Be Yourself

"Be Yourself" is a profound and introspective song by Audioslave that centers on the themes of authenticity, self-acceptance, and the diversity of human experience. The lyrics, penned by frontman Chris Cornell, were inspired by his own life, reflecting on his past mistakes, tragedies, and personal growth. He explained that the song's simple, direct message is something he might have been embarrassed to write a decade earlier, but with age came the wisdom to embrace such a straightforward truth.

The song uses a series of contrasting vignettes to illustrate how different people react to similar situations — love, loss, life, and death. For example, 'Someone finds salvation in everyone / Another only pain' or 'Someone gets excited / In a chapel yard / Catches a bouquet / Another lays a dozen / White roses on a grave'. These juxtapositions highlight that there is no single 'correct' way to experience the world; instead, life is a spectrum of individual perspectives and emotional responses. The overarching message, repeated in the powerful chorus, is that regardless of circumstances or outcomes ('You may win or lose'), the most essential thing one can do is remain true to their own nature: 'To be yourself is all that you can do'. It's a call to abandon pretense and the pressure to conform, advocating for an acceptance of one's own identity, flaws, and path in life.

The narrative of the song unfolds through a series of contrasting vignettes, illustrating the diverse and often contradictory nature of the human experience. It begins with scenes of profound loneliness and quiet desperation, depicting one person falling apart while sleeping alone, and another trying to numb their pain in silence until they finally find a sense of release. This is immediately juxtaposed with a scene of joy and hope: someone in a chapel yard, excited to catch a wedding bouquet, a symbol of future happiness. Yet, in the same space of life and death, another person is laying white roses on a grave, an act of remembrance and sorrow.

These snapshots of life's dualities — joy and grief, hope and despair — serve to frame the song's central message, which is delivered in the chorus. The recurring affirmation is that in the face of all these varied experiences, the most fundamental and achievable act is to simply be authentic to who you are. The journey continues with further contrasts: one person finds salvation and connection in every person they meet, seeing the good in humanity, while another finds only pain and suffering. Someone turns inward, hiding from the world and praying in solitude, while another publicly declares their eternal love. There's a juxtaposition between commitment and flight, showing one person swearing their love 'until the end of time' while another chooses to run away, highlighting the different paths people take when faced with love and relationships, whether they are 'separate or united, empty or insane'.

The song then shifts to a more direct and personal address in the bridge. It acknowledges the struggles and hardships one might face — feeling like you've paid your dues, been torn apart, or held back by circumstances. It speaks to the memories of what could have been, both good and bad, and the various 'faces of luck' that shape a life. Despite all this, the song offers a message of reassurance and peace: 'Don't lose any sleep tonight, I'm sure everything will end up alright.' It accepts that life involves both winning and losing, but emphasizes that through it all, the ultimate victory lies in maintaining one's integrity and being true to oneself. This powerful and straightforward philosophy is repeated, becoming a mantra of self-acceptance and resilience against the unpredictable and often difficult tapestry of life.

"Be Yourself" was released on February 2, 2005, as the lead single from Audioslave's second studio album, Out of Exile. The song was recorded in 2004 with the rest of the album, produced by Rick Rubin. The formation of Audioslave itself was a significant event, merging the powerhouse vocals of Soundgarden's Chris Cornell with the instrumental section of Rage Against the Machine: Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk. By their second album, the band was consciously moving to establish an identity separate from their previous iconic groups.

Chris Cornell revealed that the lyrical inspiration for "Be Yourself" was deeply personal, stemming from the many changes, tragedies, and 'horrendously stupid mistakes' he had made in his life. It was a reflection on personal growth and the desire to live without shame for his past. Bassist Tim Commerford mentioned that his bass line for the song was influenced by the John Coltrane ballad "Naima." The music video was directed by Francis Lawrence and filmed in an old hotel in Los Angeles. Cornell stated the video's stark, performance-focused concept was modeled after The Beatles' film Let It Be, aiming for a look that felt important and real.

The song's lyrical structure does not follow a strict, conventional rhyme scheme, leaning more towards free verse, particularly in the stanzas. The focus is on lyrical parallelism and contrast rather than end rhymes. For example, the lines 'Someone falls to pieces / Sleeping all alone' and 'Someone kills the pain / Spinning in the silence' create a rhythmic and thematic pairing. The chorus, however, has a more structured feel due to the repetition of the key phrase, creating a powerful, chant-like hook.

Musically, "Be Yourself" is set in a moderate 4/4 time signature at a tempo of around 95 BPM. The rhythm is steady and grounded, providing a strong backbone for the song's emotional build. The verses feature a more spacious rhythmic feel, with the bass and drums providing a simple, heartbeat-like pulse that allows Cornell's vocals to be the main focus. In the chorus, the rhythm becomes more forceful and driving, with stronger cymbal crashes and a more assertive bass line, mirroring the shift in vocal intensity and lyrical conviction. This interplay between the calm, introspective rhythm of the verses and the powerful, anthemic rhythm of the chorus is crucial to the song's overall emotional arc, moving from contemplation to declaration.

Musically, "Be Yourself" showcases Audioslave's unique blend of 70s hard rock and 90s alternative rock. The song's structure is a masterclass in dynamic contrast, building from a relatively subdued, clean guitar riff in the verses to a powerful, distorted, and anthemic chorus. Tom Morello's guitar work is atmospheric and melodic rather than overtly aggressive, using slides and clean tones in the verses and layered, chord-based riffs in the chorus. His solo is expressive and melodic, complementing the song's emotional tone. The rhythm section of Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk provides a solid, steady foundation that drives the song forward without overpowering the vocals. Commerford's bass line, inspired by jazz, adds a subtle melodic counterpoint.

Chris Cornell's vocal performance is a key stylistic element. He demonstrates his incredible range, shifting from a soulful, restrained delivery in the verses to a soaring, powerful belt in the chorus. His lyrics employ a direct, declarative narrative style, using contrasting vignettes to create a universally relatable message. The repetition of the title phrase in the chorus acts as a powerful hook and a central thematic motif, a technique that makes the song both memorable and impactful.

"Be Yourself" was a significant commercial success for Audioslave, becoming one of their signature songs. It topped both the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Tracks charts in the U.S. for multiple weeks and charted internationally. This success helped solidify Audioslave's identity beyond being a 'supergroup' of former members of Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine.

The song's straightforward, positive message of self-acceptance resonated widely with audiences and has had an enduring legacy. Its themes are universal, allowing it to remain relevant years after its release. The track is a staple of rock radio and continues to be one of the band's most recognized works. Its use of direct, inspirational lyrics marked a shift from the more cryptic style Cornell was known for in Soundgarden and the political fury of Rage Against the Machine. "Be Yourself" is often cited as a fan favorite and a standout track in Chris Cornell's extensive songwriting catalog, appreciated for its raw honesty and uplifting power.

The lyrical structure of "Be Yourself" relies heavily on symbolism and juxtaposition to convey its message. The song presents a series of contrasting images that symbolize the dualities of life:

• Chapel Yard (Bouquet vs. Grave): This is a powerful symbol contrasting life's most joyous and somber moments. Catching a bouquet at a wedding represents hope, new beginnings, and future happiness, while laying roses on a grave signifies loss, memory, and the end of a life. This stark imagery underscores the idea that joy and sorrow are inextricably linked in the human experience.
• Salvation vs. Pain: The lines 'Someone finds salvation in everyone / Another only pain' serve as a metaphor for one's outlook on life and human connection. It illustrates the subjective nature of experience; where one person finds hope and redemption in others, another may only encounter hurt and disappointment. This highlights the concept of inherent disposition and personal perspective.
• Commitment vs. Escape: The contrast between someone who 'swears his true love / Until the end of time' and 'another runs away' symbolizes the different ways individuals handle commitment and vulnerability. It speaks to the fundamental differences in how people approach relationships and their own emotional landscapes, described as 'separate or united / empty or insane.'

The recurring phrase 'To be yourself is all that you can do' functions not as a metaphor itself, but as the philosophical anchor that gives meaning to all these symbolic contrasts. It suggests that authenticity is the only constant in a world of varying perspectives and outcomes.

The most significant recurring element in "Be Yourself" is the lyrical motif and title phrase: 'To be yourself is all that you can do'. This line serves as the song's central thesis and is repeated multiple times throughout the chorus and outro, functioning as a powerful mantra. Its repetition drills the message of authenticity and self-acceptance into the listener's mind, making it the song's most memorable and impactful element. Each time it's repeated, especially in the outro, it gains intensity, reinforced by the full band and Cornell's soaring vocals, transforming a simple piece of advice into a profound and liberating anthem.

Another recurring motif is the use of contrasting character vignettes. The song repeatedly introduces opposing scenarios: joy vs. sorrow ('catches a bouquet' vs. 'lays a dozen white roses'), connection vs. isolation ('finds salvation in everyone' vs. 'another only pain'), and commitment vs. flight ('swears his true love' vs. 'another runs away'). This structural pattern is a recurring device used to illustrate the song's theme about the diversity of human nature and experience, reinforcing the idea that being oneself is the only logical response to life's inherent contradictions.