You Are What You Is (Live At Mudd Club, NYC, May 8, 1980)

Song Meaning

This track opens with a blunt, almost confrontational question: "Do you know what you are?" The immediate answer, "You are what you is," sets a tone of unvarnished self-acceptance, a defiant embrace of one's inherent nature. It’s a direct challenge to pretense, suggesting that any attempt to be something you’re not is futile, like expecting a cow to produce ham. The lyrics insist on recognizing your own reality, whatever that may be, as the fundamental truth. The verses paint vivid portraits of individuals trying to shed their origins for perceived social gain. One man, from a "middle class family," adopts a blues persona he thinks is "manly," then mimics a minstrel show character and claims soul food tastes like "candy." Another, of "Negro Persuasion," actively tries to "become a caucasian," abandoning cultural touchstones like dashikis for "Jordache Jeans" and adopting leisure activities like golf. These are not subtle shifts; they are radical attempts to erase identity. The core of the song’s critique lies in this forced assimilation and the inherent absurdity it creates. The contrast between the adopted affectations and the original self is stark. The lyrics highlight the performative nature of these transformations, from the Kingfish impersonation to the rejection of traditional foods and attire. It’s a commentary on the pressure to conform and the often-ridiculous lengths people go to fit a mold that isn't theirs. Ultimately, the repeated refrain "You are what you is" functions as both a statement of fact and a call to arms. It’s a powerful assertion against the societal pressures to change who you are to be accepted or deemed successful. The song argues that authenticity, however imperfect or unglamorous, is the only genuine state of being. The outro, with its insistent "No more," hammers home the finality of this rejection of false identities.