I've Gotta Be Me

“I’VE GOTTA BE ME” has been kind of a societal icon since it was first sung by Steve Lawrence in the Broadway musical “GOLDEN RAINBOW”.

SAMMY DAVIS’ recording of the song brought it to cultural prominence in the late ‘60’s. It evolved from a power ballad into a Black Power anthem, which in turn became the theme song of Sammy’s life. “I’VE GOTTA BE ME” was the title of his ‘60’s album and then the title of the film documentary on his life. In the ‘70’s it became a theme song for the so-called “Me Generation.” In the ‘80’s it became part of the LGBTQ fight against the AIDS epidemic.

Important vocal artists through the years have covered it. The list includes:ELLA FITZGERALD, TONY CLIFTON, MICHAEL JACKSON, DELLA REESE, STEVIE WONDER, TONY BENNETT,  JOHNNY HARTMAN, PALOMA FAITH, THE SHERLOCKS, CORY MONTEITH as his Glee character Finn Hudson,^[  PAUL ANKA, BILLY PORTER, and THE TEMPTATIONS.

It has been synched in many movies, including “THE DEER HUNTER” “MAN IN THE MOON” and others.The song’s universal message has found its way into many television commercials:

“SKODA AUTOMOBILES” (UK). The ad agency had five well known British artists record the song in their own styles, then combined them in on tv commercial.

Most recent other commercials include:

• “DOLLAR SHAVE” — STEVE LAWRENCE
• “DIET COKE” (UK) — DUFFY (riding a bike)
• “DR. PEPPER” — RYAN TEDDER
• “SKY Q” — SAMMY DAVIS
• “CADBURY” — FLYING OSTRICH
• “WESTWORLD” — TRAILER

This over-fifty-year-old song seems to connect with people in different ways as time passes. It’s likely to continue its unusual life for years to come.

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