I Want to Be Myself

“Love yourself, be yourself. Be happy every time you see someone.”

Storyteller: Child in foster care, 9, Children’s Aid and Family Services of NJ

Favorite music: Pop

Favorite artist/song: Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”

What would you like your song to be about? Being myself

Pick a theme: Being happy

Do you have a title in mind? “I Want to Be Myself”

Any certain words or phrases to include? Love yourself, be yourself. Be happy every time you see someone.

Songwriter: William Ueng, student at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Song Lyrics

Used to run and hide
Too afraid to speak my mind
Always thought I was shy
Didn’t think that I could fly

But I hear a small voice whispering
Whispering to me

You’ve got to love yourself
You’ve got to be yourself
Be loud be proud
You’ve got that champion’s belt

Look around and you will see
All the joys of being free
So I’ve got to be
Because we’ve all got hearts of gold

I’ve got the whole wide world listening
Listening to me

You’ve got to love yourself
You’ve got to be yourself
Be loud be proud
You’ve got that champion’s belt

I stand here with no fear
Listen when I say

You’ve got to love yourself
You’ve got to be yourself
Be loud be proud
You’ve got the champion’s belt.