"I Am Me" is a song that has featured in the first act of Starlight Express in Bochum since 2018, as well as the 2024 London revival.
Story[]
"I Am Me" introduces the coaches to audience. After Pearl has been introduced to the engines and coaches of the yard, the tensions between both parties have been made clear. Dinah and the coaches lead Pearl in a song of self-confidence and reassurance that no coach needs an engine to be better; Showing coaches are just as important and valuable.
Context[]
"I Am Me" was workshopped in London under the working title "I Got Me". It was developed further by Lloyd Webber and Aquilina, gaining the final title "I Am Me" when added to the 30th anniversary Bochum under the translated title "Ich bin ich".
"I Am Me" challenges the narratives and messages of its predecessors in the score, A Lotta Locomotion and Whole Lotta Locomotion. The original number introduces the Coaches in the context of professional rolling stock - forming a passenger train is their function. The re-written "Whole Lotta" from 2003 brings in heavy amounts of innuendo in what a coach is looking for in a partner and focuses on the context of racing and coupling up. "I Am Me" introduces a stance of independence instead of reliance on the engines and having to advertise themselves well in order to be chosen as a race partner, establishing an equal opportunity partnership.
The melody for this number is a reprise of "Rolling Stock"; the melody of "I am me, and that's all I need" matching "Don't stop now, you gotta keep it going...". It has been speculated that this number was planned to be a replacement for the original Rolling Stock (reprise), as the context of the lyrics fits the coaches encouraging Dinah to find her independence, but does not introduce the characters as such.
The 2024 Wembley production saw the addition of music and lyrics from "Whistle Down the Wind", specifically the break from "Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts" - "I was born going faster than the limits allow", an archetypal Jim Steinman lyric, becomes "I was made to go faster than the limits allow" for this song.
Music[]
The lyrics were written by Lauren Aquilina and Jim Steinman[1], making it one of three songs in the current Starlight Express score not written by the partnership of Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Richard Stilgoe (lyrics). The others being "I Do", which was written by Lloyd Webber's son Alisitair (music) and Nick Coler (lyrics); and "Hydrogen" with a lyric credit to Joe Stilgoe.
2023 Release[]
For more details see 2023 "I Am Me" Cast Recording.
Following the release of "I Am Me", the song was tweaked to change and replace some verses for the 2024 London show.
Workshop 2017 & Wembley 2024[]
| COACHES: | I got me |
| And that's all I need | |
| Don't say no, | |
| It's my show | |
| I'm made of sugar and spice, | |
| But I don't always play nice | |
| You wanna tell me the rules? | |
| Already broken them twice | |
| I got these pretty eyes | |
| And they are on the prize | |
| Cos first place calls! | |
| I can think just as quick, | |
| I can run just as long | |
| And I'm made of different metal, | |
| But I'm just as strong | |
| I got a pretty face, | |
| But it's an ugly race | |
| And I'm ready to roll | |
| I got me | |
| And that's all I need | |
| Don't say 'no', | |
| It's my show | |
| I got me | |
| And that's all I need | |
| I'm number one, | |
| The champion | |
| Gone are the days | |
| When we were second best | |
| Cos we don't settle for the back seat, | |
| We'll undo the rest | |
| Yeah we're right on track, | |
| Ready to attack | |
| Breaking down these walls | |
| We're a force of nature | |
| And we're right on time | |
| Yeah we're gonna mix the game up | |
| While we're in our prime | |
| The lights may be red, | |
| Danger up ahead | |
| And we're ready to roll! | |
| I got me | |
| And that's all I need! | |
| Watch me go, | |
| I'll take him on | |
| I got me, | |
| And that's all I need | |
| I see it now, | |
| My winner's bow | |
| PEARL: | You think that I'm incapable |
| Of all the things you can do, | |
| But no | |
| And you think you're unstoppable | |
| But without me that's | |
| Not true | |
| Cos honey, I'm unstoppable | |
| And I won't race behind you! | |
| COACHES: | I got me, |
| And that's all I need | |
| Don't say 'no', | |
| It's my show | |
| I got me, | |
| And that's all I need | |
| I'm number one, | |
| A champion | |
| I got me, | |
| And that's all I need | |
| Watch me go, | |
| I'll take it all | |
| Yeah I got me, | |
| And that's all I need | |
| I see it now, | |
| My winner's bow |
| BELLE: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Won't get down, | ||
