I Am (Mary J. Blige song)

"I Am"
"I Am"
Single by Mary J. Blige
from the album Stronger with Each Tear
Released	December 8, 2009
Recorded	2009
Genre	R&B
Length	3:28
Label	Matriarch; Geffen;
Songwriter(s)	Johntá Austin; Magnus Beite; Mary J. Blige; Ester Dean; Mikkel Eriksen; Tor Erik Hermansen;
Producer(s)	Stargate
Mary J. Blige singles chronology
Music video
	"I Am" on YouTube

"I Am" is a song by American R&B singer Mary J. Blige. It was written by Blige, Johntá Austin, Ester Dean, Magnus Beite, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel Eriksen for her ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear (2009), while production was helmed by Hermansen and Eriksen under their production moniker Stargate. Lyrically, the song "I Am" confidently tells one's lover nobody can treat them better than the person they are with at the present time.^[1]

Release and promotion

"I Am" was sent to urban radio in the week beginning November 10, 2009 and was released as a digital download on December 8, 2009^[2] She performed "I Am" live for the first time at the 2009 American Music Awards on November 22, 2009.^{[citation needed]} Blige also performed "I Am" on Lopez Tonight,^[3] So You Think You Can Dance,^[4] The Jay Leno Show,^[5] Jimmy Kimmel Live!,^[6] A&E Television's Private Sessions,^[7] The Today Show,^[8] The View,^[9] The Ellen DeGeneres Show,^[10] and on the Late Show with David Letterman.^[11] In the United Kingdom, the song was released as the first single from Stronger with Each Tear on March 1, 2010. Mary J Blige performed "I Am" on Alan Carr: Chatty Man on March 11, 2010.

Critical reception

BET.com wrote of the song: "This song is a perfect showcase of Mary's brighter outlook in the new millennium. Looking back at all the drama and pain of the '90s – both in her music and in her personal life – it's hard not to smile hearing her newfound confidence and optimism here."^[12]

Chart performance

"I Am" debuted at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending December 26, 2009. It eventually peaked at number 55, also reaching number three on the Dance Club Songs and number four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs as well as topping the Adult R&B Songs. Billboard ranked it 12th on the latter chart's 2010 year-end ranking.^[13] In the United Kingdom, "I Am" entered and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 24 on March 7, 2010.^[14] Elsewhere, it peaked at number 11 on the Japan Hot 100.^[14]

Music video

The music video for "I Am" was directed by Anthony Mandler. The video premiered via Vevo on December 8, 2009.^[15]

Track list

U.K. CD single – Matriarch Records/Geffen Records 2734850

"I Am" – 3:23
"I Am" (Instrumental) – 3:26

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2009–10)	Peak position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)^[16]	96
European Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)^[17]	95
Japan (Japan Hot 100)^[18]	11
Scotland (OCC)^[19]	69
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	34
UK Hip Hop/R&B (OCC)^[20]	9
US Billboard Hot 100^[21]	55
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)^[22]	3
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[23]	4
US Rhythmic (Billboard)^[24]	25

Year-end charts

Chart (2010)	Position
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)^[13]	12
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)^[25]	8

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, release format, label, and reference
Region	Date	Format(s)	Label	Ref
United States	November 24, 2009	Airplay	Matriarch, Geffen Records	^[26]^[27]
United States	December 8, 2009	Digital download	Matriarch, Geffen Records	^[28]
United Kingdom	February 25, 2010	Digital download	Polydor Records	^[29]
United Kingdom	March 1, 2010	CD single	Polydor Records	^[30]

References

^ "New Music: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
^ "Radio1 – R&B & Hip-Hop New Songs". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
^ "Video: Mary J. Blige Visits 'Lopez Tonight'". Rap-Up.com. November 23, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Video: Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, & Leona Lewis on 'SYTYCD'". Rap-Up.com. December 16, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ 12/17/2009 by TeamIGA (December 17, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Jay Leno Show Thursday 12/17". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ 12/18/2009 by TeamIGA (December 18, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday 12/18". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ lucasfdesousa (December 16, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige to appear on A&E Private Sessions 12/20". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ shawanndemaure (December 23, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Today Show Tuesday 12/22". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ AndreaRivera (January 2, 2010). "Mary J. Blige : News : Watch Mary J. Blige on TV Wednesday, December 23rd!". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Mary J. Blige Has Her Cake & Eats It Too". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Video: Mary J. Blige in Concert on 'Letterman'". Rap-Up.com. February 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Mary J. Blige's 50 Best Songs – MJB's What's the 411? was released 22 years ago today". BET.com. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "2010 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Mary J. Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Video: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Mary J. Blige – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20. ^{[dead link]}
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1,2022.
^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1,2022.
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.
^ "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
^ "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: CHR/Top 40". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Radio1 – Forthcoming USA Singles". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
^ "I Am: Mary J. Blige: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. January 1, 1970. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
^ "iTunes – Music – I Am (Moto Blanco Dub Remix) – Single by Mary J. Blige". Itunes.apple.com. February 25, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "I Am: Mary J. Blige: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[1] "New Music: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved November 24, 2009.

