I Am What I Am

Released in 1992 on the Stardust label, this recording features Shirley Bassey interpreting the iconic anthem from the musical La Cage aux Folles. The track was arranged and conducted by Carl Davis, whose collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra provided a lush, symphonic backdrop that heightened the dramatic theatricality of Bassey’s vocal delivery. This rendition was part of a broader effort to showcase Bassey’s enduring power as a balladeer, framing her signature intensity within a grand, orchestral context.

The song itself had become a cultural touchstone by the early nineties, recognized as an anthem of resilience and personal identity. By selecting Bassey to perform it, the production aimed to capitalize on her status as a legendary interpreter of show tunes and dramatic standards. The record was received as a definitive addition to her late-career catalog, celebrated for the chemistry between her commanding stage presence and Davis's sweeping, cinematic arrangements.