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

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.