View source for I Am Me

{{other uses}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = I Am Me
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[Ashlee Simpson]]
| cover      = Ashlee Simpson - I Am Me.png
| border     = yes
| alt        =
| released   = {{Start date|2005|10|18}}
| recorded   = May–August 2005
| studio     =
| genre      =
*[[Pop rock]]
*[[pop punk]]
*[[alternative rock]]
| length     = 39:35
| label      = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| producer   = [[John Shanks]]
| prev_title = [[Autobiography (Ashlee Simpson album)|Autobiography]]
| prev_year  = 2004
| next_title = [[Bittersweet World]]
| next_year  = 2008
| misc       = {{Singles
| name        = I Am Me
| type        = studio
| single1     = [[Boyfriend (Ashlee Simpson song)|Boyfriend]]
| single1date = {{start date|2005|09|06}}
| single2     = [[L.O.V.E. (Ashlee Simpson song)|L.O.V.E.]]
| single2date = {{start date|2005|12|06}}
}}
}}
'''''I Am Me''''' is the second studio album by American recording artist [[Ashlee Simpson]]. It was released in the United States on October 18, 2005 (see [[2005 in music]]) and debuted at number one in sales. The album produced two top 25 hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, "[[Boyfriend (Ashlee Simpson song)|Boyfriend]]" and "[[L.O.V.E. (Ashlee Simpson song)|L.O.V.E.]]"  Simpson worked with [[John Shanks]] and [[Kara DioGuardi]] on this album, as she did on her first album, 2004's ''[[Autobiography (Ashlee Simpson album)|Autobiography]]''. Shanks produced the album, and Simpson co-wrote all the songs with Shanks and DioGuardi.<ref name="Press release">Geffen press release, [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-11-2005/0004166126&EDATE= "Ashlee Simpson's New Single 'Boyfriend' Now Radio's Best Friend Makes Fast Rise on U.S. Playlists"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014211701/http://prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F10-11-2005%2F0004166126&EDATE= |date=2007-10-14 }}, PRNewswire, October 11, 2005.</ref> On December 15, ''I Am Me'' was [[RIAA certification|certified Platinum]] by the [[RIAA]]<ref>[https://www.riaa.com RIAA.com].</ref> for its shipments of over one million copies in the U.S. (as of April 2008, it had sold 987,000 copies<ref name=LATimes>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-may-01-et-albums1-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=Randy | last=Lewis | title=Sales drop, but Carey stays at top | date=May 1, 2008}}</ref>).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?042208 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629070230/http://hitsdailydouble.com/sales/sales_ur.cgi?042208 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |title=Upcoming Releases |publisher=HITS Daily Double |access-date=2012-01-12 }}</ref>  A new single from Simpson, "[[Invisible (Ashlee Simpson song)|Invisible]]", was reportedly going to be included on a re-release of ''I Am Me'' in mid-2006, but was canceled. The song was later included as an international bonus track on Simpson's next album, ''[[Bittersweet World]]''.
==Background and production==
''I Am Me'' was released about fifteen months after ''Autobiography'', which was released in July 2004. According to Simpson, following her concert tour from February to April 2005, she was supposed to take a month off, but began working on the album early;<ref name="Alisha">Alisha Davis, [http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/simpson_ashlee/qa_101005/ "Ashlee Simpson: Everybody Has Moments"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516093515/http://www.mtv.com/bands/s/simpson_ashlee/qa_101005/ |date=2006-05-16 }}, MTV.com.</ref> as she said, "I got home and got bored, so I called John Shanks and was like, 'Can I come in the studio? Let's get a [[Head start (positioning)|head start]] so the record company's not asking for the record right away or anything."<ref name="Plain Dealer">[[Gary Graff]], "Ashlee Simpson puts woes of 'SNL' mishap on record", ''The Plain Dealer'', October 20, 2005.</ref> She also said that she wanted to "get the pre-jitters or anything that was going wrong out of my system. And when I went in everything started going smooth. It was fun." According to Simpson, she felt less pressure when recording ''I Am Me'' than she did when recording ''Autobiography''.<ref name="Alisha"/>
''I Am Me'' is, like its predecessor, a mixture of [[rock music|rock]] and [[pop music|pop]]; it has been described as similar to Simpson's first album,<ref>Jennifer Vineyard, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001130426/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1506955/20050804/story.jhtml "Ashlee Remembers SNL Incident But Forgets Boys On New LP"], MTV News, August 8, 2005. Joe Simpson is quoted here as saying: "They're going to love this record because it's more of the same".</ref> and Simpson herself has said that she wanted it to be "familiar" to ''Autobiography''.<ref name="Plain Dealer"/> Some differences have also been noted. ''I Am Me'' has been said to be influenced by '80s music,<ref name=BBC>Talia Kraines, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/pop/reviews/ashlee_simpson_iamme.shtml BBC.co.uk review of ''I Am Me''.]