Story Behind The Song

I wrote this specifically for the American Idol Songwriting Contest, after Season 6 had begun but long before they officially opened the contest. I wanted to create a "big" song that would just beg for the big gospel choir in the last chorus, the pyrotechnics and the confetti.

Song Description

A lot of the world's problems would be solved if we would just quit pretending to be someone we're not - someone cooler, or richer, or smarter . What an interesting world it would be if everyone would just have the courage to be themselves and not care what anyone else thought.

Lyrics

All the world's a stage
And some are just content to play a part
But if we're strong, we'll find a way
To read what's written in our hearts,
"Be faithful to who you are"

CHORUS:
This is who I am
Right here, right now, all I have is what you see
This is where I stand
Baring my soul, with my heart wide open
This is who I am
Someday somehow, this is what I dreamed I'd be
Never give excuses, live with what I choose, yeah,
Baby win or lose, this is who I am

Summer skies, nighttime,
I'd lie awake and wonder at the stars
I hear them beckoning, they shine, they shine
Their ancient message from afar,
"Be faithful to who you are"

Like an arrow, straight and narrow
My road leads me here to you
And in your arms I'll stay, as long as I can say
To myself I will be true

CHORUS:
This is who I am
Right here, right now, all I have is what you see
This is where I stand
Baring my soul, with my heart wide open
This is who I am
Someday somehow, this is what I dreamed I'd be
Never give excuses, live with what I choose, yeah,
Baby win or lose, this is who I am

Take it steady, I'll be ready
If you want to fly with me
We're headed for the sky, so put your hand in mine
This is where we're meant to be
Meant to be

This is who I am
Right here right now, this is what I dreamed I'd be
Never give excuses
Live with what I choose, yeah
Baby win or lose, this is who I am
It's who I am
This is who I am