| TASSITA: | It's my crown. | |
| BELLE: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| I'm number one, | ||
| A champion. | ||
| So they've got words like knives | ||
| Then they ain't playing nice. | ||
| They think they run the show | ||
| But we say otherwise. | ||
| Don't let them in your head, | ||
| It's full steam ahead. | ||
| No one in your way. | ||
| You've got to run your race | ||
| And there's no looking back | ||
| Within in this wicked game | ||
| You've got to stay on track. | ||
| They say you'll never win, | ||
| But don't let them in. | ||
| Just let them hear you say: | ||
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need | ||
| Won't get down, | ||
| It's my crown. | ||
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| I'm number one, | ||
| A champion. | ||
| Gotta fire up our wheels, | ||
| Keep our spirits high. | ||
| Gotta leave all that | ||
| Emotional cargo behind. | ||
| We can make them see, | ||
| If we just believe. | ||
| BELLE: | We‘re breaking down these walls. | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! | |
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Standing tall | ||
| Won't see us fall | ||
| No big deal | ||
| 'Cause we're made of steel. | ||
| See it now, | ||
| Our winner's bow. | ||
| PEARL: | Time that I made a move now | |
| Start me up, the race is on! | ||
| They'll see first place | ||
| Is where I belong! | ||
| I want the crown | ||
| And I want it now! | ||
| I was made to go faster | ||
| Than the limits allow! | ||
| TASSITA, BELLE, DINAH & PEARL: | We want the crown | |
| And we want it now! | ||
| We're made to go faster | ||
| Than the limits allow! | ||
| Faster than the limits allow! | ||
| PEARL: | Right here, right now! | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need | ||
| PEARL: | That's all I need | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | Standing tall | |
| PEARL: | Standing tall | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | Won't see us fall | |
| PEARL: | No, no, no! | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | No big deal, | |
| 'Cause we're made of steel | ||
| PEARL: | We're made of steel! | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | See it now | |
| PEARL: | See it now! | |
| TASSITA, BELLE & DINAH: | Our winners bow! | |
| PEARL
(DINAH, BELLE & CARRIE): |
You've got to run your race | (I am me) |
| And there's no looking back | ||
| 'Cause in this wicked game, | (I am me) | |
| You've got to stay on track. | ||
| They say you'll never win | (I am me) | |
| But don't let them in. | (I am me) | |
| Just let them hear you say: | (I am me, I am me) | |
| COACHES: | I am me, | |
| I am me, | ||
| I am me, | ||
| I am me, | ||
| I am me. | ||
Bochum, Germany 2018 Onwards[]
| DINAH: | Ich bin ich! | I am me! |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more. | |
| Seht euch an, | Check out | |
| Was ich kann. | What I can do | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more | |
| Denn ich bin | Cause I am | |
| 'ne Siegerin! | A winner! | |
| Sie spielen sich hier auf, | They show off here, | |
| Glauben, sie haben's drauf. | Think they got what it takes | |
| Woll'n die Bestimmer sein, | Want to be the rulers | |
| Aber das hört jetzt auf. | But that stops now. | |
| Ich hör da nicht mehr hin, | I don’t listen to that anymore, | |
| Mach mein eig'nes Ding, | I do my own thing | |
| Geht mir aus der Bahn! | Clear my tracks! | |
| Wenn man gewinnen will, | If you want to win | |
| Darf man nicht hinten steh'n, | You can’t stand in the back | |
| Sondern muss nur mutig in | You have to bravely go | |
| Die Offensive gehen. | On the offensive | |
| Ständig erzähl'n sie mir, | They keep telling me | |
| Dass ich nur verlier', | That I only lose | |
| Doch ich mach' ihnen klar: | But I make it clear to them: | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more. | |
| Seht euch an, | Check out, | |
| Was ich kann. | What I can do. | |
| DINAH, BELLE,
CARRIE: |
Ich bin ich! | I am me! |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht, | And I don’t need more, | |
| Denn ich bin | Cause I am | |
| 'ne Siegerin! | A winner | |
| Wir haben | We got | |
| Selber die Kraft | The strength | |
| Und die Schnelligkeit. | And the speed ourselves. | |
| Wenn wir an uns selber glauben, | If we believe in ourselves | |
| Dann kommen wir weit. | We will get far | |
| Und in unserm Lauf | And nobody stops us | |
| Hält uns keiner auf, | In our run | |
| Denn wir sind unschlagbar! | Cause we are unbeatable! | |
| Wir sind alle gleich. | We are all equal | |
| Uns mach keiner klein. | Nobody can drag us down | |
| Und wir woll'n nicht länger | And we don’t want to be | |