</ref><ref>Stephen Thomas Erlewine, [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r801771|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review of ''I Am Me''].</ref> and Simpson herself said "I just love '80s music" and "It's just so light and fun, and that was a lot of what I wanted to do on this record."<ref name=Mine>[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61059/i-me-mine "I 'Me' Mine"], Billboard.com, October 16, 2005.</ref> Prior to recording ''I Am Me'', Simpson had said she wanted to incorporate more of the feel of 17th century music into her next album, as some of her favorite music is from that time.<ref name="Getting personal">Jennifer Vineyard, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001003741/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1499052/03252005/simpson_ashlee.jhtml "Ashlee Simpson Going '80s, Getting Personal On Next Album"], MTV News, March 25, 2005.</ref>
''I Am Me'' has been called more musically "aggressive" than ''Autobiography''<ref name=Mine/> and incorporates a range of musical styles; it has been called "dynamic" and "ambitious". Simpson's father and manager [[Joe Simpson (manager)|Joe]] said that his daughter had to be held back from "the places she wanted to go" as an artist, because, he said, if she changed too quickly her fans would be left behind.<ref>Jonah Weiner, "Sister Act 2", ''Blender'', December 2005, page 117.</ref> Simpson has mentioned how she tried "new sounds" when working on the album, citing in particular the song "Burnin Up",<ref name="CNN">[http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0510/22/lkl.01.html ''Larry King Live'' transcript], October 22, 2005.</ref> which was described by one reviewer as "a fairly credible stab at [[The Clash|Clash]]-style dub".<ref name="Usinger">Mike Usinger, [https://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=14091 ''I Am Me'' review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060611150339/http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=14091 |date=2006-06-11 }}, Straight.com, November 10, 2005.</ref> This song is not a [[Cover version|cover]] of the early [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]] song ("[[Burning Up (Madonna song)|Burning Up]]") that Simpson covered live during her February–April 2005 tour.<ref name="Stylus">Josh Timmermann, [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3493 review of ''I Am Me''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060428083537/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=3493 |date=2006-04-28 }}, ''Stylus'', October 26, 2005.</ref>
Lyrically, the album reflects Simpson's different life experiences since her last album;<ref name="CNN"/> in particular, two songs deal with Simpson's emotions following her failed performance on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in October 2004, in which she used a backing track due to illness, only to have the wrong track played, thus making the presence of the backing track obvious and embarrassing her on live television. This incident left Simpson the target of a great deal of criticism and humor at her expense. The first song on the album that deals with the incident is "Beautifully Broken", which strikes a positive tone of overcoming as Simpson finds beauty in failure&mdash;"the song is kind of about when you're in bed and you're crying and you don't want to get up the next day ... it's about finding that inner strength and finding that part in yourself that's like, 'Yes, I can put my head up and I can continue.'"<ref name="Alisha"/> "[[Catch Me When I Fall (Ashlee Simpson song)|Catch Me When I Fall]]", the second song on the album dealing with the incident, is a piano-driven [[ballad]] which reflects weakness and sadness<ref name="CNN"/> and deals with a feeling of loneliness.<ref name="Alisha"/> The theme of accepting imperfections is reflected in a hidden message that is included in the CD case.<ref name="MuchMusic">[http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/transcripts/index.asp?artist=1043&tranID=574 MuchOnDemand transcript] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060320084945/http://www.muchmusic.com/tv/transcripts/index.asp?artist=1043&tranID=574 |date=2006-03-20 }}, November 1, 2005.</ref> Simpson has said of the album: "The record is dark meets light in a sense.  I feel everyone has a dark side.  This album is about finding the positive, finding the lighter side as well."<ref name="Press release"/> Simpson mentioned in an [[AOL Instant Messenger|AIM]] interview online that she chose the title ''I Am Me'' "because I've been through a lot of highs and lows this year, but no matter what happens to me I always stay true to who I am."<ref>[http://music.aol.com/artists/aim_celebrity_interview/ashlee_simpson AIM chat with Ashlee Simpson] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070219082705/http://music.aol.com/artists/aim_celebrity_interview/ashlee_simpson |date=2007-02-19 }}, November 2005.</ref> Simpson has also mentioned how the lyrics on the album reflect her different feelings at different times, the ups and downs she experienced: "We all get sad sometimes, and we all want to dance and party, too."<ref name="MuchMusic"/>
