What I Am
Encyclopedia
"What I Am" is a song written by Edie Brickell
and Kenny Withrow and recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
for their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
(1988). It peaked at number thirty-one in the United Kingdom, while reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100
in the United States. This version was ranked number seventy-seven on VH1
's list of The 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonder
s. The song was featured in a 1989 episode of Miami Vice
, an episode of Beavis and Butthead, as well as an episode of Doogie Howser, M.D.
and in the 1989 Patrick Dempsey
film Loverboy
.
Side A:
Side B:
12" single / 3" CD single
by the English duo Tin Tin Out
featuring vocals of former Spice Girl Emma Bunton
. Released in November 1999 as the second single
from Tin Tin Out's second studio album, Eleven to Fly (1999). It also appeared on Bunton's debut solo album, A Girl Like Me
(2001).
Tin Tin Out and Bunton's version debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart
, losing the battle against Bunton's former co-Spice Girl
member Geri Halliwell
's "Lift Me Up
". It sold 106,000 copies to get to number two in its first week and around 221,787 copies altogether. "What I Am" was the UK's eighty-eighth best-selling single of 1999.
Edie Brickell
Edie Arlisa Brickell is an American singer-songwriter best known for 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went #4 on the US Albums Chart.-Life and career:...
and Kenny Withrow and recorded by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians is an alternative rock jam band that originated in Texas in the mid-1980s. The band is best known for their 1988 hit "What I Am" from the album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars. Their music contains elements of rock, folk, blues, and jazz...
for their debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
-Personnel:NEW BOHEMIANS*Edie Brickell - vocals*Kenny Withrow - guitar*Brad Houser - bass*Brandon Aly - drums *John Bush - percussionwith:*Robbie Blunt - guitar*John Henry - background vocals...
(1988). It peaked at number thirty-one in the United Kingdom, while reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in the United States. This version was ranked number seventy-seven on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
's list of The 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonder
One-hit wonder
A one-hit wonder is a person or act known mainly for only a single success. The term is most often used to describe music performers with only one hit single.-Characteristics:...
s. The song was featured in a 1989 episode of Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
, an episode of Beavis and Butthead, as well as an episode of Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D. is an American television comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris as a 16-year-old doctor who also faces the problems of being a normal teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, ABC aired the show from 1989 to 1993 for four seasons totaling 97 episodes.-Plot:Dr....
and in the 1989 Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
film Loverboy
Loverboy (1989 film)
Loverboy is a 1989 American comedy film starring Patrick Dempsey, Kirstie Alley, and Carrie Fisher.-Plot:Randy Bodek is a rebellious slacker in college, living with his girlfriend Jenny . His father, furious over Randy's lack of direction or work ethic, pulls the funding for college and requires...
.
Track listings
7" single / cassette singleSide A:
- "What I Am" – 4:54
Side B:
- "I Do" – 2:00
12" single / 3" CD single
- "What I Am" – 4:54
- "I Do" – 2:00
- "Walk on the Wildside" – 5:52
Charts
| Chart (1988–1989) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Modern Rock Tracks | 4 |
| U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 9 |
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
18 |
| Canadian Singles Chart RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
31 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
7 |
Tin Tin Out and Emma Bunton version
The song was coveredCover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
by the English duo Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out is a UK electronic dance music duo comprising Darren Stokes and Lindsay Edwards.-Career:They are well known as active remixers, working on increasingly higher-profile songs as the 1990s progressed, however also have their own recording careers...
featuring vocals of former Spice Girl Emma Bunton
Emma Bunton
Emma Lee Bunton is an English pop singer/songwriter and TV and radio presenter. She was a member of the 1990s girl group, the Spice Girls, in which she was known as Baby Spice as she was the youngest member. In 2010, she joined the judging panel on ITV's Dancing on Ice...
. Released in November 1999 as the second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from Tin Tin Out's second studio album, Eleven to Fly (1999). It also appeared on Bunton's debut solo album, A Girl Like Me
A Girl Like Me (Emma Bunton album)
A Girl Like Me is the debut solo album by English recording artist Emma Bunton, released in the United Kingdom on 16 April 2001 by Virgin Records. The album debuted and peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart, with 21,500 copies sold in its first week. Although initial success was promising, A...
(2001).
Tin Tin Out and Bunton's version debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, losing the battle against Bunton's former co-Spice Girl
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
member Geri Halliwell
Geri Halliwell
Geraldine Estelle "Geri" Halliwell is an English pop singer-songwriter, author and actress. After coming to international prominence in the late 1990s as Ginger Spice, a member of the girl group the Spice Girls, Halliwell launched her solo career in 1998 and released her album Schizophonic...
's "Lift Me Up
Lift Me Up (Geri Halliwell song)
"Lift Me Up" is a song by Geri Halliwell, the third single from her debut solo album Schizophonic. It was released on 1 November 1999, and debuted and peaked at number-one in the United Kingdom, winning the battle against Emma Bunton's "What I Am" by 33,000 copies.-Chart performance:Geri released...
". It sold 106,000 copies to get to number two in its first week and around 221,787 copies altogether. "What I Am" was the UK's eighty-eighth best-selling single of 1999.
