Followers

Friday 11 March 2016

I gotta be me...

...is a fabulous song.


The Sammy Davis Jnr vocal is currently being used as the soundtrack to a TV advert but if you pop over to YouTube you can find a number of recordings by Mr Davis which allows you to enjoy the song in its entirety.


I grew up in a household where the "Rat pack" swing music - Sinatra, Martin, Davis - was played on a regular basis and I love it. However, I don't think I really understood the implications of this song until hearing it again recently...


Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I gotta be me



This was a song sung by a man who despite being a 'headliner' in Las Vegas was not allowed to enter through the front door because of his colour...was not allowed to stay in many of the hotels where he headlined because of colour segregation...was subjected to a lot of media harassment because he married a white woman...but despite all of this he pursued the career that he wanted and became a worldwide household name because of his talent.


Many things have changed in the world since this was recorded but I still think these are very powerful words and can be applied to all of us......................................

3 comments:

Sandra said...

I too was bought up in a house where the rat pack was played again and again and you're right the words are so powerful

Stef H said...

sammy davis jr, tho short in stature, was a super star. his singing was one of the best. he was part of the old "rat pack" with frank sinatra, joey bishop, dean martin and i think, peter lawford.

the eye appointment turned out well. i did get a glasses (no more cheaters) and they were able to keep it very affordable. praise the LORD. tho they did tell me i have the start of a cataract in my left eye. such is life.

have a fabulous weekend!

hugs :)

The Scrapbook Lady UK said...

Very thought provoking, thankyou. I am trying to be a better blogger and visitor ;) jx