Like ''Autobiography'', many of the songs deal with relationships. "Coming Back For More" is, as Simpson calls it, a "fun, dancey song about an ex-boyfriend" and their relationship that won't come to an end.<ref name="Alisha"/> "I Am Me" is an energetic song in which Simpson responds with hurt and anger to her boyfriend being with another girl, and insists: "I am me, and I won't change for anyone". "In Another Life" is, in Simpson's words, "a cute romantic song about when you meet a guy and it's kind of like he knows everything about you before you really get to know him, and you feel comfortable with him right away. And he makes you feel beautiful."<ref name="Alisha"/> "Say Goodbye", the melancholy album closer, deals with the ending of a relationship. Other songs cover a variety of topics: "Boyfriend" is a response to rumors or accusations that she stole another girl's boyfriend (although rumors suggest it is about her alleged affair with [[Lindsay Lohan]]'s ex-boyfriend, [[Wilmer Valderrama]], Simpson has said it is not about "one person in particular", but is instead about a situation many girls can relate to<ref name="Lohan">Corey Moss, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060116032619/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1507602/20050815/story.jhtml "Ashlee Says New Single Isn't Directed At Lindsay Lohan"], MTV News, August 15, 2005.</ref>); "L.O.V.E." is about girls going out and having fun without needing any guys;<ref>Vineyard, "Ashlee Remembers SNL Incident But Forgets Boys On New LP", MTV News, August 8, 2005.</ref> "Eyes Wide Open" is a "spooky song" about Simpson's feeling that there was a ghost living in her house.<ref>''Total Request Live'' television interview, October 18, 2005.</ref>
In 2009, [[Miley Cyrus]] covered the international bonus track "Kicking and Screaming" for her ''[[The Time of Our Lives (EP)|The Time of Our Lives]]'' EP. Although Simpson co-wrote the song with Shanks and DioGuardi,<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r818809|pure_url=yes}}|title=I Am Me <nowiki>[</nowiki>Bonus Tracks<nowiki>]</nowiki>|work=[[Allmusic]]|publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]]|access-date=October 10, 2010}}</ref> Simpson was not credited for her writing contribution on Cyrus' EP.<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1660666|pure_url=yes}}|title=The Time of Our Lives [Walmart Exclusive<nowiki>]</nowiki> > Review |first=Heather |last=Phares |work=Allmusic |publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref>
==Promotion==
Initially, the first single was planned to be "L.O.V.E.", and the album was going to be titled ''In Another Life''. Soon after these things were announced, however, the first single was changed to "Boyfriend" and the album title to ''I Am Me''.<ref name="Lohan"/>
"Boyfriend" officially hit radio on September 6 and its airplay rapidly increased afterward; it debuted on the Hot 100 in September at number 71,<ref>Barry A. Jeckell, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61455/west-mines-more-no-1s-with-gold-digger "West Mines More No. 1s With 'Gold Digger'"], Billboard.com, September 15, 2005.</ref> rose greatly the next week to number 24,<ref>Barry A. Jeckell, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/61366/kanye-keeps-digging-no-1-single "Kanye Keeps Digging No. 1 Single"], Billboard.com, September 22, 2005.</ref> and eventually reached a Hot 100 peak of number 19,<ref name="Chart history">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=ashlee simpson|chart=all}} Artist chart history for Ashlee Simpson], Billboard.com.</ref> making it Simpson's second most successful song on the Hot 100 to date. The song's [[music video]] premiered on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Making the Video]]'' on September 12.<ref>[http://www.ashleesimpsonmusic.com/news/default.aspx?dt=09-01-2005 "Boyfriend" Video Premiere On MTV"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927042401/http://www.ashleesimpsonmusic.com/news/default.aspx?dt=09-01-2005 |date=2007-09-27 }}, AshleeSimpsonMusic.com, September 12, 2005; see also the [http://www.tv.com/making-the-video/boyfriend/episode/499625/summary.html TV.com page on this episode.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517052438/http://www.tv.com/making-the-video/boyfriend/episode/499625/summary.html |date=2008-05-17 }}</ref>
"L.O.V.E." was the second single, as Simpson first said in an MSN Internet chat on October 26. Prior to its release as a single, "L.O.V.E." debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] at number 78 in late October,<ref>Katie Hasty, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60904/kanyes-gold-begins-eighth-week-at-no-1 "Kanye's 'Gold' Begins Eighth Week At No. 1"], Billboard.com, October 27, 2005.</ref> and re-entered at number 76 in December; it subsequently reached its peak at number 22.<ref name="Chart history"/> The "L.O.V.E." video also spent 10 total days at number one on MTV's video countdown show ''[[Total Request Live]]''.<ref>[http://www.absolutetrl.net/records/recaparchive/2006_03.html TRL Archives - March 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060501090520/http://www.absolutetrl.net/records/recaparchive/2006_03.html |date=2006-05-01 }}, AbsoluteTRL.net.</ref> "Catch Me When I Fall" charted on the [[Pop 100|''Billboard'' Pop 100]] at number 93<ref name="Chart history"/> on the strength of its downloads, although it was not released as a single.
