“This Is Me” released from The Greatest Showman

This Is Me Keala Settle & the Greatest Showman Ensemble

Writer(s): Benj Pasek, Justin Paul (see lyrics here) Released: October 26, 2017 First Charted: January 13, 2018 Peak: 58 BB, 40 A40, 3 UK, 74 CN, 10 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, 3.0 UK, 8.11 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 624.20 video, 864.00 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The Greatest Showman was a musical biopic about P.T. Barnum, who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus. The 2017 movie starred Hugh Jackman as Barnum and included Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya in the cast. The story follows Barnum as a young man who meets his future wife, Charity (Williams), and opens a wax museum after losing his job as a shipping clerk. At his daughters’ suggestions, he adds freak performers, including a bearded lady and a dwarf, to the show. There was a real-life bearded lady named Annie Jones Elliot who worked with Barnum in his “Greatest Show on Earth” and served as a spokesperson for his “Freaks” show. She was “known for her musical talents and gracious etiquette.” SF In the movie, she is portrayed by Keala Settle and serves as the center of the song “This Is Me.” Director Michael Gracey explained in an interview that “we knew that it was going to be the anthem of the film.” YT The song is written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also wrote music for the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen and the Oscar-winning film La La Land. “This Is Me” is set when Barnum is embarrassed by the troupe and bars them from an after party. Led by the bearded lady, they storm the party anyway, refusing to be ashamed of who they are. Pasek said the song was inspired by “people who had lived in the shadows their whole lives and…wanted to feel love and acceptance, and…they make a statement – not only to him, but to themselves.” SF It serves a powerful message about not being afraid to be who you are and to celebrate your individuality. A phenomenal rehearsal video shows Settle singing the song with the ensemble in rehearsal. She had to be coaxed out from behind her music stand. At one point, she is nearly in tears and Hugh Jackman takes her hand to encourage her. By the end, the entire room is on its feet and belting the song out together. The song was released as the first official single from the soundtrack. It won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song as well as a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media. The song was also recorded by Kesha for The Greatest Showman: Reimagined, which also featured performances by Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Zac Brown Band, Sara Bareilles, and others. Resources: SF Songfacts.com WK Wikipedia YT YouTube.com (2018). “The Greatest Showman Featurette – This Is Me with Keala Settle” Related Links: First posted 1/31/2025.