“What I Am” is the signature hit by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, released in 1988 as the lead single from their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars. Co-written by Brickell and guitarist Kenny Withrow, the song reached No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Canadian RPM chart, becoming a defining track of the late 80s alternative rock scene.
Origins and Inspiration Brickell wrote the lyrics based on her frustration with a college world religions elective at Southern Methodist University. She was annoyed by classmates who adopted dogmatic behaviors and overly complex philosophical discourse, which she felt hindered personal evolution. The song’s refrain, “What I am is what I am,” emphasizes authenticity and self-acceptance over societal or intellectual scrutiny.
Musical Composition and Production The track is characterized by a laid-back, jazz-inflected groove driven by a fretless bassline and subtle guitar work. A distinctive envelope filter (auto-wah) effect on Withrow’s guitar solo provides the song’s sonic fingerprint. Produced by Pat Moran at Rockfield Studios in Wales, the recording captured the band’s intimate, conversational style, contrasting sharply with the hair metal and dance music prevalent in 1988.
Band History and Legacy Edie Brickell was not an original member of the Dallas-based band; she joined as lead vocalist in 1985 after sitting in on stage during a performance. The band signed with Geffen Records in 1986, and the massive success of “What I Am” propelled them to national prominence. Despite their success, the band is often categorized as a one-hit wonder, as their subsequent singles failed to replicate the chart performance of their debut. Brickell later married Paul Simon in 1992 after meeting him during the band’s appearance on Saturday Night Live.
[Verse 1]
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box
Religion is the smile on a dog
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
D-do ya?
[Pre-Chorus]
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
[Chorus]
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or–?
[Verse 2]
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
Philosophy is a walk on the slippery rocks
Religion is a light in the fog
I’m not aware of too many things
I know what I know, if you know what I mean
D-do ya?
[Pre-Chorus]
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
[Chorus]
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what you are?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
[Guitar Solo]
Ha, la-da, da
I say, I say, I say
I do hey, hey-hey-hey, hey, hey
[Pre-Chorus]
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
[Chorus]
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
Choke me in the shallow water
Before I get too deep
[Bridge]
Don’t let me get too deep
Don’t let me get too deep
Don’t let me get too deep
Don’t let me get too deep
[Chorus]
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what you are–?
What I am is what I am
Are you what you are, or what?
[Outro]
Or what you are, or?
Or what you are, or?
Or, or, or
What I am
What I am…
