The song "When You Are Who You Are" by Gil Scott-Heron expresses the idea of embracing one's true self and not needing to impress others. The lyrics suggest that the person being addressed in the song constantly goes out of their way to impress the singer, but the singer reassures them that there is no need for that. The singer finds beauty in the person's genuine qualities and is always impressed when they genuinely smile. The lyrics imply that the person tends to hide behind different personas, wearing disguises and never expressing their true feelings. The singer encourages them to be authentic and reveals that they find the person truly beautiful when they embrace who they truly are. The song also touches on the theme of societal pressure to conform and the struggle of people to be themselves. It suggests that many people try to be someone they are not, running in circles and ending up confused. The singer acknowledges that this is a common problem, as people often do not want to be themselves. Overall, "When You Are Who You Are" encourages self-acceptance and authenticity in a world that often pressures individuals to conform and present themselves in certain ways. The song urges the listener to embrace their true selves and find beauty in their genuine qualities.