Simpson made several notable television appearances, including a return to ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on the night of October 8–9 (during which she performed "Catch Me When I Fall" and "Boyfriend"),<ref>Joal Ryan, {{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0%2C1%2C17553%2C00.html?newsrellink |title="Ashlee in Synch on "SNL"" |access-date=2017-04-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060218102526/http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0%2C1%2C17553%2C00.html?newsrellink |archive-date=February 18, 2006 }}, E! Online, October 11, 2005.</ref> to promote ''I Am Me'' and its singles. On the album's release date, October 18, Simpson performed "Boyfriend" and "Coming Back For More" on ''[[Good Morning America]]'',<ref>[http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/WomensConcert/story?id=1224690 "Ashlee Simpson's Big Comeback"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110202072542/http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/WomensConcert/story?id=1224690 |date=2011-02-02 }}, ABC News, October 18, 2005.</ref> and she appeared for an interview on ''[[Live with Regis and Kelly]]'', although she did not perform.<ref>[http://www.tv.com/live-with-regis-and-kelly/stevie-wonder-ashlee-simpson/episode/539412/summary.html Episode page for ''Live With Regis and Kelly'', October 18, 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517033113/http://www.tv.com/live-with-regis-and-kelly/stevie-wonder-ashlee-simpson/episode/539412/summary.html |date=May 17, 2008 }}, TV.com.</ref> Later in the day she appeared on ''Total Request Live'', where she performed "Boyfriend".<ref>[http://www.absolutetrl.net/records/recaparchive/2005_10.html TRL Archive - October 2005] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630044344/http://www.absolutetrl.net/records/recaparchive/2005_10.html |date=2006-06-30 }}, AbsoluteTRL.net.</ref> She also sang "Boyfriend" on the October 21 episode of ''[[The Tonight Show]]''<ref>[http://popdirt.com/article42803.html "Ashlee Simpson Performs On 'The Tonight Show'"]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Popdirt.com, October 23, 2005.</ref> and was on the October 22 episode of ''[[Larry King Live]]'' (guest-hosted by [[Ryan Seacrest]]) for an interview, along with her father/manager [[Joe Simpson (manager)|Joe]].<ref name="CNN"/> On the October 24 episode of ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' she sang "Boyfriend" and was interviewed;<ref>[http://www.tv.com/the-ellen-degeneres-show/barbra-streisand-ashlee-simpson/episode/545240/summary.html Episode summary for ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'', October 24, 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081109065809/http://www.tv.com/the-ellen-degeneres-show/barbra-streisand-ashlee-simpson/episode/545240/summary.html |date=November 9, 2008 }}, TV.com.</ref> on November 1 she was in Canada to promote the album and appeared on [[MuchMusic]]'s ''[[MuchOnDemand]]'' for an interview.<ref name="MuchMusic"/>
Simpson began promoting "L.O.V.E." with a performance on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' on November 21, followed by a performance of the song on the November 22 episode of ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]''.<ref>[http://popdirt.com/article43785.html "Ashlee Simpson Performs On 'The Late Show' & 'The View'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120205824/http://popdirt.com/article43785.html |date=2008-11-20 }}, Popdirt.com, November 25, 2005.</ref> On December 6, she sang "L.O.V.E." as part of a performance with [[Pretty Ricky]] at the [[Billboard Music Awards|''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref>Jonathan Cohen, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60442/stars-descend-on-vegas-for-bma-rehearsals "Stars Descend On Vegas For BMA Rehearsals"], Billboard.com, December 6, 2005.</ref> Simpson sang "L.O.V.E." on the first episode of ''[[CD USA]]'', which aired on January 21, 2006, and was also interviewed on the show.
Simpson went to the UK to promote ''I Am Me'' and "Boyfriend" in late January 2006; on February 5 she performed "Boyfriend" on ''[[Top of the Pops Reloaded]]''.<ref>[http://popdirt.com/article45537.html "Ashlee Simpson Performs On 'Top Of The Pops'"]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, Popdirt.com, February 6, 2006.</ref> Later in February, in the U.S., Simpson was awarded with a "Bounce Back Award" at the ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]'' Awards, which aired on February 25,<ref>[http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/144862004.htm "Madonna Gets Lifetime Award"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070322034045/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/entertainment/144862004.htm |date=2007-03-22 }}, FemaleFirst.co.uk, February 27, 2006.</ref> and performed "L.O.V.E." on the occasion. Simpson hosted the [[MTV Australia Video Music Awards]] on April 12, 2006, and performed both "Boyfriend" and "L.O.V.E."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0%2C10221%2C18792228-5001964%2C00.html |title=Sister act |access-date=2017-04-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060418092827/http://entertainment.news.com.au/story/0%2C10221%2C18792228-5001964%2C00.html |archive-date=April 18, 2006 }}, News.com.au, April 12, 2006.</ref>
Simpson performed the songs "Boyfriend", "L.O.V.E." and "I Am Me" for [[Sessions@AOL]] on the Internet prior to the album's release.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120629070237/http://popdirt.com/article42390.html "Ashlee Simpson Performs On Sessions@AOL"], Popdirt.com, October 9, 2005. See also the [http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?tab=songvid&artistid=630593&albumid=0 AOL Music page for video and audio of Simpson's music] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060404205525/http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?tab=songvid&artistid=630593&albumid=0 |date=2006-04-04 }} for video clips of the performances.</ref> The album was available for listening on MTV.com's "The Leak" in the week prior to its release, beginning October 11.  [[Wal-Mart]] released an exclusive package which includes the ''I Am Me'' CD and a DVD.
