Village People – I Am What I Am (Germany 12″)

BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1978

“I Am What I Am” is a song written by Victor Willis, Henri Belolo, Peter Whitehead and Jacques Morali that was first released by the Village People on their 1978 album Macho Man. It was also released as a single with “Key West,” also from Macho man, as the b-side in some countries including Germany and the UK. It did not chart in those countries, but it reached #4 on the Billboard Dance Chart in a medley with “Key West” and “Macho Man.” It has since been released on several Village People greatest hits compilation albums. It was also included on the soundtrack for the 1978 film Thank God It’s Friday.

Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider described “I Am What I Am” as a “human-rights anthem.” Village People singer Randy Jones describes the song as “a gay liberation statement, aimed directly at gays and lesbians who were standing up without apology for their lifestyle” and as the group’s “first gay liberation song.” He says that the theme of the song is the virtue of being yourself, and not just if you’re gay or transgender but even just if you want to dress in an unusual manner, as long as you don’t hurt anyone else. Author Michael DeAngelis describes the theme as being “pride and faithfulness to the individual and authentic self.” DeAngelis notes that this theme had particular resonance at the time, when the gay community was in the process of “coming out” and a general cultural obsession was finding healthy ways to feel good about oneself. Author Frédéric Martel identifies “I Am What I Am” as one of five Village People songs that were touchstones to the gay movement in France when they came out (“San Francisco (You’ve Got Me),” “Macho Man,” “Y.M.C.A.” and “In the Navy” being the others).

Author Judith A. Peraino described “I Am What I Am” as a “hit single” while Boze Hadleigh described it as a “pre-hit.” Author Sharon Davis claimed that lyrics are “so camp they have to held down with tent pegs.” But Billboard described it as “provocative,” describing it as a “gay pride anthem with its activist lyrics and basic theme.” Billboard also praised the rhythm and percussion and horn arrangements. Allmusic critic Amy Hanson described it as “a well-constructed slab of groove,” despite lacking subtlety. Rolling Stone critic Mitchell Schneider regarded “I Am What I Am” as the best song on Macho Man stating that Willis’ voice is “full of anger and delight” on the song and concluding that “because the song seems so committed, it makes the rest of the material sound downright pointless.”

The song’s title was later reused by Jerry Herman for a 1983 hit song performed by Gloria Gaynor, which also had gay pride as a theme. Reebok later used the title phrase for a successful sneaker advertising campaign.

SIDE A:
I Am What I Am 5:28

SIDE B:
Macho Man 5:00

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Telefunken ‎– 6.20 011, Telefunken ‎– 6.20011
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: Germany
Released: 1978
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Disco

CREDITS:
Composed By, Producer – Jacques Morali
Written-By – Whitehead*, Belolo*, Morali*, Willis*

NOTES:
Made in Germany

Special Edits from the LP “MACHO MAN”

Find the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL RESTORATION BY:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon 2M Bronze
Isolation: Auralex Acoustics ISO-Tone Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck 
Phono Pre-amp:
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube:
Tung-Sol 12AX7 TubeGold Pins
Soundcard:
Novation Audiohub 2×4 Audio Interface
Record Cleaning:
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans:
Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2, ocenaudio
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

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Muff Diver
Muff Diver
October 4, 2020 7:51 pm

Thanks Paul, for helping me catch my VP fix this late in the game. I still can’t get over the fact that after several decades of availability, it’s only recently that I’d begun to appreciate this music.

adam
adam
June 14, 2018 1:45 pm
Jermajesty
Jermajesty
June 13, 2018 3:15 am

Thanks Paul, do not know this song but will check it out.

Did you know Village People went New Romantic about 1982-83? Check out the album cover for “Renaissance”!

Randy Metro
Randy Metro
Reply to  Jermajesty
June 13, 2018 3:43 pm

There are no words to describe that Renaissance VP cover. Maybe pathetic for pandering to the New Romantic music wagon. Or Kiss getting a makeover at a beauty school. There were some excellent songs (3 out of 8} with Fireman sounding most like their late ’70’s period. That freakish ghoulish cover doomed the album and turned fans off.

Randy Metro
Randy Metro
June 12, 2018 8:17 pm

Thanks for this Paul! Coincidentally, I’ve been on a Village People kick for the last couple months and created 3 compilation CDs (or Mix CDs) with rare 12″, remixes, instrumentals, later period VP, etc for me & one of my friends. Takes us back to the 70’s when their music was first released. Fans may be interested to know that my Holy Grail was Randy Jones’ first solo album, or EP, from 1982. I did succeed in finding a vinyl rip which I cleaned up and posted to YouTube. You will be surprised how good his voice was/is as well… Read more »

Randy Metro
Randy Metro
Reply to  DjPaulT
September 20, 2020 4:21 am

YouTube gave me a strike on my YouTube channel with only 2 strikes left, so I took all my videos off YouTube. Someone copied some of them to his channel, and those are still up if you do a search. Obviously I have no copyrights to the songs, but it was interesting to see that they were my versions as I did minor edits, fixes, speed & volume corrections, etc., and a lot of tedious click pop cleanups from a horrible vinyl rip. I was happy to get the EP and single versions out on the net. Sadly, only 3… Read more »

marcio ama luana
marcio ama luana
June 12, 2018 5:12 pm

great disco

RIchard the Big Bunny
June 12, 2018 2:59 pm

FUN !!!

I’m fanning the flames of my faggotry as we speak …

🙂

Thanks so much!

Walter C
Walter C
June 12, 2018 2:00 pm

This is soooo GAY! Still not being gay, I celebrate the existence of this music that contributed so much to the DISCO genre that I love. DISCO tracks, gay or non-gay will always be welcome.

Daniel
Daniel
June 12, 2018 1:35 pm

Village People were very successful here in France. More than the music itself it’s the message behind the song that I love. Thanks Paul also for yesterday’s post of the monumental classic of Patrick Hernandez’s Born to be alive. Maybe this is going to be a DISCO week…

Song And Dance
Song And Dance
June 12, 2018 1:11 pm

We LOVED the Village People over here. Hence the (somewhat awkward) song for the 1994 soccer world cup in the US. I didn´t really know I Am What I Am. What a great anthem.
My favourite VP song will forever be “In The Navy”. I am just listening to my mediocre vinyl rip of the extended version. LOVE IT.

Rafael Cova
Rafael Cova
June 12, 2018 12:13 pm

Yeahhhhhhh THANKS PAUL!!!!! GAY PRIDE!

Regards Paul.

Fred
Fred
June 12, 2018 12:08 pm

Thanks for the great rip, Paul! I never heard this song before. I really do like Macho Man so that’s a nice bonus! “body body…my body!” So funny hearing those lyrics and wonder what I was like at 8 years old signing Macho Man and In The Navy! I think In The Navy was/is vastly underrated…meaning that it is almost never played although it charted quite well.

And who could forget the Muppet’s version of In The Navy?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwq1_9VH68

Have fun!

Jeff
Jeff
June 12, 2018 11:31 am

This is perfect for Gay Pride Month, Paul!! At first, I thought it was a cover of the Gloria Gaynor smash, but after reading your notes, I really am intrigued by it all. You always have an ear (and heart) on the pulse of the human experience. You carefully choose songs that sometimes reflect our world and culture. Another reason to celebrate you and your musical favorites. Thanks so much for this track and for keeping the Disco dream alive!!

Jeff