Upon recording a few songs at a local studio, she decided to send the demos to three record companies, with no special expectations. Soon Sony Sweden gave her a phone call and offered her a record deal. At this stage, she had never played in front of an audience. Sophie started to record her self-titled debut album in 1995. The album was produced and arranged by Lars Halapi, a long time collaborator who has subsequently worked on all her material.
She was awarded a Grammy at the Swedish Grammy awards as Best Newcomer in 1995, she was also nominated for Best Female Pop Singer. Her album managed Gold status both in Sweden and Japan. After promoting her debut in the US, she finally started to work on her new album in the Autumn of 1997. This second effort entitled Precious Burden came the following year. Since the turbulence of the first album release, Zelmani has started saying no to interviews and only embarks on tour for short periods of time.
The third, fourth and fifth albums, Time to Kill (1999), Sing and Dance (2002) and Love Affair (2003) quickly followed. Ten years after her debut she released a best-of album titled A Decade Of Dreams which also included two new tracks.
Further albums released after this 'best of' are: Memory Loves You (2007), The Ocean and Me (2008), I'm The Rain, (2010), Soul (2011).
Zelmani has also contributed music to the TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dawson's Creek". Her cover of Bob Dylan's "Most Of The Time" appears on the soundtrack to "Masked and Anonymous", and also on the album Cohen - The Scandinavian Report.
Her song "Stand By" appeared in the film "Independence Day" (1996). Her song "Always You" appeared in the film "My Best Friend's Wedding" (1997).
Who I Am
Sophie Zelmani Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You want me to be
I'm only so sweet
As you choose to see
I'm reaching the level
You're setting up
I'm only heading
Until you say stop
Where you let me to
I have all those things
You say I do
Who I am
You tell me
Who I am
You tell me
I only ravage where
You give me the place
I'm only seen until
You shade my face
I'm just as good
As you want me to be
Who I am
You tell me
Sophie Zelmani's song "Who I Am" is a commentary on the societal pressure to conform to expectations, and how our identities are shaped by the perceptions of those around us. The lyrics, "I'm just as good as you want me to be, I'm only so sweet as you choose to see," highlight the fact that our actions are often dictated by the expectations of others. The line "I'm reaching the level you're setting up, I'm only heading until you say stop" further emphasizes the idea that we are constantly trying to live up to the standards set by those around us.
The chorus, "Who I am, you tell me," is a direct challenge to the notion that we have full control over our own identities. Instead, the suggestion is that our identities are largely shaped by the perceptions of others. This is reinforced by the lines "I'm touching you where you let me to, I have all those things you say I do." In other words, we only have agency within the constraints set by others.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm just as good as
My worth and value are determined by your perception and judgment of me.
You want me to be
My qualities and abilities match up to your expectations and desires.
I'm only so sweet
I appear as gentle and pleasant as you want me to be, but may not necessarily feel that way.
As you choose to see
Your perceptions and pre-conceived notions about me define who I am.
I'm reaching the level
I am striving to meet your expectations, standards, and challenges with regards to my performance or behavior.
You're setting up
You are responsible for creating or establishing the standards or criteria for me to meet.
I'm only heading
I am only progressing or moving forward in a direction that you have already defined.
Until you say stop
My actions or movements are guided by your directives or commands.
I'm touching you
My physical contact with you is limited to the areas that you have allowed me to touch or interact with.
Where you let me to
My range of influence and impact is restricted to the spaces and boundaries that you have set for me.
I have all those things
I possess the characteristics, traits, or qualities that you have attributed to me or have ascribed to me.
You say I do
Your opinions or perceptions of me determine what I am capable of doing or achieving.
Who I am
My identity, personality, and character are formed and defined by your judgments, standards, and expectations.
You tell me
You are the ultimate authority or arbiter of my worth, value, and identity.
I only ravage where
I only cause destruction or devastation in the places that you have given me permission to do so.
You give me the place
You have allowed me to have the authority or power to make changes or cause harm within a specific context or setting.
I'm only seen until
I only exist or have meaning in the areas that you have illuminated or highlighted.
You shade my face
You have the power to obscure or hide certain aspects or attributes of me from others' view or perception.
Who I am
My personhood and essence are formed by your judgments and perceptions of me.
You tell me
You hold the power to shape my identity and worth by setting the standards and expectations for me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARTI FREDERIKSEN, RICHARD S SAMBORA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind