So Am I

"So Am I" by Ava Max is a powerful and unapologetic anthem about self-love, acceptance, and the celebration of individuality. The core message of the song is to empower those who feel like outcasts or misfits in a society that often pressures individuals to conform. Ava Max explained that the lyrics are about "loving yourself, being different, being an outcast and not fitting in the format that society wants to put us in". It's a declaration that one's perceived flaws and differences are what make them perfect and unique.

The lyrics directly address the listener, asking "Do you ever feel like a misfit? Everything inside you is dark and twisted?" before reassuring them, "Oh, but it's okay to be different 'cause baby, so am I". This creates a powerful sense of solidarity and empathy, letting listeners know they are not alone in their feelings. The song explicitly rejects the idea of a societal mold, encouraging people to forge their own path. The music video reinforces this theme by being set in a school, a place where feelings of being an outcast and bullying often begin. By showcasing a diverse group of students, Max visually represents the message that our differences should be celebrated as a form of unity.

The song begins with a direct and relatable question, asking listeners if they have ever felt like a misfit, with a sense of inner darkness and complexity. It immediately establishes a connection with those who feel they don't belong. The narrator acknowledges the feeling of being judged, hearing whispers and feeling eyes on them from across a room, comparing the lingering presence of judgment to the inescapable scent of cheap perfume. However, instead of internalizing this negativity, the song reframes it as a positive. The central message, delivered with powerful conviction in the chorus, is that it is perfectly acceptable to be different. The narrator declares solidarity with the listener by stating, "'Cause baby, so am I." This phrase becomes a powerful, recurring affirmation of shared experience and acceptance.

The narrative continues by challenging the pressure to conform to societal norms, questioning why anyone would strive to be just like everyone else in their neighborhood when they possess a unique and beautiful individuality. It encourages listeners to embrace their so-called flaws and eccentricities. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who is misunderstood but finds strength in that position. It's a call to abandon the pursuit of fitting in and instead to revel in what makes one unique.

In the second verse, the song references iconic, rebellious figures like Sid and Nancy, not as role models for their destructive behavior, but as symbols of a carefree, anti-establishment attitude. This is paired with a call to be a "killer queen," a nod to the legendary band Queen and its frontman Freddie Mercury, another celebrated 'misfit'. These references serve to glamorize and empower the idea of being an outsider. The lyrics describe the narrator and their fellow outcasts as a paradoxical mix of "sinners and the blessings," acknowledging that society might label them negatively while also recognizing their inherent worth and positive impact. This duality is a key theme, suggesting that people are complex and cannot be confined to a single label.

The bridge of the song builds on this idea of dualities, proclaiming that one can be both strong and weak, bound yet free. It’s a message that embraces the full spectrum of human experience, rejecting simplistic categorizations. The ultimate call to action is for all the "outcasts and the misfits" to join together in unity. The song culminates in a triumphant celebration of individuality, a final, powerful declaration that your unique identity—your supposed craziness, your flaws, your differentness—is not only okay but is a source of strength and connection, because the narrator shares in that same experience.

"So Am I" was released on March 7, 2019, as a single through Atlantic Records and was later included on Ava Max's debut studio album, Heaven & Hell (2020). The song was the highly anticipated follow-up to her breakthrough hit "Sweet but Psycho". The track boasts a team of notable songwriters, including Ava Max herself (credited as Amanda Ava Koci), producer Cirkut (Henry Walter), Charlie Puth, Maria Jane Smith and Victor Thell of the Swedish duo Smith & Thell, Gigi Grombacher, and Roland Spreckley. Cirkut, who also produced "Sweet but Psycho," handled the production for "So Am I".

Ava Max stated that the inspiration for the song came from her own experiences and a desire to create a message of empowerment. She said the song is about "what makes people unique and different from each other" and serves as a reminder that "flaws make me perfect, because in reality there is no perfect." Before its official release, Max teased the song on Twitter, encouraging fans to share photos of themselves with the hashtag #SoAmI to highlight what makes them different. A remix featuring the South Korean boy band NCT 127 was released on July 3, 2019, which added new rap verses in both English and Korean.

"So Am I" employs a relatively simple and effective rhyme scheme that serves its pop anthem structure. The verses often follow an AABB or ABCB pattern, making the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. For instance, in the first verse, "room" rhymes with "perfume," creating a straightforward couplet that emphasizes the lyrical point.

