The Jackson 5 - I've Gotta Be Me (Unreleased)

This is a Sammy Davis Jr. cover the Jackson 5 recorded for Motown - remains unreleased. Sammy's version appeared on his 1968 album of the same title.

It was originally penned for the Broadway production, Golden Rainbow, as a vehicle for the husband-wife team of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.


I've Gotta Be Me - Lyrics

Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me