Compare and contrast the two songs using the words and phrases in the box to the right hand side.
Both songs are alike, in that they both promote a strong message of self-reliance, individuality and standing up for what you believe in. They both use techniques such as repetition and metaphors to convey their message, and have simple repeating mottos (“I am beautiful”,”I am what I am”). As well as this, they are both confidence building songs made to help people feel good about themselves and who they are. In this way, they are very similar.
However, even though they both promote the same message, “Beautiful” starts on a negative note and ends on a positive one, showing progression and making it more of a story, while “I am what I am” is positive throughout and is a more ‘literal’ song. This may be because they were written in different periods, when there were different styles of music.
“This song is definitely a universal message that everybody can relate to – anyone that’s been discriminated against or unaccepted, unappreciated or disrespected just because of who you are.”
– Christina Aguilera
Leo T 