32 “I Am” Songs to Showcase Your Personality

Usually one of the first few numbers in a show, the “I Am” song helps establish a character’s personality or role in the plot. “I Am” songs are usually sung by the protagonist, but sometimes they are sung by supporting character, and sometimes they’re even sung by the antagonist. Here’s a list of our favorites!


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“I Am” Songs for Altos

A Cockeyed Optimist” – South Pacific

Backwoods Barbie” – 9 to 5

I Love Play Rehearsal” – Be More Chill

I’m the Greatest Star” – Funny Girl


“I Am” Songs for Baritones

I Am Aldolpho” – The Drowsy Chaperone

I Am Free” – Zorba

I’m Not That Smart” – The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Mister Cellophane” – Chicago


“I Am” Songs for Basses/Bass-Baritones

Dentist!” – Little Shop of Horrors

I Am What I Am” – La Cage aux Folles

Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat” – A New Brain

The Prince of Humbug” – Barnum


“I Am” Songs for Contras

I’m Still Here” – Follies

Millwork” – Working

Playing Nancy” – Groundhog Day

Some People” – Gypsy


Psst… Here’s where you can find out your vocal type!


“I Am” Songs for Mezzo-Sopranos

A Part of That” – The Last Five Years

Shy” – Once Upon a Mattress

Some People” – Gypsy

The Oldest Orphan” – Daddy Long Legs


“I Am” Songs for Sopranos

How Lovely to Be a Woman” – Bye Bye Birdie

Mira” – Carnival!

Morning Person” – Shrek

No One Knows Who I Am” – Jekyll & Hyde


“I Am” Songs for Tenors

Friend Like Me” – Aladdin

Hard to be the Bard” – Something Rotten!

I Believe” – The Book of Mormon

My Petersburg” – Anastasia


“I Am” Songs for Trebles/Children

Born to Entertain” – Ruthless!

Good Girl Winnie Foster” – Tuck Everlasting

Naughty” – Matilda

Neat to Be a Newsboy” – Working


Want more songs? Check out these DIY Rep Books for EVERY vocal type!

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Do you know of any other great “I Am” songs?

And which of the above “I Am” songs are you going to work on? We would love to hear all about it in the comments below!


Stacy Karyn, author of I Am Songs.
Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She has a TESOL drama certificate, a BA in theatre, and has worked and interned with Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.


 

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