According to a rumor initially reported in March 2006, there would be a re-release of ''I Am Me'' with at least one new song.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120629070234/http://popdirt.com/article46764.html "Ashlee Simpson To Become Gwen Stefani II"], Popdirt.com, March 22, 2006.</ref> It was subsequently stated in an article in the June/July 2006 issue of ''[[Teen People]]'' that there would be a re-release of the album with the new song "Invisible";<ref>Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna, "Teen People's Hottest 25 Stars Under Twenty-Five: Hot Survivor", ''Teen People'', June/July 2006, page 143.</ref> Simpson also said this in interviews, but as of January 2007, no release date for the re-release had been announced and therefore the re-release plans were presumably dropped. Simpson filmed the music video for "Invisible" in May, and it premiered on June 19.
===Touring===
To promote the album and single, Simpson began touring on September 21 in [[Portland, Oregon]],<ref>[http://top40.about.com/od/concerts/a/asimpsonconcert.htm List of Ashlee Simpson tour dates, September–December 2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060227103938/http://top40.about.com/od/concerts/a/asimpsonconcert.htm |date=2006-02-27 }}, top40.about.com.</ref> with another stage of the tour starting on November 9 in [[Portland, Maine]] with opening act [[October Fall]].<ref>Gil Kaufman, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060114135416/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1511900/20051020/story.jhtml "Ashlee Simpson Hits The Road"], MTV.com, October 20, 2005.</ref> During 2006 she performed on several dates in the spring;<ref>Christina Fuoco, [http://www.livedaily.com/news/Ashlee_Simpson_warms_up_for_summer_trek-9732.html?t=1 "Ashlee Simpson Warms Up for Summer Trek"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117090102/http://www.livedaily.com/news/Ashlee_Simpson_warms_up_for_summer_trek-9732.html?t=1 |date=2006-11-17 }}, liveDaily.com, March 10, 2006.</ref> in early May she performed at [[SunFest]] in [[West Palm Beach, Florida]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120629070311/http://news.sawf.org/Entertainment/11763.aspx "Remodeled Ashlee Simpson Performs at SunFest, Florida"], Sawf.org, May 7, 2006.</ref> Subsequently, she embarked on a major summer tour, the L.O.V.E. Tour (with "L.O.V.E." being expanded to stand for "Love Others Value Everyday"), which began on June 5 in [[Santa Barbara, California]] and at its outset was scheduled to run for 32 shows,<!--considering cancellations I don't think that's what the actual number turned out to be--> concluding on July 29 in [[Clarkston, Michigan]]. [[Ashley Parker Angel]] was an opening act for Simpson;<ref>Geffen press release, [http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-17-2006/0004363948&EDATE= "Ashlee Simpson Sets Summer 2006 Tour"], PRNewswire.com, May 17, 2006.</ref> [[The Veronicas]] also opened on the first few shows of the tour, but had to cancel their participation in the tour due to a problem with the vocal cords of one of the singers, Lisa Origliasso.<ref>Sire Records press release, [http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=135464 "The Veronicas' North American Summer Tour Cancelled"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628111344/http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=135464 |date=2006-06-28 }}, Marketwire.com, June 13, 2006.</ref> During the concerts of this tour, Simpson had a number of costume changes, including a "risque" outfit for "[[La La (Ashlee Simpson song)|La La]]", and performed a cover of the [[Eurythmics]] song "[[Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (song)|Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)]]".<ref>''E! News'', "Backstage Exclusive" interview of Simpson by Ryan Seacrest, aired June 8, 2006.</ref> She also performed a cover of "[[Why Don't You Do Right?]]".<ref>Jay Lustig, [http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/115354627866450.xml&coll=1 "Ashlee throws everything but the sync into high-energy show"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214133139/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/115354627866450.xml&coll=1 |date=2007-12-14 }}, ''The Star-Ledger'', July 22, 2006.</ref>
==Critical reception==
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=allmusic/>
|rev2 = ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''
|rev2score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/bb/reviews/album_article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001305945 |title=Archived copy |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=2005-12-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051227230615/http://www.billboard.com/bb/reviews/album_article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001305945 |archive-date=2005-12-27 }}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]''
|rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=Blender/>
|rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev4score = (C−)<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/10/17/i-am-me/|title=I Am Me Review|last=Browne|first=David|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=2005-10-21|access-date=2012-05-01|archive-date=2009-04-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425141649/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1117143,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
|rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite news| url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,1700583,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Ashlee Simpson, I Am Me | first=Caroline | last=Sullivan | date=February 3, 2006 | access-date=May 4, 2010}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Los Angeles Times]]''
|rev6score = {{Rating|1.5|4}}<ref>16 Oct 2005</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[The New York Times]]''
|rev7score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/24/arts/music/24choi.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all|title=New CD's (October 24, 2005)|last=Sanneh|first=Kelefa|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=2005-10-24|access-date=2012-05-01}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
|rev8score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>Mar 2006, p.109</ref>
