Lyric discussion by Turboshear 

Cover art for What I Am lyrics by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians

She's making light of philosophy and religion in this song. She thinks they demonstrate a pretense of depth, but in reality offer nothing of value to her. Thus, she expresses her contempt for them by trivializing them with metaphors of silly nonsense (philosophy is as insignificant as cereal box text; religion is as meaningless as a smile on a dog). She'd rather be choked than wade into the so-called deep waters of philosophy and religion.

She continues to poke at philosophy, which is deeply concerned with the question of being, by utilizing two tautologies ("I know what I know" and "Are you what you are?"). She also plays on the philosophical theme of being with her title "What I am."

In essence, she's saying "I am what I am" and that's as far as I want to go with all of this philisophical nonsense. She is taking an anti-philosophy and anti-religious stand in this song, poking fun at both, being content with her comparative shallowness.

@Turboshear thank you so much for explaining this song so eloquently. you win.

@Turboshear For years, I thought the line was, "Religion is a lie in the fog." Was disappointed in the true lyric.

@Turboshear Thank you ever so much for this explanation! This song came out back when I was getting so wrapped up in my spiritual studies. And this went past me. Although I loved the song but let it go right on by...........lol......... Now years later still into my studies always trying to figure out life and our purpose. This song has hit me big time. Can't get it out of my mind. Keep singing it over and over in my head. Day and night........... So just checked into the meaning of her words. And love it ever so much. Just had a...