2009 (Dame Shirley Bassey Concert TV Special) ABOUT this song: "I Am What I Am" is a song originally featured on the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles (1983--1987). The song is found on the finale number of the play's first act, and performed by the character of Albin Mougeotte, first played by George Hearn. The song was composed in 1983 by Jerry Herman, an openly gay man. The song has since been covered by the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Marti Webb, Joannie Taylor, Carol Jiani, Amanda Lear, Hannah Jones, Soraya Arnelas, Ken Page, Gerard-Rene-Gordon, Doug Shneider, Teatro, Linda Eder, John Barrowman, Amateur Transplants, Karen Mulder and Anthony Warlow. I Am What I Am was the only studio album recorded by Shirley Bassey for the Towerbell Records label, several other tracks were also recorded at this label and issued as singles only. The recording sessions took place at Olympic Studios, Barnes, London, in July and August 1984. Following the success of the previous album All by Myself this album peaked at number 25 in the UK album chart and reached Gold status. This release was the first digitally recorded album made by Shirley Bassey and was issued on vinyl, cassette and CD. Consisting of mainly re-recordings from Shirley Bassey's back catalogue and two new songs, this album was recorded 'live' with The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carl Davies. The album also reunited Shirley Bassey with Norman Newell, who had served successfully as her producer throughout the 1960s. LYRICS: I am what I am I am my own special creation So come take a look Give me the hook or the ovation It's my world That I want to have a little pride in My world And it's not a place I have to hide in Life's not worth a damn Till you can say I am what I am I am what I am I don't want praise I don't want pity I bang my own drum Some think it's noise I think it's pretty And so what if I love each sparkle and each bangle Why not try to see things from a different angle Your life is a sham Till you can shout out I am what I am I am what I am And what I am needs no excuses I deal my own deck Sometimes the aces sometimes the deuces It's one life and there's no return and no deposit One life so it's time to open up your closet Life's not worth a damn till you can shout out I am what I am