The song's rhythm is a key component of its energetic and defiant feel. It is set in common time with a driving tempo of approximately 130 beats per minute (BPM). This upbeat tempo, characteristic of dance-pop, creates a sense of forward momentum and optimism, turning a message about feeling like an outcast into a celebratory anthem rather than a melancholic ballad. The interplay between the rhythmic, almost spoken-word delivery of the verses and the soaring, melodic chorus creates a dynamic contrast that builds energy throughout the track. The steady, danceable beat invites physical movement, aligning the act of dancing with the lyrical theme of liberation and self-expression.

Musically, "So Am I" is an energetic electropop and dance-pop track characterized by its upbeat tempo (around 130 beats per minute), infectious hooks, and a catchy, anthemic chorus designed for mass appeal. The production by Cirkut is clean and powerful, featuring a driving beat and synth-heavy instrumentation typical of the genre. Ava Max's vocal performance is described as "crisp, soothing and expressive," moving from rhythmic, almost "growly" verses to soaring, siren-like vocals in the chorus.

Lyrically, the song uses several literary techniques. The most prominent is the use of rhetorical questions ("Do you ever feel like a misfit?") to create an immediate, personal connection with the audience. This technique of direct address makes the listener an active participant in the song's narrative. The song is built in a standard verse-chorus form, which enhances its pop accessibility and makes the central message memorable. There is also a strong element of declarative language in the recurring phrase "So am I," which acts as a powerful statement of solidarity and identity.

"So Am I" was a significant commercial success and solidified Ava Max's status as a rising pop star following her breakout hit "Sweet but Psycho". The song performed well on international charts, peaking at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart and number 14 in Australia. It also reached number one in Poland and the top 10 in several other countries, including Norway, Scotland, and Finland. In the US, it peaked at number five on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The song received multiple certifications, including Platinum in the United States, the UK, Brazil, Canada, and Switzerland, and Double Platinum in Australia. Its message of empowerment resonated widely, with many critics and fans considering it an LGBTQ anthem. The music video, directed by Isaac Rentz, was also popular, visually reinforcing the song's themes of embracing diversity and standing up to bullying. A notable remix was released with the K-pop group NCT 127, expanding its reach to a different audience. The song remains a fan-favorite and a key track in Ava Max's discography, celebrated for its uplifting message and catchy pop production.

The primary symbolism in "So Am I" revolves around the archetypes of the misfit and the outcast. These terms are reclaimed from negative connotations and turned into badges of honor. The song posits that being a "misfit" is not a sign of being flawed, but a sign of being unique and authentic in a world that demands conformity.

The lyric "you feel her eyes all over you like cheap perfume" uses a simile to symbolize the pervasive and unpleasant nature of judgment from others. It's an invisible but palpable presence that lingers and is hard to escape.

The song also employs cultural symbols to bolster its message. The reference to "Sid and Nancy" symbolizes a rebellious, carefree spirit that defies societal norms. While not presented as role models for their lifestyle, they represent the ultimate rejection of the mainstream. The mention of "Killer Queen" is a direct reference to the song by Queen and its iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury, who is celebrated as a powerful and successful individual who defied categorization. These references create a lineage of celebrated outsiders for the listener to identify with.

The music video further enhances this symbolism, using the school setting as a microcosm of society where cliques and bullying represent the broader pressures to fit in. The diverse cast of students featured alongside Max symbolizes a united front of outcasts who find strength and community in their shared differences.

The most significant recurring phrase in "So Am I" is the title line itself, "'Cause baby, so am I." This phrase functions as the song's central hook and emotional core. Its repetition at the end of each chorus serves as a powerful affirmation and a declaration of solidarity. It transforms the song from a simple description of feeling different into a shared experience, creating a bond between the artist and the listener. Each time it is repeated, it reinforces the song's primary message of self-acceptance and community among those who feel like outsiders.

Another recurring motif is the direct question, "Do you ever feel like a misfit?" and its variations like "Do you ever feel like an outcast?" This question opens the song and reappears, consistently drawing the listener in and making the song's themes feel personal and relatable. It's a call for self-reflection that is immediately answered by the comforting reassurance of the song's title phrase. Together, these two recurring elements create a powerful call-and-response structure within the song, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.