[2] "Radio1 – R&B & Hip-Hop New Songs". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on March 20, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2009.

[3] "Video: Mary J. Blige Visits 'Lopez Tonight'". Rap-Up.com. November 23, 2009. Archived from the original on November 29, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[4] "Video: Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, & Leona Lewis on 'SYTYCD'". Rap-Up.com. December 16, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[5] 12/17/2009 by TeamIGA (December 17, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Jay Leno Show Thursday 12/17". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[6] 12/18/2009 by TeamIGA (December 18, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on Jimmy Kimmel Live Friday 12/18". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

[7] ucasfdesousa (December 16, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige to appear on A&E Private Sessions 12/20". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[8] shawanndemaure (December 23, 2009). "Mary J. Blige : News : Mary J. Blige on The Today Show Tuesday 12/22". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[9] AndreaRivera (January 2, 2010). "Mary J. Blige : News : Watch Mary J. Blige on TV Wednesday, December 23rd!". Interscope.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[10] "Mary J. Blige Has Her Cake & Eats It Too". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[11] "Video: Mary J. Blige in Concert on 'Letterman'". Rap-Up.com. February 16, 2010. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[BET-12] "Mary J. Blige's 50 Best Songs – MJB's What's the 411? was released 22 years ago today". BET.com. Retrieved March 11, 2024.

[UARS-13] "2010 Year End Chart: Adult R&B Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2020.

[uk-14] "Mary J. Blige: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[15] "Video: Mary J. Blige – 'I Am'". Rap-Up.com. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[sc_Billboardcanadianhot100_Mary_J._Blige-16] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[sc_Billboardeuropeanhot100_Mary_J._Blige_-17] "Mary J. Blige – Chart Search" Billboard European Hot 100 Singles for Mary J. Blige. Retrieved 2010-03-20. ^{[dead link]}

[japan-18] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[sc_Scotland_-19] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1,2022.

[sc_UKrandb_-20] "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 1,2022.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Mary_J._Blige-21] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Mary_J._Blige-22] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[sc_Billboardrandbhiphop_Mary_J._Blige-23] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-03-20.

[sc_Billboardrhythmic_Mary_J._Blige-24] "Mary J. Blige Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 30, 2022.

[25] "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2021.

[26] "®R&R :: Going For Adds™ :: CHR/Top 40". Gfa.radioandrecords.com. November 24, 2009. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[27] "Radio1 – Forthcoming USA Singles". Radio1.gr. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved November 24, 2009.

[28] "I Am: Mary J. Blige: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. January 1, 1970. Retrieved November 24, 2009.

[29] "iTunes – Music – I Am (Moto Blanco Dub Remix) – Single by Mary J. Blige". Itunes.apple.com. February 25, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

[30] "I Am: Mary J. Blige: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved October 20, 2011.

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v t e Mary J. Blige singles
Discography Songs
1990s singles	"You Remind Me" "Real Love" "Reminisce" "Sweet Thing" "Love No Limit" "You Don't Have to Worry" "My Love" "Be Happy" "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" " I'm Goin' Down" "You Bring Me Joy" "I Love You" "Love Is All We Need" "I Can Love You" "Everything" "Missing You" "Seven Days" "As" "All That I Can Say" "Deep Inside"
2000s singles	"Your Child" "Give Me You" "Family Affair" "No More Drama" "Dance for Me" "Rainy Dayz" "Love @ 1st Sight" "Ooh!" "Not Today" "Whenever I Say Your Name" "It's a Wrap" "MJB da MVP" "Be Without You" "One" "Enough Cryin" "Take Me As I Am" "We Ride (I See the Future)" "Just Fine" "Work That" "Stay Down" "The One" "I Am"
2010s singles	"Each Tear" "We Got Hood Love" "Ain't Nobody" "25/8" "Don't Mind" "Mr. Wrong" "Why" "Love a Woman" "Someone to Love Me (Naked)" "Do You Hear What I Hear?" "This Christmas" "Suitcase" "Doubt" "Right Now" "Therapy" "Whole Damn Year" "Thick of It" "U + Me (Love Lesson)" "Love Yourself" "Set Me Free" "Only Love" "Thriving" "Know"
2020s singles	"Good Morning Gorgeous" "Amazing" "Still Believe in Love"
Soundtracks	"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" "Not Gon' Cry" "Stronger" "The Living Proof"
Guest appearances	"911" "Ain't No Way" "America's Song" "Bridge over Troubled Water" "Can't Knock the Hustle" "Disrespectful" "F for You" "Hands" "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" "I'm a Hustla (Remix)" "If U Leave" "It's a Wrap" "Just Stand Up!" "Lean on Me" "Magic Touch (NYC Remix)" "Now or Never" "Remember Me" "Runaway Love" "Stay with Me (Remix)" "Touch It (Remix)" "Wake Up Call (Mark Ronson Remix)" "What Child Is This" "Where's the Love?"
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