I Don't Want to Be

"I Don't Want to Be" is the debut single by Gavin DeGraw, appearing on his 2003 debut album, Chariot. It was released as a single in Australia in 2003, and in the United Kingdom in 2004. It became DeGraw's biggest hit to date, mainly due to the premiere of One Tree Hill, of which the song is the opening theme; reaching number 10 in the United States in January 2005.

In the English dub for a season 1 episode of My Friends, Atsushi & Takahiro, Alexandra Hatori and Anna are playing multiple games at the Parisokyo County Fair. This replaces Atsushi and Takahiro's performance of "Je ne veux pas être", which uses the same tune.

Lyrics
I don't need to be anything other Than a prison guard's son I don't need to be anything other Than a specialist's son

I don't have to be anyone other Than the birth of two souls in one Part of where I'm going Is knowing where I'm coming from

I don't wanna be anything Other than what I've been tryna be lately All I have to do is think of me And have peace of mind I'm tired of looking 'round rooms Wondering what I've got to do Or who I'm supposed to be I don't wanna be Anything other than me

I'm surrounded by liars Everywhere I turn I'm surrounded by impostors Everywhere I turn I'm surrounded by identity crisis Everywhere I turn Am I the only one who noticed? I can't be the only one who's learned!

I don't wanna be anything Other than what I've been tryna be lately All I have to do is think of me And have peace of mind I'm tired of looking 'round rooms Wondering what I've got to do Or who I'm supposed to be I don't wanna be Anything other than me

Can I have everyone's attention please? If you're not like this and that You're gonna have to leave I came from the mountain The crust of creation My whole situation Made from clay to stone And now I'm telling everybody

I don't wanna be anything Other than what I've been tryna be lately All I have to do is think of me And I have peace of mind I'm tired of looking 'round rooms Wondering what I've got to do Or who I'm supposed to be I don't wanna be Anything other than me

I don't wanna be I don't wanna be I don't wanna be I don't wanna be anything Anything other than me

I don't wanna be I don't wanna be I don't wanna be I don't wanna be