| Zweite Klasse sein! | Second class any longer! | |
| Wir hängen nicht nur an | We are not just hooking | |
| Irgend'm Typen dran, | On some guy | |
| Denn wir sind voll in Fahrt! | Because we hit our stride! | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more. | |
| Ich kann allein | I on my own | |
| Die Größte sein! | Can be the greatest! | |
| Merkt's euch mal. | Get it into your heads | |
| Denn wir sind aus Stahl. | Cause we’re made of steel | |
| Die Gleise frei! | Clear the tracks | |
| Lasst uns vorbei! | Let us pass | |
| PEARL: | Auch ich will zeigen, was ich kann | I too want to show what I can do |
| Und rennen auf den Gleisen. | And run on the tracks | |
| Ich fange heute damit an, | Today I‘m starting | |
| Es allen zu beweisen. | To prove it to everyone. | |
| So schnell kommt keiner an mich ran. | Nobody can get to me that quickly | |
| Ich bin aus hartem Eisen. | I‘m made of strong iron | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more | |
| Seht euch an, | Check out | |
| Was ich kann. | What I can do | |
| Dampf und Sprit | Steam and gasoline | |
| Sind auch nicht der Hit. | Aren’t a hit either | |
| PEARL & DINAH: | Ich hab die Kraft, | I got the strength |
| Die alles schafft. | That can achieve anything | |
| COACHES: | Ich bin ich! | I am me! |
| Und mehr brauch ich nicht. | And I don’t need more | |
| Ich kann allein | I on my own | |
| Die Größte sein! | Can be the greatest | |
| Merkt’s euch mal, | Get it into your heads | |
| Denn wir sind aus Stahl. | Cause we’re made of steel | |
| Die Gleise frei! | Clear the tracks | |
| Lasst uns vorbei! | Let us pass | |
| PEARL: | Wenn man gewinnen will, | If you want to win |
| Darf man nicht hinten steh'n. | You can’t stand in the back | |
| Sondern muss mutig in | You have to bravely go | |
| Die Offensive gehen. | On the offensive | |
| Ständig erzähl'n sie mir, | They keep telling me | |
| Dass ich nur verlier', | That I only lose | |
| Doch ich mach ihnen klar: | But I make it clear to them: | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| Ich bin ich! | I am me! | |
| DINAH: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Won't get down, | ||
| It's my crown. | ||
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need. | ||
| I'm number one, | ||
| A champion. | ||
| So they've got words like knives | ||
| Then they ain't playing nice. | ||
| They think they run the show | ||
| But we say otherwise. | ||
| Don't let them in your head, | ||
| It's full steam ahead. | ||
| No one in your way. | ||
| You've got to run your race | ||
| And there's no looking back | ||
| 'Cause in this wicked game | ||
| You've got to stay on track. | ||
| They say you'll never win, | ||
| But don't let them in. | ||
| Just let them hear you say: | ||
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need | ||
| Won't get down, | ||
| It's my crown. | ||
| DINAH, BELLE & CARRIE: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| I'm number one, | ||
| A champion. | ||
| Gotta fire up our wheels, | ||
| Keep our spirits high. | ||
| Gotta leave all that | ||
| Emotional cargo behind. | ||
| We can make them see, | ||
| If we just believe. | ||
| We‘re breaking down these walls. | ||
| We're all made the same, | ||
| As good as the rest. | ||
| And we call time's up | ||
| On being second best | ||
| Not just a pretty face, | ||
| Now we deserve our place. | ||
| And we're ready to roll. | ||
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Standing tall | ||
| Won't see us fall | ||
| No big deal | ||
| 'Cause we're made of steel. | ||
| See it now, | ||
| Our winner's bow. | ||
| PEARL: | I think, I better make a move. | |
| My lights've been red for too long. | ||
| I know in time I've gotta prove, | ||
| This race is where I belong. | ||
| And no, I'm never gonna lose, | ||
| I'm built of something so strong: | ||
| I am me, | ||
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Don't say no, | ||
| It's my show. | ||
| DINAH & PEARL: | I need dreams, | |
| Not diesel or steam. | ||
| I'm number one, | ||
| A champion. | ||
| COACHES: | I am me, | |
| And that's all I need. | ||
| Standing tall | ||
| Won't see us fall | ||
| No big deal | ||
| 'Cause we're made of steel. | ||
| See it now, | ||
| Our winner's bow. | ||
| PEARL
(DINAH, BELLE & CARRIE): |
You've got to run your race | (I am me) |
| And there's no looking back | ||
| 'Cause in this wicked game, | (I am me) | |
| You've got to stay on track. | ||
| They say you'll never win | (I am me) | |
| But don't let them in. | (I am me) | |
| Just let them hear you say: | (I am me, I am me) | |
| COACHES: | I am me, | |
| I am me, | ||
| I am me, | ||
| I am me, | ||
| I am me. | ||
