What I Am (Zayn song)
| "What I Am" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Zayn | ||||
| from the album Room Under the Stairs | ||||
| Released | 15 March 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:31 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Zayn Malik | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Zayn singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Lyric video | ||||
| "What I Am" on YouTube | ||||
"What I Am" is a song by English singer-songwriter Zayn. It was released on 15 March 2024 through Mercury and Republic Records as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs. Zayn wrote the song by himself and produced it alongside American record producer Dave Cobb.
Composition
[edit]"What I Am" is a song that sees Zayn venture into the adult contemporary genre, which includes a stripped-back instrumental, while it sees him depart from the sound of his previous music.[3] Lyrically, he gets candid as he speaks about accepting himself for the way he is and requests the same acceptance from others while also describing a toxic relationship.[4] On the chorus, he sings: "Don't take me for what I'm sayin' / Just take me for what I am / 'Cause this is where I'm stayin' / My two feet are in the sand".[5]
Promotion
[edit]Through a handwritten note that he posted on social media the day of its release, he said that "this song is the first release of a special project I've been working on for years".[6] Eight days before the release of the song, Zayn announced it along with its release date and a short snippet of it before briefly appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon six days after that to share another snippet.[7]
Chart performance
[edit]"What I Am" debuted at number 89 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming his second-lowest charting single in the country as a solo artist since "Entertainer", which peaked at number 95.[8] The song also peaked at number one on the UK Asian Music chart.[9] The song reached number six on the New Zealand Hot Singles chart.[10]
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tiparade)[11] | 29 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] | 6 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[12] | 89 |
| UK Asian Music (OCC)[9] | 1 |
| UK British Asian Chart (OCC)[13] | 3 |
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 15 March 2024 | [14] | ||
| Italy | Radio airplay | Universal | [15] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Zayn's What I Am Embraces Country Twang Lyrical Vulnerability". Neon Music. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Gragg, Michael (17 May 2024). "Zayn: Room Under the Stairs review – Nashville-produced minimalism suits him". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ Hussain, Shahzaib (15 March 2024). "ZAYN Announces New Album 'Room Under The Stairs'". Clash. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Kedem, Maia (15 March 2024). "Zayn shares his first glimpse at new album with emotional single 'What I Am'". Audacy. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Zemler, Emily (15 March 2024). "Hear Zayn Hold His Own on Emotional New Single 'What I Am'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Miller, Nola (15 March 2024). "Zayn Malik releases 'What I Am' with a special note". The News International. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (14 March 2024). "Zayn Makes Surprise Appearance on 'Tonight Show' to Tease 'What I Am' Single". Billboard. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Hugh McIntyre (29 March 2024). "Zayn's New Single Starts With A Disappointing Response". Forbes. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Official Asian Music Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
- ^ a b "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 25 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Tiparade Week 12". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ "Official British Asian Chart". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Reynolds, Abbie (15 March 2024). "Lyrics to Zayn's new song 'What I Am' explained". Capital. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Mancabelli, Alice (15 March 2024). "ZAYN - What I Am (Radio Date: 15-03-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved 18 March 2024.