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I Am What I Am

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[Verse 1]
N.C.                                              C  
Perhaps, I'll never show this world all I could be
I jEust can't sing to any man the Fsong he Gwants to Chear
And I kFnow that some won't Glike me
Others Ctry to be my fAmriend
But FI'm all of me and that's Gall that I Cam
[Chorus]
And if lEife is for the living
Then whFy can't Gmen be reaCl
'Stead of hFidin' in their Ccostumes?
FForgettin' how to fEeel
FForgettin' hoGw to fCeel
[Verse 2]
We sCtill live in a time when manners cFover wGhat is rCeal
There's a Ebasic fact of life that the Ftimes caGnnot conCceal
That if Fsome are masGqueraders
Others lCive in their Amfacade
FBut I'm what I am, I cannot Gbe what I am nCot
[Chorus]
And if lEife is for the living
Then whFy can't Gmen be reaCl
'Stead of hFidin' in their Ccostumes?
FForgettin' how to fEeel
FForgettin' hoGw to fCeel
[Interlude]
D G
[Verse 3]
I mCay be too honest and ofFfend those Gwho pCretend
I don't Eclaim I'm always right, that I'm FeveryGbody's Cfriend
PerFhaps for them it's Geasier to bCe what tGhey are Amnot
FBut I'm what I am
And I jGust can't play that pCart
[Chorus]
And if lEife is for the living
Then whFy can't Gmen be reaCl
'Stead of hFidin' in their Ccostumes?
FForgettin' how to fEeel
FForgettin' hoGw to fCeel
[Outro]
D G C

All chords in this song (6)

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I Am What I Am

by Jim Croce

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[Verse 1]

N.C.

Perhaps, I'll never show this world all I could be

E F G C

I just can't sing to any man the song he wants to hear

F G

And I know that some won't like me

C Am

Others try to be my friend

F G C

But I'm all of me and that's all that I am

[Chorus]

And if life is for the living

F G C

Then why can't men be real

F C

'Stead of hidin' in their costumes?

F E

Forgettin' how to feel

F G C

Forgettin' how to feel

[Verse 2]

C F G C

We still live in a time when manners cover what is real

E F G C

There's a basic fact of life that the times cannot conceal

F G

That if some are masqueraders

C Am

Others live in their facade

F G C

But I'm what I am, I cannot be what I am not

[Chorus]

And if life is for the living

F G C

Then why can't men be real

F C

'Stead of hidin' in their costumes?

F E

Forgettin' how to feel

F G C

Forgettin' how to feel

[Interlude]

D G

[Verse 3]

C F G C

I may be too honest and offend those who pretend

E F G C

I don't claim I'm always right, that I'm everybody's friend

F G C G Am

Perhaps for them it's easier to be what they are not

But I'm what I am

G C

And I just can't play that part

[Chorus]

And if life is for the living

F G C

Then why can't men be real

F C

'Stead of hidin' in their costumes?

F E

Forgettin' how to feel

F G C

Forgettin' how to feel

[Outro]

D G C

About I Am What I Am Chords by Jim Croce

Learn how to play I Am What I Am by Jim Croce with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “I Am What I Am chords”, “I Am What I Am guitar chords”, or “Jim Croce I Am What I Am chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy I Am What I Am chords and for experienced players who want accurate I Am What I Am lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, E, F, G, Am, D.

FAQ — I Am What I Am by Jim Croce

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What key is "I Am What I Am" in?

The chords for "I Am What I Am" show the original chord names (including C, E, F, G, Am, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.