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| "The Way I Am" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single byIngrid Michaelson | ||||
| from the albumGirls and Boys | ||||
| Released | September 18, 2007(U.S.) | |||
| Recorded | 2006 | |||
| Genre | Indie folk | |||
| Length | 2:15 | |||
| Label | Cabin 24 | |||
| Songwriter | Ingrid Michaelson | |||
| Producer | Ingrid Michaelson | |||
| Ingrid Michaelson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "The Way I Am" onYouTube | ||||
"The Way I Am" is a song written byIngrid Michaelson on her 2006 albumGirls and Boys. It is one of herplatinum hits.
The song's music video was directed byAutumn de Wilde. It depicts Michaelson dancing with a man (played byGreg Laswell,[1] whom Michaelson would later marry) in a gymnasium where everyone present, except for Michaelson, is aclown ormime. Other dancers glare at Michaelson and she runs from the dance to a bathroom, where she uses lipstick to give her reflection the appearance of a clown nose, and then labels herself a "freak." Her dance partner, a clown, has followed her and embraces her when she emerges from the bathroom. They share a kiss and leave together.[2]
The song debuted on theBillboard Hot 100 at #80 on October 4, 2007, and peaked at #37. The single benefited from the exposure through its use in a national television ad campaign for Old Navy sweaters.[3] On the Canadian Hot 100, "The Way I Am" peaked at #51. It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and has sold 1.6 million copies in the United States.[4][5]
Charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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On September 21, 2007, Michaelson made her network television debut performing the song onLast Call with Carson Daly.
American Idol Season 9 finalistDidi Benami performed a cover of the song on the Top 12 female performances on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
In 2013,Caroline Pennell sang the song on thefifth season ofThe Voice in the knockout rounds, winning widespread fame, and was deemed the front runner of the show with her performance.
The song is frequently used to demonstrateBose Corporation products due to its deep bass and crisp vocals.