|rev9 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev9score = {{Rating|1.5|5}}<ref name=RSReview>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ashleesimpson/albums/album/7688283/review/7702860/i_am_me|title=Ashlee Simpson: I Am Me : Music Reviews|last=Eliscu|first=Jenny|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=2005-10-20|access-date=2012-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002073645/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ashleesimpson/albums/album/7688283/review/7702860/i_am_me|archive-date=2007-10-02|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|rev10 = [[Slant Magazine]]
|rev10score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}<ref>[http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=679 Ashlee Simpson ''I Am Me''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224093012/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=679 |date=2008-12-24 }} review, [[Slant Magazine]]</ref>
}}<!-- Automatically generated by DASHBot-->
Initial critical response to ''I Am Me'' was mixed to negative. At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a [[Standard score|normalized]] rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an [[weighted mean|average]] score of 43, based on 13 reviews.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/i-am-me| title=Ashlee Simpson:I Am Me (2005): Reviews | work=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=CNET Networks, Inc | access-date=2009-03-19 }}</ref>
A BBC review of the album was positive, calling it "confident yet searching" and saying that it "flirts with 80s production throughout and produces a more mature, tighter sound than some of her peers."<ref name=BBC/> ''Stylus'' also gave it a favorable review; while saying that it "isn't as consistently strong a record as ''Autobiography''", it calls ''I Am Me'' "more-than-respectable" and "a very good record".<ref name="Stylus"/> Another review called it "a solid pop/rock album" with strong songwriting that "should go far to re-establish Ashlee Simpson as a legitimate artist", giving it three-and-a-half stars (out of five).<ref>Bill Lamb, [http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/iammesimpson.htm ''I Am Me'' review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322225213/http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/iammesimpson.htm |date=2006-03-22 }}, top40.about.com.</ref>
''[[Rolling Stone]]'' gave it a negative review, rating it slightly lower than it had previously rated ''Autobiography'': ''I Am Me'' received one-and-a-half stars, while ''Autobiography'' received two (out of five). The ''Rolling Stone'' review called the album  "a collection of eleven soulless tunes that fail to even qualify as guilty pleasures" and said that "in venturing to offer something for everyone, Simpson offers nothing for anyone."<ref name=RSReview/> [[Allmusic]] also gave the album a negative assessment (and a rating of two stars out of five), saying that "unlike ''Autobiography'', this simply is no rock & roll fun — the songs aren't catchy, the attitude is dour, the productions are cold and distant, all highlighting the deficiencies in Ashlee Simpson as a singer, while burying the likeable persona she had on both her debut and [[The Ashlee Simpson Show|her MTV show]]."<ref name=allmusic>Stephen Thomas Erlewine, [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r801771|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review].</ref> ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' said that, in comparison to ''Autobiography'', "the songs are soggier, the sentiments more banal", and calls ''I Am Me'' a "[[sophomore slump]]", giving it two out of five stars.<ref name=Blender>Dennis Lim, "Sync or Swim", ''Blender'', December 2005, page 154.</ref>
Another review called the album "solid but unspectacular", crediting Simpson with going "in directions that [[Avril Lavigne]] has never thought of" but wishing that Simpson displayed more "obnoxious grit" on the album.<ref name="Usinger"/>
==Commercial performance==
''I Am Me'' debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, as did its predecessor, ''Autobiography''; however, ''I Am Me'' did not achieve the same level of success as ''Autobiography''. Whereas Simpson's first album sold 398,000 copies its first week of release in the U.S., ''I Am Me'' sold only about 220,000, according to ''Billboard'';<ref>Margo Whitmire, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60926/simpson-strikes-back-ashlee-scores-2nd-no-1 "Simpson Strikes Back: Ashlee Scores 2nd No. 1"], Billboard.com, October 26, 2005.</ref> sales for the album declined 67% in its second week, when it sold about 73,000 copies and fell to number six on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>Chris Harris, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071001010450/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1512779/20051102/destinys_child.jhtml?headlines=true "Destiny's Child's ''#1<nowiki>'</nowiki>s'' Hits — You Guessed It — #1"], MTV News, November 11, 2005.</ref> In its third week, the album sold about 54,000 copies, a sales drop of 25%, and it fell on the chart to number ten.<ref>Margo Whitmire, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/60749/now-20-cruises-to-no-1-debut "'NOW 20' Cruises To No. 1 Debut"], Billboard.com, November 9, 2005.</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine grouped it among the numerous "heavily anticipated albums" of the season whose sales had "fizzled", such as [[Alicia Keys]]' ''[[Unplugged (Alicia Keys album)|Unplugged]]'' and [[Rod Stewart]]'s ''[[Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook 4]]'', which had been released the same week as ''I Am Me''.<ref>Steve Knopper, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071014200447/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ashleesimpson/articles/story/8829100/kanye_couldnt_save_fall "Kanye Couldn't Save Fall"]. ''Rolling Stone'', November 15, 2005.</ref> As of April 2008, ''I Am Me'' has sold 944,000 copies in the U.S., according to [[Nielsen SoundScan]].<ref name=LATimes/>
In Australia, ''I Am Me'' debuted at number 35 without a single being lifted from it before its release. "Boyfriend" was released the week after ''I Am Me'' was released. However, ''I Am Me'' failed to chart again after its debut and dropped out completely.
