Malta, the island nation bounding in talent, has yet again sent one of their best and brightest to represent the country. After winning Malta’s national final, Emma Muscat will sing at Eurovision 2022. She’ll perform the song “I Am What I Am”.

Scroll down for the “I Am What I Am” lyrics

Malta in Eurovision 2022: Emma Muscat “I Am What I Am”

Emma Muscat is an accomplished singer, dancer and instrumentalist, with a focus on the piano. Emma’s musical success led her to participate in the 2018 edition of Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi, finishing in fourth place in the singing category and scoring a contract with Warner Music Italy. She later released her first EP, Moments, followed up with a Christmas album. Due to her success in Italy, Emma has collaborated and featured in songs by famed Italian rappers Shade, Junior Cally, and Astol.

This year, Maltese network PBS returned to a national selection, Malta Eurovision Song Contest, a method last used in 2018. Emma took out the competition with a solid win with the jury and televote. However, despite winning MESC with “Out of Sight”, Emma and broadcaster PBS opted to change her entry for Eurovision to “I Am What I Am”.

The song was written by Emma along with the Scandi songwriters Dino Medanhodzic (Dotter’s “Bulletproof” in Melodifestivalen 2018), Julie Aagaard (Klara Hammerstöm’s “Run to the Hills” in Melodifestivalen 2022) and Stine Kinck.

What do the lyrics mean in “I Am What I Am”?

“I Am What I Am” is a mid-tempo anthem about resilience and being true to yourself. It’s a song about not conforming to the norm, and opens with a story of self-reassurance after taking a hit. The pre-chorus is prophetic and actionable, with Emma declaring her intention of “taking a stand”, no matter what the odds. The song is a masterclass in sticking true to your guns.

Self doubt continues to raise its head in the second verse, with references to “Devil’s inside my head”, but they are shut up after Emma has “enough” of them. She continues this self-affirmation throughout the song.

The phrase “I Am What I Am” has many references to past history, with strong Biblical history as well as one of the songs in the Broadway musical La Cage aux Folles. The themes of that song carry through to Emma’s own take on the phrase, reaffirming one’s self belief and identity.

“I Am What I Am” lyrics – Emma Muscat (Malta Eurovision 2022)

Music and lyrics: Emma Muscat, Dino Medanhodzic, Julie Aagaard, Stine Kinck

Every time I fall down
As soon as I hit the ground
Remind me who I am
And I get back up again
Getting up, getting up, yeah

This is my master plan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I am

I am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am

Devils inside my head (yeah)
Late at night in my bed (yeah)
It’s time I shut you up, yeah
‘Cause I think I’ve had enough
I’ve had enough, had enough, yeah

This is my master plan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I am

I am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am (ooh, yeah)

Oh, yeah
Oh-ooh
I am what I am
I am what I am

This is my master plan
I’m gonna take a stand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am
I believe that I can
I’m gonna take command
Take it or leave it
I am what I am

I am what I am
I am what I am
Bending backwards trying to fit in
I’ll make them understand
Take it or leave it
I am what I am

Do you connect with the lyrics of “I Am What I Am”? How do you think Emma Muscat will do for Malta at Eurovision 2022? Let us know in the comments below.

 

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monica
monica
1 year ago

Hate comments coming out! Some need to live and let go.

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

Is she really singing about accepting herself? Watch her have a ton of plastic surgeries by her 30s. Her family’s money are more than enough to get her transformed into a cyborg

The truth
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

Are you a clairvoyant, knowing what someone will be doing in the future?

Yannis
Yannis
1 year ago

I.M of the israeli singer talk about his childhood and how he ovecome his fears and how he believe in himself even tho everyone around him told him he is “freak”,”gay”, “joke” and tries to pull him down.

“I am what I am” tho is a lame song that wrote only for the jury… I’m not even going to talk about the fact that the song comes way after “I.M” was released, they only tries to steal the message of the israeli song.

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago
Reply to  Yannis

Perfectly portrayed the hypocrisy of the Matlese entry this year in your comment. I mean, how can you self-reflect through a song that you didn’t even contribute a minimum of 5% of the effort in the lyrical composition, darling? Maybe you do rely on others to tell you who you are after all? Another reason for Michael Ben David to bury this entry deep into the ground with his own act.

Yannis
Yannis
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

That’s why I’m quite happy that Israel is number 2 in the order of performances because Michael’s performance will be before Malta’s song and that’s how the Israeli performance will bury the performance of the Maltese song. After the Israeli performance, the Maltese song will sound awkward and copied.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

For me the worst Maltese since 2013. At least there was some hope with Out Of Sight. I fear a response similar to Breathlessly from the televote.

The truth
1 year ago
Reply to  Yannis

And you think I.M wasn’t written for the jury too? Using your logic it seems only gay people are entitled to celebrate themselves.