As I Am
by Justin Bieber (featuring Khalid)

Album: Justice (2021)
Charted: 24 43
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This heart-on-sleeve pop song finds Justin Bieber admitting to being a difficult person to live with because at times he acts selfishly. He pays tribute to his wife Hailey as he sings of his wonder of her selfless love for him.
  • In the first verse the Biebs recounts how he sometimes takes some "me" time away from his wife as a coping mechanism.

    By myself sometimes, to give my mind some space
    Yeah, I know, yeah, I know that it hurts when I push your love away


    Bieber hates himself for hurting Hailey when he does this. He tells her if she's willing to accept him, warts and all, then he'll commit himself to being his best version of himself.

    Take me with the good and the ugly
    Say, "I'm not goin' anywhere"
    Take me as I am, swear I'll do the best I can
  • Bieber told Vogue he loves this song's hopeful message. "A lot of us, including me at times, have felt unworthy of love and so [the hook] is saying, 'Take me as I am and I'll do the best that I can.' It's that commitment that I personally made to my wife," he explained. "I'm here through thick and thin - this is me, take it or leave it."
  • "As I Am" is one of several vulnerable love songs on Justice where Bieber links up with a guest artist. Others include "Die for You" (Dominic Fike), "Love You Different" (BEAM) and "Loved by You" (Burna Boy).
  • Bieber and Khalid teamed up with The Monsters & Strangerz to pen the song. The Miami production and songwriting team also contributed to the Justice tracks "Anyone," "Ghost" and "Love You Different."

Comments: 1

  • Audie from ColoradoI LoVe JuStIn BeIBeR
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?

Did They Really Sing In That Movie?Fact or Fiction

Bradley Cooper, Michael J. Fox, Rami Malek, Reese Witherspoon, Gwyneth Paltrow and George Clooney: Which actors really sang in their movies?