I Am Who I Am
feel: singer-songwriter folk with nordic glow; intimate verses, radiant choruses. 4/4 - 112 bpm - g ionian (dorian color). instruments: acoustic guitar (fingerpicked intro, palm-muted strum lift), cello lead (answers, countermelodies, 8-bar solo), tagelharpa soft drone, upright bass, brush kit or cajon, light piano felt (optional), bass recorder breaths (very soft). voices: classical female soprano lead (light highlands lilt - lightly rolled r (ɾ) - open a=ah). language: english. arrangement: guitar+cello intro -> v1 -> chorus -> v2 -> chorus -> cello solo 8 bars -> v3 -> chorus -> bridge hush -> final double chorus (key lift +2) -> guitar+cello outro. production: vocal close-warm; guitar bright; cello forward; drums dry; short plate. chorus design: ch1 solo, cello doubles bars 7–8; ch2 2-part (lead+3rd), offbeat claps bars 3–6; final ch 3-part (lead+5th+low 3rd), 1-beat drop before last line, [voice pickup] on final hook. hook motif: g b a | g d. drone: g–d
I Am Who I Am
feel: singer-songwriter folk with nordic glow; intimate verses, radiant choruses. 4/4 - 112 bpm - g ionian (dorian color). instruments: acoustic guitar (fingerpicked intro, palm-muted strum lift), cello lead (answers, countermelodies, 8-bar solo), tagelharpa soft drone, upright bass, brush kit or cajon, light piano felt (optional), bass recorder breaths (very soft). voices: classical female soprano lead (light highlands lilt - lightly rolled r (ɾ) - open a=ah). language: english. arrangement: guitar+cello intro -> v1 -> chorus -> v2 -> chorus -> cello solo 8 bars -> v3 -> chorus -> bridge hush -> final double chorus (key lift +2) -> guitar+cello outro. production: vocal close-warm; guitar bright; cello forward; drums dry; short plate. chorus design: ch1 solo, cello doubles bars 7–8; ch2 2-part (lead+3rd), offbeat claps bars 3–6; final ch 3-part (lead+5th+low 3rd), 1-beat drop before last line, [voice pickup] on final hook. hook motif: g b a | g d. drone: g–d
Lyrics
Lyrics:
when i was little, life was easy, no roles in sight,
barefoot through days, low-key wild, high-key bright.
then came the time my body turned a page;
i faced the mirror, said: i’ll grow with age.
my chest grew too, my eyes grew brave each day-
i told myself, i’ll learn the way.
i am who i am, i carry my light through town;
my heart counts four, i won’t slow down.
i choose the tempo, choose who walks with me;
when i say halt, the room goes still.
i am who i am - come slow and you will see.
at eighteen i learned my yes and no,
first kisses, long nights, honest and slow.
i practiced closeness, held when it got wild;
respect first, then fire - open and mild.
i am who i am, i carry my light through town;
my heart counts four, i won’t slow down.
i choose the tempo, choose who walks with me;
when i say halt, the room goes still.
i am who i am - come slow and you will see.
i learned to flirt like dancing - soft, then clear;
a smile for color, never without cheer.
i play with charm but fair, an honest line;
we read the signals - yours and mine.
i count soft one to four,
stay just a moment more.
at twenty-five i know what fire can do;
i lead if i want - and stop on cue.
i know my cards and lay them warm, not loud;
my body, voice, and name - i’m allowed.
i am who i am, i carry my light through town;
my heart counts four, and all fits now.
i choose the nearness, choose the road with me;
when i say stay…
you feel it too, you see.
i am who i am - now whistle the hook with me.
i am who i am - and tonight i shine out loud.