Be Yourself (Audioslave song)

"Be Yourself" is the first single from the second album of the American rock band Audioslave, Out of Exile. The song was released in 2005 and topped the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for seven weeks and the Modern Rock Tracks chart for four weeks in 2005.

"Be Yourself"
Single by Audioslave
from the album Out of Exile
B-side	"Super Stupid" (originally performed by Funkadelic)
Released	February 2, 2005 (2005-02-02)
Recorded	2004
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	4:39
Label	Interscope
Songwriter(s)	Brad Wilk Chris Cornell Tim Commerford Tom Morello
Producer(s)	Rick Rubin
Audioslave singles chronology
"What You Are" (2004) "Be Yourself" (2005) "Your Time Has Come" (2005)
"Be Yourself" on YouTube
Audio sample
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Song meaning

The lyrics were inspired by events from the frontman's, Chris Cornell's, own life. "The 'be yourself' part really just came from a lot of things that I've gone through in my life and a lot of different changes and all the different tragedies and all the horrendously stupid mistakes I've made in my personal life, and wanting to be able to make up for those things and wanting to be able to not be ashamed, all that stuff," he explained. "You know, that's the one thing about getting older that's better, and this song kinda says it so simply, to a degree that 10 years ago I would've been embarrassed to put it in a song 'cause it is so simple. But there it is."^[2]

Music video

The music video was filmed in an old hotel in downtown Los Angeles and directed by music video veteran Francis Lawrence. It largely consists of footage of the band performing the song in a dark, isolated room with large windows. During the last chorus, lights in the background flash colors of red. Cornell has said that the band modeled the concept after The Beatles' film Let It Be. He said: "If you watch Let It Be, the look of the film makes the band look like it's an important happening. I just wanted to look important, like things looked when I was a child."^[3]

Track listing

1. "Be Yourself" – 4:38
2. "Like a Stone" (live version)
3. "Show Me How to Live" (remix by T-Ray) – 4:48
4. "Be Yourself" (video) – 4:48

Imported version

1. "Be Yourself" – 4:38
2. "Super Stupid" (Funkadelic cover) – 3:24
3. "Show Me How to Live" (remix by T-Ray) – 4:48
4. "Be Yourself" (video) – 4:48

Vinyl

A. "Be Yourself" – 4:38
B. "Super Stupid" (Funkadelic cover) – 3:24

Charts

Chart (2005-2006)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[4]	34
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[5]	73
Canada Rock Top 30 (Radio & Records)[6]	1
France (SNEP)[7]	74
Germany (GfK)[8]	87
Ireland (IRMA)[9]	48
Italy (FIMI)[10]	40
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11]	91
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]	38
Scotland (OCC)[13]	34
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[14]	48
UK Singles (OCC)[15]	40
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[16]	4
US Billboard Hot 100[17]	32
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[18]	9
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[19]	1
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[20]	1

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[21]	Platinum	60,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[22]	Platinum	30,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.