In the United Kingdom, in the absence of any promotion, ''I Am Me'' debuted at #160, selling just 1,392 copies in its first week. However, in late January 2006, Simpson went to the UK to promote "Boyfriend", several months later than in the U.S.; the single was released in the UK on 30 January 2006, and hit #12 in its first week;<ref>Paul Sexton, [http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/59784/monkeys-big-remain-atop-uk-charts "Monkeys, B.I.G. Remain Atop U.K. Charts"], Billboard.com, February 6, 2006.</ref> also, the album climbed to #50 in the UK in mid-February 2006.
==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_writing = [[Ashlee Simpson]], [[Kara DioGuardi]] and [[John Shanks]]
| total_length = 39:36
| title1 = [[Boyfriend (Ashlee Simpson song)|Boyfriend]]
| length1 = 2:59
| title2 = In Another Life
| length2 = 3:48
| title3 = Beautifully Broken
| length3 = 3:16
| title4 = [[L.O.V.E. (Ashlee Simpson song)|L.O.V.E.]]
| length4 = 2:33
| title5 = Coming Back for More
| length5 = 3:29
| title6 = Dancing Alone
| length6 = 3:56
| title7 = Burnin Up
| length7 = 3:54
| title8 = Catch Me When I Fall
| length8 = 4:00
| title9 = I Am Me
| length9 = 3:16
| title10 = Eyes Wide Open
| length10 = 4:10
| title11 = Say Goodbye
| length11 = 4:15
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = International bonus track
| total_length = 42:34
| title12 = Kicking and Screaming
| length12 = 2:58
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = UK bonus track
| total_length = 45:33
| title13 = Fall in Love with Me
| length13 = 2:59
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japanese bonus tracks
| total_length = 52:06
| title14 = Get Nasty
| length14 = 3:16
| title15 = Boyfriend
| note15 = video [[Enhanced CD|enhanced]]
| length15 = 3:17
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Taiwan limited edition bonus [[Video CD|VCD]]
| total_length = 5:57
| title1 = Boyfriend
| note1 = music video
| length1 = 3:17
| title2 = L.O.V.E.
| note2 = music video
| length2 = 2:40
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = DVD version
| total_length =
| title1 = [[Walmart]] Exclusive
| note1 = in-store exclusive performance ("Nothing New" & "[[Pieces of Me (Ashlee Simpson song)|Pieces of Me]]") followed by question & answer session
| title2 = Autobiography
| note2 = live) (from AOL Music Live!
| title3 = [[La La (Ashlee Simpson song)|La La]]
| note3 = live) (from AOL Music Live!
