"What I Am"
Single by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
from the album Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars
B-side
ReleasedNovember 1, 1988 (1988-11-01)
StudioRockfield (Wales, UK)
Length
  • 4:54 (album version)
  • 3:40 (single edit)
LabelGeffen
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pat Moran
Edie Brickell & New Bohemians singles chronology
"What I Am"
(1988) 		"Circle"
(1988)
Music video
"What I Am" on YouTube

"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). The song is highlighted by a guitar solo that notably features an envelope filter. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100, topped the Canadian RPM 100 Singles chart, and became a top-20 hit in Australia and New Zealand. "What I Am" was ranked number 23 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s".[1]

English music duo Tin Tin Out collaborated with Spice Girl Emma Bunton to release a cover of "What I Am" in November 1999. This version became the more successful one in the UK, peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart and receiving a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry.

Background

Edie Brickell said:

The lyrics came from my one elective in my first year in college, world religions. From the time I could first think, I wondered, What does the rest of the world think? I know what these Texas folks think, but what’s going on in the rest of the world? So I took this world religions class, and I was immediately annoyed at the chatter going on in the classroom. To adopt behaviors, to adopt some sort of dogma, I felt defeated the purpose of evolution. That song just blossomed from irritation.[2]

On the "choke me in the shallow water" lyric, she said, "That’s the part that was irritating about the class. Everybody was getting so deep in terms of making things up—'Does this mean this and does that mean that?' I was just irritated, like, just kill me now before I get out there and lose myself and my sense of who I am."[2]

Composition

"What I Am" is written in the key of B minor in 4
4 time with a tempo of 89 beats per minute. The song follows a chord progression of Bsus2–Dsus2–Asus2, and the vocals span from G3 to B4.[3][4]

Critical reception

Betty Page from Record Mirror wrote, "Like so many other singles this week, this is pleasantly quirky but not terribly inspiring. Edie's yet another female singer/songstress who sings and strums a guitar in a rustic fashion which makes you forget what the song sounds like before it's finished."[5] Cash Box called it "one of the catchiest, anti-philosophical, tongue-in-cheek ditties since Peggy Lee's 'Is That All There Is?.'"[6]

Track listings

US, European, and Australian 7-inch single; US cassette single[7][8][9]

A. "What I Am" (LP version) – 4:54
B. "I Do" (LP version) – 2:00

Canadian and UK 7-inch single[10][11]

A. "What I Am" (edit) – 3:43
B. "I Do" (LP version) – 2:00

12-inch and UK mini-CD single[12][13]

  1. "What I Am" (LP version)
  2. "I Do" (LP version)
  3. "Walk on the Wild Side" – 5:52

Personnel

New Bohemians

Additional personnel

Charts

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States November 1, 1988
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
 Geffen [14][29]
United Kingdom January 16, 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
 [30]
Japan February 10, 1989 Mini-CD [31]
United Kingdom February 20, 1989
  • 7-inch vinyl box set
  • mini-CD
 [32]

Tin Tin Out and Emma Bunton version

"What I Am"
Single by Tin Tin Out and Emma Bunton
from the album Eleven to Fly
B-side"Weird (Save Yourself)"
ReleasedNovember 1, 1999 (1999-11-01)
RecordedJune 1999
StudioSarm West (London, England)
Length3:54
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Tin Tin Out
Tin Tin Out singles chronology
"Eleven to Fly"
(1999) 		"What I Am"
(1999) 		"Anybody's Guess"
(2000)
Emma Bunton singles chronology
"What I Am"
(1999) 		"What Took You So Long?"
(2001)
Audio
"What I Am" on YouTube

The song was covered by English electronic music duo Tin Tin Out and English singer Emma Bunton. It was released on November 1, 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). Bunton recorded her vocals at London's Sarm West Studios in June 1999.[33] The collaboration was the first release for Bunton to appear as a solo artist.

Tin Tin Out and Bunton's version debuted and peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, 29 places higher than the original version 10 years previously. It sold 106,300 copies during its first week of release and has sold over 234,000 copies in the UK.[34] "What I Am" was the UK's 88th-best-selling single of 1999.

