I Was Here Lyrics
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that meant something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
[Chorus]
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
[Verse 2]
I wanna say I lived each day until I die
And know that I meant something in somebody's life
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see
[Chorus]
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here
[Chorus]
I was here
I lived, I loved
I was here
I did, I've done everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here
[Outro]
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na)
I lived (I lived), I loved
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na)
I was here
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na)
I did (I did), I've done
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na)
I was here
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na)
I lived (I lived), I loved (I loved)
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na)
I was here (Oh)
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na)
I did, I've done
(Na-na-na-na, na-na-na)
I was here
About
In “I Was Here”, Beyonce wants to be remembered long after she’s gone. She wants everyone to know what she did and what she accomplished as an artist and as a person. It was written by Diane Warren and is the only song on the record that was not co-written by Beyoncé. The development of “I Was Here” was motivated by the 9/11 attacks.
In July, 2012, Beyoncé left a message for her fans on her official website stating “Leave Your Footprints on 19 August 2012”, the opening lyrics to the song. A few days later, it was revealed that Beyoncé would be releasing a music video for the song as part of a global launch of World Humanitarian Day, held by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA):
In 2016, “I Was Here” was prominently featured in the Susan Sarandon film, The Meddler.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
Diane Warren, who wrote the song:
That’s one of the best experiences ever. I wrote it on my guitar, ’cause a friend of mine was three hours late. I had my acoustic guitar there. I started with the line, ‘I want to leave my footprints on the sands of time,’ and the song kind of just started writing itself. And I thought, this could be a really great song for Beyoncé. And it could also be a song for Leona Lewis or Susan Boyle, both Simon Cowell’s artists. So I did a little acoustic guitar version of it. and I sent it to Simon.
–via RollingStone (Feb. 2021)
On August 8, 2022, “I Was Here” was certified gold by the RIAA.
- 1.1+1
- 2.I Care
- 3.I Miss You
- 5.Party
- 7.Start Over
- 8.Love on Top
- 9.Countdown
- 10.End of Time
- 11.I Was Here
- 13.Lay Up Under Me
- 14.Schoolin’ Life
- 15.Dance for You