Love Me (The Way I Am)
Lucky Dube · Soul Taker [2002]
Who' s bed am I gonna sleep in tonight?
You told the other ones
I was your brother's child
You told the ones
I was your sister's child
Everytime they come to the house
I got to change my name
Everytime they come to the house
I got to change my identity
Whose child am I gonna be tonight?
As he walked away with tears in his eyes
I felt every pain that he felt
I cried every tear that he cried
Mama why?......
Chorus:
I wish you could love me the way I am
Whose dogs are gonna be my friends tonight?
Whose bin am I gonna eat out of tonight?
The welfare people when they come
To the house you told me to say nothing
Every time they wanna take me away
You say everything is alright
Whos bins am I gonna eat out of tonight?
As he walked away with tears in his eyes
I felt every pain that he felt
I cried every tear that he cried
Mama why?.......
Chorus:
I wish you could love me the way I am
Love Me (The Way I Am)
Lucky Dube's 'Love Me (The Way I Am)' stands as a defining track on his 2002 album *Soul Taker*, exemplifying the vibrant energy of South African house music. Released during a period of significant growth for the genre, the recording blends infectious rhythms with Dube's signature vocal delivery, creating an anthem that celebrates authenticity and self-acceptance. The song reflects the broader cultural movement of the early 2000s, where artists like Dube helped fuse traditional township sounds with modern electronic beats. Its enduring popularity stems from its universal message and its ability to unite audiences through dance and shared emotion, cementing its place in the catalogue of influential house records from the region.