Track listing
UK CD single- "What I Am" (Radio Version) – 3:54
- "What I Am" (GangstarrGang StarrGang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
Remix) – 4:07 - "Weird (Save Yourself)" (Tin Tin Out featuring Wendy Page) – 5:42
Charts
| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
65 |
| German Singles Chart Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
81 |
| Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... |
14 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart Recording Industry Association of New Zealand The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand is a non-profit trade association of record producers, distributors and recording artists who sell music in New Zealand... |
48 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
2 |
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
| Dutch Single Top 100 | 94 |
| French Singles Chart Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique The Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique is the inter-professional organization which protects the interests of the French record industry... |
75 |
| Swedish Singles Chart Sverigetopplistan Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association .... |
52 |
Other cover versions
- The song was covered by neo soulNeo soulThe term neo soul was originally coined by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late 1990s as a marketing category following the commercial breakthroughs of artists such as D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and Maxwell...
singer Sy SmithSy SmithSy Olivia Smith is an American Emmy nominated singer-songwriter. Born in New York, New York, Smith rose to fame in the late 1990s when she signed a recording contract with Hollywood Records. Smith released her first studio album Psykosoul in 2000, which spawned the singles "Gladly" and "Good N...
in 2000 for her debut album, PsykosoulPsykosoulPsykosoul is the first studio album by R&B/neo soul singer/songwriter Sy Smith, released in 2000 on Hollywood Records. The critically acclaimed album included the singles "Gladly" and "Good N'Strong," as well as a standout cover of Edie Brickell's "What I Am" which also made an appearance on the...
. - The song was covered by heavy metalHeavy metal musicHeavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band F5F5 (band)F5 is a heavy metal band which features Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson and ex-drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. F5 is based out of Phoenix, Arizona.- Former Megadeth Members:...
for their 2005 album A Drug for All Seasons. - ItalianItalyItaly , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
group Nossa Alma Canta covered the song in bossa novaBossa novaBossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
style on the 2008 album I Was Made for Bossa. - The song was covered by a Polish hard rock/metal band Zalef in 2004 for their debut album, Pistolet.
- An instrumental jazz cover of the song was released by Charlie HunterCharlie Hunterfor the New Zealand racehorse trainer and driver see: Charlie HunterCharlie Hunter is an American guitarist, composer and bandleader....
, Earl "Chinna" Smith, and Ernest RanglinErnest RanglinErnest Ranglin O.D. is a Jamaican guitarist and composer. Best known for his session work at the famed Studio One, Ranglin helped give birth to the ska genre in the late 1950s...
on their 2005 collaborative album Earth Tones.
Sampling
- The song was sampledSampling (music)In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
by Brand NubianBrand NubianBrand Nubian is an American hip hop group from New Rochelle, New York, consisting of three MC's: Grand Puba , Sadat X and Lord Jamar , and two DJs: DJ Alamo and DJ Sincere...
on their 1990 song "Slow Down". - The song was sampled by New EditionNew EditionNew Edition is an R&B group formed in Boston in 1978. The group reached its height of popularity during the 1980s. They were the progenitors of the boy band movement of the 1980s and 1990s and led the way for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync...
on their song "Something About YouSomething About You (New Edition song)"Something About You" was the third single on New Edition's Home Again album. Ralph Tresvant lead vocals and Bobby Brown co-lead vocals. All six members sing background vocals. The video for "Something About You" was shot at Villa Vizcaya in Miami and once again featured all six members...
", from their 1996 album Home AgainHome Again (New Edition album)Home Again is the sixth studio album by American R&B group New Edition. Released on September 15, 1996, it is the group's only album as a sextet, and was their final recording for MCA Records...
. - The hook of this song was reused by Smokin' Suckaz wit LogicSmokin' Suckaz wit LogicSmokin' Suckaz wit Logic is a hip-hop band from New York.-Biography:The multi-ethnic band was formed in 1990 and consisted of G "Suave" a rapper of Puerto Rican descent , Darren "D-Smooth" Lolk , Money Mike , Curtis "Mr." Watts Smokin' Suckaz wit Logic is a hip-hop band from New York.-Biography:The...
on their 1993 song "Mutha Made 'Em". - Portions of the song were resung by Lauryn HillLauryn HillLauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...
and sampled into Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
's 1998 hit "A Rose Is Still a Rose". - The drum beat from an Italian bootleg version of the song was sampled and looped on Primal ScreamPrimal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
's "LoadedLoaded (song)"Loaded" is a song recorded by the rock band Primal Scream. It was the first single released from the group's 1991 breakthrough album, Screamadelica.-Inspiration and composition:...
". - The guitar riff used by Tin Tin OutTin Tin OutTin Tin Out is a UK electronic dance music duo comprising Darren Stokes and Lindsay Edwards.-Career:They are well known as active remixers, working on increasingly higher-profile songs as the 1990s progressed, however also have their own recording careers...
in their remix of The Corrs'The CorrsThe Corrs are an Irish band which combine pop rock with traditional Celtic folk music. The brother and sisters are from Dundalk, Ireland. The group consists of the Corr siblings: Andrea ; Sharon ; Caroline ; and Jim .The Corrs came to international prominence with their performance at the...
What Can I Do is strikingly similar to the main guitar riff in "What I Am." Tin Tin Out would then go on to cover this song (see above). - Eminem sampled this on his 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance of "The Real Slim Shady/The Way I Am"