The Way I Am (Charlie Puth song)

"The Way I Am" is a song by American singer Charlie Puth from his second studio album Voicenotes (2018). It was written and produced by Puth, with additional writing from Jacob Kasher. The song was initially released by Atlantic Records as the second promotional single on May 3, 2018, and was sent to US contemporary hit radio on July 24 as the fifth single from the album.

"The Way I Am"
Single by Charlie Puth
from the album Voicenotes
ReleasedJuly 24, 2018 (2018-07-24)
GenrePop
Length3:06
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Charlie Puth
Charlie Puth singles chronology
"Change"
(2018)		 "The Way I Am"
(2018)		 "Easier (Remix)"
(2019)
Music video
"The Way I Am" on YouTube

Background

The song deals with Puth's reaction to his sudden fame, specifically his insecurities and anxieties. He has identified the song as his most personal on the album. The content of the song was so personal in fact that Puth "was almost crying while writing it because it was so overwhelming." [1]

In an interview with Genius, Puth explained the meaning behind the song, saying: "I was known for who I was dating more than my music. People were forgetting that I was actually a singer. And that was not good and multiple people told me that wasn't good. I worked too hard to have that reputation. So I just like a slight steer to the left and brought it back to the music. I honestly feel better mentally than I ever have in my life."[2]

Composition

"The Way I Am" is an upbeat pop song in which Puth addresses on his self-acceptance.[3][4] Described as an "introspective, autobiographical track", it heavily features "a plugging electric guitar riff" throughout, with "Puth's vocals syncing up to the instrumental during the verses".[5]

Music video

Directed by Colin Tilley, the music video was released on July 9, 2018.[6] It features Puth wandering from one room to another, interspersed between flashbacks of a house party that took place the night before and shots of him sitting alone on the roof of the house, as partygoers drink and dance past him in fast-motion.[7] Throughout the video, he locks eyes with a brunette woman; they come face to face and exchange smirks as the party comes to an end.[8] Salvatore Maicki of The Fader regarded the video as "a nice aesthetic throwback to the late 90s",[3] while PopSugar's Mekishana Pierre opined that Puth's character bears a resemblance to My So-Called Life's Jordan Catalano.[9]

Live performances

On June 22, 2018, Puth made the first televised performance of "The Way I Am" at the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards.[10][11] On July 17, he performed the song during his television appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as the Citi Concert Series on Today three days later.[12][13]

Track listing
Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."The Way I Am"3:06
Digital download[14]
No.TitleLength
1."The Way I Am" (Acoustic Version)3:08
Digital download[15]
No.TitleLength
1."The Way I Am" (Eden Prince Remix)3:12
Digital download[16]
No.TitleLength
1."The Way I Am" (Slushii Remix)3:45
Digital download[17]
No.TitleLength
1."The Way I Am" (Taska Black Remix)3:15

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

  • Published by Charlie Puth Music Publishing/Artist 101 Publishing Group (BMI) admin. by Warner Chappell; Rap Kingpin Music/Prescription Songs (ASCAP)

Personnel

  • Charlie Puth – composition, production, recording
  • Jacob Kasher – composition
  • Jan Ozveren – guitar

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Voicenotes.[18]

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[32] Gold 500,000

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Version Label Ref.
Various[lower-alpha 1] May 3, 2018 Digital download Original Atlantic [5]
United States July 24, 2018 Contemporary hit radio [33]
Various July 27, 2018 Digital download Eden Prince Remix [15]
August 17, 2018 Taska Black Remix [17]
September 7, 2018 Acoustic [14]
Slushii Remix [16]
Italy September 14, 2018 Contemporary hit radio Original Warner [34]

Notes
  1. Release as a promotional single.
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References
  1. "Charlie Puth on fame, Boyz II Men, and his new album Voicenotes". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. Furdyk, Brent (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth Drops New Music Video For 'The Way I Am'". Entertainment Tonight Canada. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  3. Maicki, Salvatore (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth shares video for "The Way I Am"". The Fader. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  4. Billboard Radio China (June 17, 2018). "Charlie Puth Will Bring 'Voicenotes Tour' to Asia in Fall: See Dates". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. Jones, Abby (May 3, 2018). "Charlie Puth Finds Confidence With New Single 'The Way I Am': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. Miller, Jordan (July 10, 2018). "Charlie Puth's Best 'Voicenotes' Track "The Way I Am" Has A Music Video". Breathe Heavy. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  7. Reed, Ryan (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth Looks Miserable at House Party in 'The Way I Am' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  8. Weatherby, Taylor (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth Finds a Love Interest Amid House Party Madness in 'The Way I Am' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  9. Pierre, Mekishana (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth Does His Best Jordan Catalano Impression in "The Way I Am" Music Video". PopSugar. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  10. Salazar, Alejandra (June 25, 2018). "Do Blondes Have More Fun? Ask Charlie Puth". Refinery29. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  11. Gould, Wendy (June 26, 2018). "You Will Not Recognise Charlie Puth With His New Platinum Hair". PopSugar. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  12. Team Artistdirect (July 9, 2018). "Charlie Puth Unveils "The Way I Am" Music Video". Artistdirect. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  13. BrandRoom (July 10, 2018). "WATCH: Charlie Puth unveils 'The Way I am' Music Video". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  14. "The Way I Am (Acoustic) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  15. "The Way I Am (Eden Prince Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  16. "The Way I Am (Slushii Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved September 7, 2018.
  17. "The Way I Am (Taska Black Remix) - Single by Charlie Puth on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  18. Voicenotes (Media notes). Charlie Puth. Atlantic Records. 2018.CS1 maint: others (link)
  19. "Ultratop.be – Charlie Puth – The Way I Am" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  20. "Ultratop.be – Charlie Puth – The Way I Am" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  21. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  22. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  23. "Lescharts.com – Charlie Puth – The Way I Am" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  24. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  25. "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  26. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  27. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  28. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  29. "Dance Songs Chart: November 10, 2018". Billboard. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  30. "Charlie Puth Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  31. "Adult Pop Songs – Year-End 2018". Billboard. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  32. "American single certifications – Charlie Puth – The Way I Am". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  33. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access Media Group. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  34. "CHARLIE PUTH "The Way I Am" - (Radio Date: 14/09/2018)". radiodate.it.
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