Video hit Dream Theater

Dream Theater - As I am (live at Budokan)

As I Am starts with the ending synth/orchestral chord of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.

Some lyrics of "As I Am" were inspired by Dream Theater's 2003 summer tour with Queensrÿche, described by Mike Portnoy as an "irksome series of shows." According to Portnoy, Queensrÿche guitarist Mike Stone tried giving John Petrucci tips on playing guitar, leading Petrucci to write the lyrics: "Don't tell me what's in, tell me how to write.

Live at Budokan is a live recording released by progressive metal band Dream Theater on October 5, 2004, available on either 3 CDs, 2 DVDs, or 1 Blu-ray Disc. It was recorded at the Nippon Budokan Hall on April 26, 2004 in Tokyo, Japan.

Personnel:

James LaBrie – Lead vocals, percussion

John Petrucci – Guitar, backing vocals

Jordan Rudess – Keyboards

John Myung – Bass Guitar, Chapman Stick

Mike Portnoy – Drums, backing vocals

The lyrics:

Don't

Tell me what's in

Tell me how to write

Don't tell me how to win

This fight

Isn't your life

It isn't your right

To take the only thing that's

mine

Proven over time

It is over your head

Don't try to read between the

Lines

Are clearly defined

"Never lose sight of

Something you believe in"

Taking in the view from the outside

Feeling like the underdog

Watching through the window I'm on the outside

Living like the underdog

I've been trying to justify you

In the end I will just defy you

To those who understand, I extend my hand

To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am

Not under your command, I know where I stand

I won't change to fix your plan, Take me as I am

As I am

Still

Running uphill

Swimming against the current

I wish I weren't so

Fucked

Feels like I'm stuck

Lost in a sea of mediocrity

Slow down,

You're thinking too much

Where is your soul?

You cannot touch

The way I

Play

Or tell me what to say

You're in the way

Of all that I believe in

Taking in the view from the outside

Feeling like the underdog

Watching through the window I'm on the outside

Living like the underdog

I've been wasting my breath on you

Open minds will descend upon you

To those who understand, I extend my hand

To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am

Not under your command, I know where I stand

I won't change to fix your plan, take me as I am

To those who understand, I extend my hand

To the doubtful I demand, take me as I am

Not under your command, I know where I stand

I won't change to fix your plan, take me as I am

As I am

Yeah

As I am