What You Are

"What You Are"
Single by Audioslave
from the album Audioslave
Released 2004
Format CD
Recorded 2002
Genre Hard rock, alternative rock
Length 4:09
Label Epic
Writer(s) Lyrics: Chris Cornell
Music: Audioslave
Producer Rick Rubin
Audioslave singles chronology
"I Am the Highway"
(2004)
"What You Are"
(2004)
"Be Yourself"
(2005)

"What You Are" is the fifth single by American rock band Audioslave, and the final single from their self-titled debut. It was released in 2004 and peaked at number 17 on the U.S. Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song meaning is described as being a way to ditch an "evil woman". The song was also used in a TV spot for the movie Spider-Man 2.

song lyric

I'm driving around town Kinda bored with the windows rolled down See a girl on the bus stop bench Dressed to draw attention

Hoping everyone will stare If she don't stand out she thinks she'll disappear Wish I could hold her, tell her, show her What she wants is already there

A star is a star It doesn't have to try to shine Water will fall A bird just knows how to fly

You don't have to tell a flower how to bloom Or light how to fill up a room You already are what you are And what you are is beautiful

Heard a story the other day Took place at the local VA A father talking to his dying son This was his conversation

"It's not supposed to be like this You can't go first I can't handle it" The boy said "Dad now don't you cry, Remember when I was a child what you used to tell me when I'd ask why?"

(You'd say) Gravity is gravity It doesn't try to pull you down Stone is stone It can't help but hold its ground

The wind just blows, though you can't see It's everywhere like I'll always be You already are what you are And what you are is strong enough

Look in the mirror Now that's another story to tell I give love to others But I give myself hell

I'd have to tell myself "In every scene there's a perfect plan" Everything I hoped to be I already am

A flower is a flower It doesn't have to try to bloom And light is light Just knows how to fill a room

And dark is dark So the stars have a place to shine The tide goes out So it can come back another time

Goodbye makes a love so sweet And love is love so it can teach us We already are what we are And what we are is beautiful

And strong enough And good enough And bright enough