The Smiths signed to the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983 and released their first album, The Smiths, in 1984. They based their songs on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey and Marr. Their focus on a guitar, bass, and drum sound and a fusion of 1960s rock and post-punk was a rejection of the synth-pop sound that was predominant at the time. Several Smiths singles reached the top 20 of the UK Singles Chart, and all their studio albums reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart, including the number-one album Meat Is Murder (1985). They achieved mainstream success in Europe with The Queen Is Dead (1986) and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), both of which entered the top 20 of the European Albums Chart.
Internal tensions led to the Smiths' breakup in 1987, followed by public lawsuits over royalties. Their live album Rank (1988) reached the top 10 in Europe. Since the band's dissolution, the members have refused offers to reunite and have all separately stated that the band is finished and will never reunite.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Smiths
Studio albums
The Smiths (1984)
Meat Is Murder (1985)
The Queen Is Dead (1986)
Strangeways, Here We Come (1987)
I Am Human
The Smiths Lyrics
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All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
All that I'll ever be
Not a doctor, or politician
I'm not an actor or a magician
Can't be what you want me to be
'Cause I've got my own thoughts
And I got my own dreams
Sit on back and enjoy my show
'Cause I'm on the mic
I'm about to blow
If you can't handle what you see
Well, you'll get no apologies from me
No apologies
For being me
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am, that's what)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am, that's what)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am, that's what)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am, that's what)
All that I'll ever be
Don't be afraid of what I say
It's okay to live your way
I don't have a bad attitude
I just got some things I don't want to do
I'll never be the kind of guy
Who gets no sale for his own life
It's my life
Wrong or right
I am what I am (I am what I am)
I am what I am (I am what I am)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am)
All that I'll ever be
I am what I am, that's all that I am
(I am what I am)
All that I'll ever be
(I am what I am, I am)
(That's all that I'll ever be)
All that I'll ever be
(I am what I am, I am)
(That's all that I'll ever be)
All that I'll ever be
(I am what I am, I am)
(That's all that I'll ever be)
All that I'll ever be
(I am what I am, I am)
(That's all that I'll ever be)
All that I'll ever be
The Smiths' "I Am Human" is a declaration of independence and individuality. The singer is assertively declaring that they are who they are and will not be swayed to conform or change for anyone else's sake. The repetition of the song's title emphasizes this fact, highlighting that nothing else matters beyond the singer's identity. The singer's rejection of the roles of doctor, politician, actor, and magician, and insistence upon being their own entity, promotes the idea that one's identity should not be contingent upon what one does for a living or any other external factors.
Furthermore, the bridge, "Don't be afraid of what I say / It's okay to live your way" goes beyond the singer's self-affirmation to encourage others to embrace their own individuality. The song's repeated refrain of, "I am what I am, that's all that I am / All that I'll ever be" reinforces the idea that personal identity is the most important thing and should not be subject to societal pressures or norms. Ultimately, the message of "I Am Human" is about acceptance and self-love, a message that is as relevant now as when the song was written.
Line by Line Meaning
I am what I am, that's all that I am
I am who I am, and I will always be this way. I can't change who I am just to please others.
All that I'll ever be
I have no desire to be anyone else, and I will only ever be myself.
Not a doctor, or politician
I have no desire to be a doctor or politician, and I won't pretend to be something I'm not.
I'm not an actor or a magician
I have no desire to be an actor or magician, and I won't pretend to be something I'm not.
Can't be what you want me to be
I refuse to change who I am just to please others. I will always be true to myself.
'Cause I've got my own thoughts
I have my own beliefs and opinions, and I won't compromise them for anyone else.
And I got my own dreams
I have my own aspirations and goals, and I won't let anyone else tell me how to live my life.
Sit on back and enjoy my show
Just sit back and watch me be myself. You can either accept me for who I am or move on.
'Cause I'm on the mic
I'm in control and I won't let anyone else bring me down.
I'm about to blow
I have so much to say and I won't hold back.
If you can't handle what you see
If you can't accept me for who I am, then that's your problem, not mine.
Well, you'll get no apologies from me
I won't apologize for being myself. I won't let anyone make me feel bad for who I am.
No apologies
I won't apologize for being myself. I won't let anyone make me feel bad for who I am.
For being me
I won't apologize for being myself. I won't let anyone make me feel bad for who I am.
Don't be afraid of what I say
Don't be afraid to hear my truth, even if it's not what you want to hear.
It's okay to live your way
It's okay to be yourself and live your life on your own terms.
I don't have a bad attitude
I'm not trying to be difficult. I'm just being true to myself.
I just got some things I don't want to do
I have my own priorities and values, and I won't do things that compromise them.
I'll never be the kind of guy
I won't change who I am just to conform to someone else's expectations.
Who gets no sale for his own life
I won't let anyone else dictate how I live my life. I won't let anyone else control me.
It's my life
I am the only one who can control how I live my life. I won't let anyone else decide for me.
Wrong or right
Regardless of whether I'm right or wrong, I will always be true to myself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Erika Smith, Michael Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind