I Don't Know My Name

Album: Perfectly Imperfect (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 12-year-old Grace VanderWaal wowed audiences and judges with her performance of this poignant ballad on the June 7, 2016 episode of America's Got Talent. The New York pre-teen strummed an ukulele as she sung the tune. She told Radio.com: "I started playing ukulele about two years ago, around when I was ten. A lot of people tell me I should play guitar, and how ukulele is not really an instrument— kind of a toy. I really beg to differ because I think you can really get good on it. Maybe one day I'll play guitar, but think ukulele will always be my main instrument because I love it."
  • "I Don't Know My Name" is an original song, in which Grace explores the theme of her identity. She told Rolling Stone: "It's about how I've gone through so many different phases and styles and friendships, and it's about how now, I think that this is who I want to be and this is what I want my life path to be."

Comments: 18

  • Ace From The Other Side from Zumbrota, MnThis song helped me get through all the transphobia in my life
  • Transgenderman172009 from OhioI am Transgender and Life has been hard for me. I know that this song is Based on her life but to me this song means That I couldn't identify myself as a girl and now I can As a boy. She's just so good at singing and When I heard this the first time I literally started crying. She's amazing.
  • Chloe From America from Sandy, OregonI love how Grace got the inspiration for her song based on her life. Grace inspired me to write a couple of my own songs based on my own life.
  • Alex from Sesame StreetNo matter what grace identifies as, i will always be a huge supporter and so should everyone, i also looooooooooooooove her music omg
  • Axel from QuebecI love that song and it’s actually my first concert song since coming out as trans genderfluid. I use the last verse as a statement of who I am and I wanna scream it to the world. I NOW KNOW MY NAME… and it’s Axel.
  • Alyx from The ClosetWas pretty sure she was of the Lgbtqia+ community at first but I'm not entirely sure yet I still love the song tho
  • Casper from AmericaThis song makes me happy because it reminds me of how I came out as nonbinary and changed my name and started using they/them pronouns
  • Isabelle from Nailsea Bristol Remember when you sings this song from the American got Talent
  • Brielle Agyekum from Accra, GhanaI love grace because we are like the same person, people bring me down all the time, but when i was six i heard i don't know my name and now i am 11 and do not care about what people think it is what i think that matters. I sing my heart out even if it is only for my family because one day i will get there. I now know my name and it is Brielle and i am proud of it.
  • You from Nowhere Anyone's Been BeforeHer voice is so unique I just love to listen to her music
  • Anon from In A Galaxy, Far, Far AwayI get LGBTQIA+ vibes from this song. It’s really good
  • Milo Park from Cambridge Hi i like this song its really amazing
  • Hey from A VentTbh I agree that she may be part of LGBTQ+ I mean, I think maybe the message was that she came out of da closet when her sisters friend entered her life? Meh idk part from that I don’t know any other meaning this song could potentially hold.
  • Maya from Canada Torontoi LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE your music! its just so awsoeme can't stop lisining to it:)
  • Ella from IdkI love music you grace!!
  • Sele Na from PhilippinesHer songs are meaningful. People just doesnt understand what does it means
  • Random Person from From Nowhereikr, I was getting LGBTQIA+ vibes
  • E from My Location TfI can’t be the only one who thought Grace might be part of the LGBTQ+ community?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."