The Way I Am (Charlie Puth song) explained

The Way I Am
Cover:Charlie Puth The Way I Am.png
Type:single
Artist:Charlie Puth
Album:Voicenotes
Genre:Pop
Label:Atlantic
Producer:Charlie Puth
Prev Title:Change
Prev Year:2018
Next Title:Easier (Remix)
Next Year:2019

"The Way I Am" is a song recorded and produced by American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth. It was sent to US contemporary hit radio through Atlantic Records on July 24, 2018, as the fifth and final single from his second studio album, Voicenotes. It was initially released as the second promotional single from the album on May 3, 2018. Puth wrote the song alongside Jacob Kasher Hindlin.

Background

The song deals with Puth's reaction to his sudden fame, specifically his insecurities and anxieties. He has identified the song as his most personal on the album. The content of the song was so personal in fact that Puth "was almost crying while writing it because it was so overwhelming."[1]

In an interview with Genius, Puth explained the meaning behind the song, saying: "I was known for who I was dating more than my music. People were forgetting that I was actually a singer. And that was not good and multiple people told me that wasn't good. I worked too hard to have that reputation. So I just like a slight steer to the left and brought it back to the music. I honestly feel better mentally than I ever have in my life."[2]

Composition

"The Way I Am" is an upbeat pop song in which Puth addresses his self-acceptance.[3] [4] Described as an "introspective, autobiographical track", it heavily features "a plugging electric guitar riff" throughout, with "Puth's vocals syncing up to the instrumental during the verses".[5]

Music video

Directed by Colin Tilley, the music video was released on July 9, 2018.[6] It features Puth wandering from one room to another, interspersed between flashbacks of a house party that took place the night before and shots of him sitting alone on the roof of the house, as partygoers drink and dance past him in fast-motion.[7] Throughout the video, he locks eyes with a brunette woman (acted by Trew Mullen);[8] they come face to face and exchange smirks as the party comes to an end.[9] Salvatore Maicki of The Fader regarded the video as "a nice aesthetic throwback to the late 90s",[3] while PopSugar's Mekishana Pierre opined that Puth's character bears a resemblance to My So-Called Lifes Jordan Catalano.[10]

Live performances

On June 22, 2018, Puth made the first televised performance of "The Way I Am" at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards.[11] [12] On July 17, he performed the song during his television appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as the Citi Concert Series on Today three days later.[13] [14]

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

PersonnelCredits adapted from the liner notes of Voicenotes.[15]

Charts

Year-end charts

Release history

RegionDateFormatVersionLabel
VariousMay 3, 2018Digital downloadOriginalAtlantic
United StatesJuly 24, 2018Contemporary hit radio[18]
VariousJuly 27, 2018Digital downloadEden Prince Remix[19]
August 17, 2018Taska Black Remix[20]
September 7, 2018Acoustic[21]
Slushii Remix[22]
ItalySeptember 14, 2018Contemporary hit radioOriginalWarner[23]

Notes and References

  1. Charlie Puth on fame, Boyz II Men, and his new album Voicenotes . Entertainment Weekly . 1 November 2019.
  2. News: Furdyk. Brent. Charlie Puth Drops New Music Video For 'The Way I Am'. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710164748/https://etcanada.com/news/345834/charlie-puth-drops-new-music-video-for-the-way-i-am/. dead. July 10, 2018. July 10, 2018. Entertainment Tonight Canada. July 9, 2018.
  3. News: Maicki. Salvatore. Charlie Puth shares video for "The Way I Am". July 10, 2018. The Fader. July 9, 2018.
  4. Billboard Radio China. Charlie Puth Will Bring 'Voicenotes Tour' to Asia in Fall: See Dates. July 10, 2018. Billboard. June 17, 2018.
  5. Jones. Abby. Charlie Puth Finds Confidence With New Single 'The Way I Am': Listen. July 10, 2018. Billboard. May 3, 2018.
  6. News: Miller. Jordan. Charlie Puth's Best 'Voicenotes' Track "The Way I Am" Has A Music Video. July 10, 2018. Breathe Heavy. July 10, 2018. April 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200412103333/https://www.breatheheavy.com/charlie-puths-best-voicenotes-track-the-way-i-am-has-a-music-video/. dead.
  7. Reed. Ryan. Charlie Puth Looks Miserable at House Party in 'The Way I Am' Video. July 10, 2018. Rolling Stone. July 9, 2018. August 19, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220819185225/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/charlie-puth-looks-miserable-at-house-party-in-the-way-i-am-video-697441/. dead.
  8. Web site: IMDB . Charlie Puth: The Way I Am (2018 Music Video) . July 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220314092333/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8992886/fullcredits . March 14, 2022.
  9. Weatherby. Taylor. Charlie Puth Finds a Love Interest Amid House Party Madness in 'The Way I Am' Video: Watch. July 10, 2018. Billboard. July 9, 2018.
  10. News: Pierre. Mekishana. Charlie Puth Does His Best Jordan Catalano Impression in "The Way I Am" Music Video. July 10, 2018. PopSugar. July 9, 2018.
  11. News: Salazar. Alejandra. Do Blondes Have More Fun? Ask Charlie Puth. July 10, 2018. Refinery29. June 25, 2018.
  12. News: Gould. Wendy. You Will Not Recognise Charlie Puth With His New Platinum Hair. July 10, 2018. PopSugar. June 26, 2018.
  13. News: Team Artistdirect. Charlie Puth Unveils "The Way I Am" Music Video. July 10, 2018. Artistdirect. July 9, 2018. October 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221015101022/https://www.artistdirect.com/charlie-puth/news/charlie-puth-unveils-the-way-i-am-music-video/115692. dead.
  14. News: BrandRoom. WATCH: Charlie Puth unveils 'The Way I am' Music Video. July 10, 2018. Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 10, 2018.
  15. Voicenotes. Charlie Puth. 2018. Atlantic Records.
  16. Dance Songs Chart: November 10, 2018. Billboard. November 6, 2018.
  17. Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018. Billboard. September 4, 2019.
  18. Web site: Top 40/M Future Releases. All Access Media Group. July 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225115/https://www.allaccess.com/top40-mainstream/future-releases. July 10, 2018.
  19. Web site: The Way I Am (Eden Prince Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). July 27, 2018.
  20. Web site: The Way I Am (Taska Black Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). August 17, 2018.
  21. Web site: The Way I Am (Acoustic) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). September 7, 2018.
  22. Web site: The Way I Am (Slushii Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music. iTunes Store (US). September 7, 2018.
  23. Web site: CHARLIE PUTH "The Way I Am" - (Radio Date: 14/09/2018). radiodate.it.

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