| title4 = [[Shadow (Ashlee Simpson song)|Shadow]]
| note4 = music video
| title5 = Pieces of Me
| note5 = music video
}}
==Personnel==
Adapted from the ''I Am Me'' liner notes.<ref name="Liner notes">''I Am Me'' liner notes.</ref>
===Musicians===
{{div col}}
* [[Ashlee Simpson]] – vocals, background vocals (4, 7)
* [[John Shanks]] – guitars (all tracks), bass (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14), keyboards (1, 2, 4–14), piano (3), background vocals (2, 3, 7, 9 and 11)
* [[Kara DioGuardi]] – background vocals (4 and 7)
* Jeff Rothschild – drums (all tracks)
* Dan Chase – additional keyboards (1, 2, 5, 7, 12, 13 and 14)
* [[Patrick Warren]] – keyboards (3 and 8)
* André Bowman – bass, keyboards (4)
* [[Mike Elizondo]] – bass (4, 5 and 8)
* Paul Bushnell – bass (11)
{{div col end}}
===Production===
{{div col}}
*John Shanks – producer, mixing
* [[Jordan Schur]] – executive producer, A&R
* Joe Simpson – executive producer
*Jeff Rothschild – mixing, engineering
* [[Ted Jensen]] – mastering
* James White – photography
* Bubbles – design
* Jessica Paster – stylist
* [[Ken Paves]] – hair
* AYAKO – make-up
{{div col end}}
==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2005)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]])<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashlee+Simpson&titel=I+Am+Me&cat=a |title=Ashlee Simpson - I Am Me |publisher=australian-charts.com |access-date=2012-01-12}}</ref>
| 35
|-
!scope="row"|Austrian Albums ([[Ö3 Austria Top 40|Ö3 Austria]])<ref>{{cite web|author=Steffen Hung |url=http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Ashlee+Simpson&titel=I+Am+Me&cat=a |title=Ashlee Simpson - I Am Me |publisher=austriancharts.at |access-date=2012-01-12}}</ref>
| 60
|-
!scope="row"|[[Canadian Albums Chart|Canadian Albums]] (''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'')<ref name="Billboard" />
| 4
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/338181/rank/album/|title=アシュリー・シンプソンのランキング情報 |publisher=[[Oricon]]|access-date=August 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816071912/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/338181/rank/album/|url-status=live|archive-date=August 16, 2023}}</ref>
| 13
|-
{{album chart|Scotland|41|date=20060212||rowheader=true|accessdate=August 01, 2020}}
|-
! scope="row"|Taiwanese Albums ([[G-Music|Five Music]])<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.5music.com.tw/billboard.asp|title=Taiwan 7/2006 |language=Chinese |publisher=Five-Music |accessdate=August 5, 2024 }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 6
|-
{{album chart|UK2|50|date=20060212||rowheader=true|accessdate=August 16, 2023}}
|-
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280066/ashlee-simpson/chart?f=305 |title=Ashlee simpson Billboard Chart |magazine=Billboard |access-date=May 22, 2008}}</ref>
| 1
|}
{{col-2}}
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2005)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 4, 2021}}</ref>
| 171
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2006)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2006/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 6, 2021}}</ref>
| 126
|}
{{col-end}}
==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|title=I Am Me|artist=Ashlee Simpson|relyear=2012|region=Canada|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=South Korea ([[Gaon Music Chart|GAON]])|type=album|artist=Ashlee Simpson|title=I Am Me|access-date=25 July 2012|relyear=2005|nocert=yes|salesamount=2,063|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url =http://fanofmusic.free.fr/Site-Charts-KoreaDatabaseUK.htm|title=Best Selling Foreign Album in South Korea|publisher=GAON|access-date=2020-10-10}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|title=I Am Me|artist=Ashlee Simpson|relyear=2012|region=United States|award=Platinum|access-date=26 February 2014}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | nosales=true}}
==Release history==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release dates and formats for ''I Am Me''
|-
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format
! scope="col"| Label
! scope="col"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! scope="row"| Canada
| rowspan="2"| October 18, 2005
| rowspan="7"| [[Compact disc|CD]]
| [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.ca/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/dp/B000B66PD4 |title = Amazon.ca}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/dp/B000B66PD4 |title = Amazon.com| website=Amazon |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127020956/https://www.amazon.com/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/dp/B000B66PD4|archivedate=November 27, 2006}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Japan
| October 19, 2005
| rowspan="5"| Universal
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICF-9016?s_ssid=e43583606955a1eaba |title = CDJapan : I am me [Limited Release] Ashlee Simpson CD Album| website=CDJapan }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Australia
| October 30, 2005
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fishpond.com/Music/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/0602498865903 |title = I Am Me, Ashlee Simpson - Shop Online for Music in the United States}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| United Kingdom
| October 31, 2005
| <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/dp/B000BM7U6Y | title=I Am Me | website=Amazon UK }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Germany
| April 21, 2006
| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.de/I-Am-Me-Ashlee-Simpson/dp/B000CCU7U4 |title = I am Me - Simpson, Ashlee: Amazon.de: Musik-CDs & Vinyl| website=Amazon Germany }}</ref>
|-
! scope="row"| Japan
| September 27, 2006
| <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICO-9706?s_ssid=e3509062aa65c6605c | title=I Am Me &#91;Limited Release&#93; Ashlee Simpson CD Album | website=CDJapan }}</ref>
|}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
<!-- Remember, WP:NOT a link farm. Official online team is already linked from official site -->
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040407094046/http://www.ashleesimpsonmusic.com/ Ashlee Simpson's official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080724000106/http://www.geffen.com/ashleesimpson/ Ashlee Simpson] at [[Geffen Records]]
* {{Metacritic album}}
{{Ashlee Simpson}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:2005 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by John Shanks]]
[[Category:Ashlee Simpson albums]]
[[Category:Geffen Records albums]]