1
Don't
Tell me what's in
Tell me how to write
Don't tell me how to win this
Fight.
Isn't your life
It isn't your right
To take the only thing that's
Mine.
Proven over time
It's over your head
Don't try to read between
The Lines
Are clearly defined
Never lose sight of something
You believe in.
Takin' in the view from the outside
Feelin' like the underdog.
Watchin' through the window I'm on the outside
Living like the underdog.
I've been trying
To justify you.
In the end I will
Just defy you.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
As I am.
Still
Running uphill.
Swimming against the current
I wish I weren't so
Fucked.
Feels like I'm stuck,
Lost in a sea of mediocrity.
Slow down,
You're thinking too much,
Where is your soul
You cannot touch the way
I play,
Or tell me what to say.
You're in the way
Of all that I believe in.
Takin' in the view from the outside
Feelin' like the underdog.
Watchin' through the window I'm on the outside
Living like the underdog.
I've been wasting my breath
On you.
Open mind will descend
Upon You.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
As I am.
Yeah!
As I am.
Tell me what's in
Tell me how to write
Don't tell me how to win this
Fight.
Isn't your life
It isn't your right
To take the only thing that's
Mine.
Proven over time
It's over your head
Don't try to read between
The Lines
Are clearly defined
Never lose sight of something
You believe in.
Takin' in the view from the outside
Feelin' like the underdog.
Watchin' through the window I'm on the outside
Living like the underdog.
I've been trying
To justify you.
In the end I will
Just defy you.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
As I am.
Still
Running uphill.
Swimming against the current
I wish I weren't so
Fucked.
Feels like I'm stuck,
Lost in a sea of mediocrity.
Slow down,
You're thinking too much,
Where is your soul
You cannot touch the way
I play,
Or tell me what to say.
You're in the way
Of all that I believe in.
Takin' in the view from the outside
Feelin' like the underdog.
Watchin' through the window I'm on the outside
Living like the underdog.
I've been wasting my breath
On you.
Open mind will descend
Upon You.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
To those who understand,
I extend my hand.
To the doubtful I demand
Take me as I am.
Not under your command,
I know where I stand.
I won't change to fit your plan.
Take me as I am.
As I am.
Yeah!
As I am.
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64
As I Am Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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First off, I didn't read every single post so this may have already been said but, John Petrucci wrote these lyrics, not Mike Portnoy.
Secondly, the lyrics in this album were of a much deeper meaning and this song was meant to sound like Metallica in terms of heavy and ridiculous shred. The song was created in John's head (according to his interviews) based on some awkward incident between him and the Queensryche guitarist after they toured together and covered pink floyd comfortably numb. He critiqued john's playing as too fast and emotionless (as many people do... though I totally feel emotion from a lot of his shred).
The song evolved from a personal comeback to an attack on people in general who cannot handle that which this band has created. Not to the critics but to the antagonistic people who completely disbar this group as musicians simply because they disagree with the style or technique or what have you.
That is my version of what JP said in his interviews. Though he never cited that incident, I do recall him mentioning some... "interesting moments" which are implied to be that situation which has been mentioned in the past.
Damn I type a LOT