemy fell
By examining yourself and acknowledging your own flaws, you can learn from your previous mistakes.
I used to think I was alone
I used to feel like I was isolated and unsupported.
a motherless child far from home
I felt like an orphan, disconnected from my roots and my community.
but the family I found is in everyone
However, I have realized that my family is not limited to just my blood relations but includes everyone around me.
open your heart it's time that you've come home
It's time to be open and honest with oneself, and embrace a sense of belonging and community.
is the house you build with your bones
Ultimately, home is not a physical place but an inner sense of belonging that is crafted by our own experiences.
Contributed by Alexander O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ForgetfulMind
You have such talent with lyrics. Every song I've managed to find of yours has made me think; about issues in the world, re-evalution of opinions and other deep things. I think that's rare in an artist these days. I'm very glad you're singing to the world. Thank you. =)
James Langston
i dont comment much on youtube music vids, but just want to say your voice and lyrics are brilliant. It really captures what you sing about. great stuff and all the best.
corpseesproc
You have such a beautiful voice! you're amazing!
john tennant
excellent,love her voice.not as old as i thought i was,usually humbug to modern music
JUKEBOXmeu
Music With Integrity That Sounds Good...great to hear that it hasn't bled to death under the yoke of 'commercial' music and artists. I love what you're doing :D (I hate car commercials but I de-mute the tv when the Audi comm. is on). Keep creating wonderful music & videos!
Czarnuchowo
I love this music!
Deganawidah Ayenwatha
I'm listening to this in Singapore and baffled at how good this is and yet I hadn't heard it before. What is the record co. (if I want to order) or do you produce your own songs? Also, do you post concert date announcements? BTW Congratuations - THe Beep Beep Song is approaching a million hits and I have a feeling the others will get there in a few short years.
KurdtKovalainen
I'm glad I looked up the song in the Audi advert because you really are a fantastic singer/songwriter. A real gem. :)
RobynBetween
Dang, you are just oozing pure style!
Brian E. Reinecke
I am a great appreciator(sp.??) of playfulness in visuals. You just brought me smiles and laughter and I send you a mental smile and a childlike innocent hug. Thank you for the song, the performance and more. :{ ) Brian