Introduction
“Who Am I?”, recorded in 1972, is a song from Elvis Presley’s album Elvis. The song was written by Jerry Chesnut, and it is a soulful ballad that explores themes of identity and self-discovery.
The song begins with Elvis asking himself the quintessential question, “Who am I?” He goes on to reflect on his life and career, and the many different roles he has played: from humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to global superstar and icon.
Elvis sings about how he has been defined by his music, his movies, and his public image, but he is still struggling to understand his true self. He asks, “Am I the man you see on TV? / Am I the singer who sings the songs? / Or am I just a shadow of the man I used to be?”
In the chorus, Elvis pleads, “Won’t somebody tell me who I am?” He is searching for something deeper and more meaningful than his public persona. He wants to know who he is at his core, beyond the fame and fortune.
The song’s bridge is a particularly poignant moment, as Elvis sings about the loneliness and isolation that often comes with fame. He says, “I’m surrounded by people, but I’m still alone / I’m the center of attention, but I feel so unknown.”
In the end, Elvis does not find a definitive answer to the question of who he is. But the song is a powerful and moving exploration of the human condition, and it remains one of Elvis’ most enduring and beloved ballads.
Historical Context
The song “Who Am I?” was released at a time when Elvis was at a crossroads in his career. He had returned from a two-year hiatus in the army, and he was struggling to find his place in the music industry. The rock and roll scene had changed dramatically while he was away, and Elvis was no longer the undisputed king.
The song can be seen as a reflection of Elvis’ own identity crisis at the time. He was no longer the young, rebellious rocker who had taken the world by storm in the 1950s. He was now a married man with a child, and he was trying to find his way in a new and ever-changing world.
The song also speaks to the broader cultural upheaval of the early 1970s. The Vietnam War was raging, and the civil rights movement was in full swing. People were questioning traditional values and authority figures, and they were searching for new meaning and purpose in their lives.
Conclusion
“Who Am I?” is a timeless song that resonates with people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is a song about the search for identity and meaning, and it is a song that continues to inspire and uplift us even today.
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Lyrics
When I think of how He came so far from glory
Came to dwell among the lowly such as I
To suffer shame and such disgrace
On Mount Calvary take my place
Then I ask myself this question
Who am I?Who am I that The King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thy Lord
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
But to that old rugged cross He’d go
For who am I?When I’m reminded of His words
I’ll leave Him never
If you’ll be true I’ll give to you life forever
Oh I wonder what I could have done
To deserve God’s only Son
To fight my battles until they’re won
For who am I?Who am I that The King would bleed and die for
Who am I that He would pray not my will, Thy Lord
The answer I may never know
Why He ever loved me so
But to that old rugged cross He’d go
For who am I?
But to an old rugged cross He’d go for, who am I?