I’VE GOTTA BE ME
(Walter Marks)

Recorded by:
Paul Anka; Brook Benton; Sammy Davis Jr; Bill Deal;
Debbie Duncan; Ella Fitzgerald; Bert Kaempfert;
Steve Lawrence; Al Martino; Tony Mottola; Jim Nabors;
Peter Nero; Iggy Pop; Irene Reid; Bobby Watson.


Whether I’m right, whether I’m wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am?

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won’t give up this dream of life
That keeps me alive
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That faraway prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won’t settle down or settle for less
As long as there’s half a chance that I can have it all

I’ll go it alone, that’s how it must be
I can’t be right for somebody else if I’m not right for me
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
Daring to try to do it or die, I’ve gotta be me

I can’t be right for somebody else if I’m not right for me
I’ve gotta be me, I’ve gotta be me
Daring to try to do it or die,
I’ve gotta be me