The transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau placed a higher belief in other forms of knowledge and valued nonconformity. They emphasized the individual and his/her relationship with nature. This is also true of Gavin DeGraw who in his song, “I Don’t Want To Be” stresses the importance of nonconformity and being an individual.
Overall, his song encourages today’s youth not to feel pressured to have to conform to others thoughts and ideas, but rather, be their own person. For example, he states, “I don’t need to be anything other than a prison guard’s son/ I don’t need to be anything other than a specialist’s son” in which he tells the world that he doesn’t need to follow in his parents’ professions, but just know who his parents are. Gavin also mentions in his hit “All I have to do is think of me and I have peace of mind.” He gets peace through thinking and internal meditation. Here, he tries to explain what it means to be an individual and how to act on moral and individual decisions. Be who you are rather than follow your peers. Embrace your own sense of identity.
He goes on to say, “I don’t want to be anything other than me” which is another way he focuses upon individuality and what is best for him. He reveals that he has learned what it takes to be “me.” He will not do what others tell him to do or what others desire for him. It is his time to do what he wants. He expresses the desire to only be himself.
Also, he wants the world to know that they don’t have to go through an identity crisis and not be who they truly are supposed to be, “I’m surrounded by liars everywhere I turn/ I’m surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn/ Am I the only one who noticed?” DeGraw wants the world to be like him (non-conforming) and not confused with what beliefs society desires to impose upon them. He is a modern day transcendentalist.
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