Track listings

Standard CD and UK cassette single[35][36]

  1. "What I Am" (radio version)
  2. "What I Am" (Gangstarr remix)
  3. "Weird (Save Yourself)" (featuring Wendy Page)

UK 12-inch single[37]

A1. "T.W.M." (DJ Jam X & De Leon remix)
B1. "What I Am" (Gangstarr remix)
B2. "What I Am" (Groove Chronicles remix)

European CD single[38]

  1. "What I Am" (radio version)
  2. "What I Am" (Gangstarr remix)

Personnel

Personnel are taken from the UK CD single liner notes.[35]

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[52] Silver 234,000[34]

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United Kingdom November 1, 1999
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[53]
New Zealand December 13, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [54]

References

  1. ^ Ali, Rahsheeda (May 2, 2013). "100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the '80s". VH1. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Maiscott, Mary Lyn (January 11, 2011). "Q&A: Edie Brickell Won't Let Husband Paul Simon Hear Her Records". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Aly, Brandon. "Edie Brickell & New Bohemians "What I Am" Guitar Tab in D Major - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "What I Am - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Spot On Track". www.spotontrack.com. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  5. ^ Page, Betty (January 28, 1989). "45". Record Mirror. p. 29. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  6. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cash Box. October 29, 1988. p. 10. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  7. ^ What I Am (US & Australian 7-inch single vinyl disc). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1988. 7-27696.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ What I Am (European 7-inch single vinyl disc). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1988. 927 696-7.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ What I Am (US cassette single cassette notes). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1988. 4-27696.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ What I Am (Canadian 7-inch single vinyl disc). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1988. 92 76967.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ What I Am (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1989. GEF 49, 927 568-7.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ What I Am (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1989. GEF 49T, 921 153-0.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ What I Am (UK mini-CD single liner notes). Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Geffen Records. 1989. GEF 49CD, 921 153-2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ a b "Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – What I Am". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  15. ^ "RPM 100 Singles – March 11, 1989" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 19. March 11, 1989. p. 6. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  16. ^ "RPM 30 Retail Singles – March 11, 1989" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 19. March 11, 1989. p. 14. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  17. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 10. March 11, 1989. p. 25. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  18. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Edie Brickell". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  19. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Edie Brickell & New Bohemians".
  20. ^ "Edie Brickell & New Bohemians – What I Am". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  21. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  22. ^ "Edie Brickell Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Edie Brickell Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  24. ^ "Edie Brickell Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  25. ^ "Edie Brickell Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  26. ^ "USA Cashbox Charts Summaries". popmusichistory. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  27. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '89". RPM. Retrieved November 8, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  28. ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1989". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  29. ^ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. p. 90. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
  30. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. January 14, 1989. p. 24.
  31. ^ "ホワット・アイ・アム | エディ・ブリケル&ニュー・ボヘミアンズ" [What I Am | Edie Brickell & New Bohemians] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
  32. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. February 18, 1989. p. 31.
  33. ^ "News". Music Week. June 19, 1999. p. 3. Spice Girl Emma Bunton last week recorded vocals for a track by label-mates Tin Tin Out at Sarm West Studio.
  34. ^ a b White, Jack (January 21, 2020). "Emma Bunton's Official Top 10 biggest songs in the UK". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  35. ^ a b What I Am (UK, Australian, Malaysian & Taiwanese CD single liner notes). Tin Tin Out. VC Recordings, Virgin Records. 1999. VCRD53, 7243 8 96383 2 5.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  36. ^ What I Am (UK cassette single sleeve). Tin Tin Out. VC Recordings, Virgin Records. 1999. VCRC53, 7243 8 96383 4 9.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  37. ^ What I Am (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Tin Tin Out. VC Recordings, Virgin Records. 1999. VCRT53, 7243 8 96383 6 3.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ^ What I Am (European CD single liner notes). Tin Tin Out. VC Recordings, Virgin Records. 1999. VCRDE53, 7243 8 96393 2 2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  39. ^ "ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 24th January 2000". ARIA. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  40. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 47. November 20, 1999. p. 19. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  41. ^ "Tin Tin Out feat. Emma Bunton – What I Am" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  42. ^ "Tin Tin Out feat. Emma Bunton – What I Am" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  43. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 20 (23.12 – 13.12 1999)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). December 31, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  44. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tin Tin Out featuring Emma Bunton". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  45. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 6, 2000" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  46. ^ "Tin Tin Out feat. Emma Bunton – What I Am" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  47. ^ "Tin Tin Out feat. Emma Bunton – What I Am". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  49. ^ "Tin Tin Out feat. Emma Bunton – What I Am". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  50. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  51. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England: United Business Media. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  52. ^ "British single certifications – Tin Tin Out ft Emma B – What I Am". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  53. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 1 November, 1999: Singles". Music Week. October 30, 1999. p. 33.
  54. ^ "New Releases". netcd.co.nz. December 13, 1999. Archived from the original on December 17, 1999. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
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