I Am What I Am (From "La cage aux folles")

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

'Til you can say, "Hey world, 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 nice

I think it's pretty

And so what, if I love each feather and each spangle

Why not try to see things from a different angle?

Your life is a sham

'Til you can shout out loud

"I am what I am"

I am what I am

And what I am

Needs no excuses

I deal my own deck

Sometimes the ace

Sometimes the deuces

There'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

'Til you can say

"Hey world, I am what I am"