I Still Believe In Me - Song of the Month

 

"I Still Believe In Me" is one of the most iconic songs from the TV Series.  Written by Gary Portnoy and Sue Sheridan in 1982 for the TV Series, it was nominated for an Emmy Award for best original song.

Originally appearing in the Season One episode "Passing Grade" as a duet by Debbie Allen and Erica Gimpel. Then sung again as a solo by Erica in her final episode "Break Dance".

The song has been performed live at most of the cast's original and reunion concerts, originally as part of the ballad medley and then in full at the Reunion shows sung as a solo by Erica.

Ay the Fame Reunion in 2009 in Italy, Erica wasn't there and so Cynthia Gibb performed it. When Erica couldn't attend the U.K 2019 Reunion she performed a version specifically for the show, shown on the big screen with Lee Curreri playing along live.

In 2022 at the Entertainment Tonight Fame Reunion Debbie and Erica performed part of the song with Valerie Landsburg on backing vocals. 

Originally the Debbie and Erica duet was released on the 1982 Kids From Fame Album on vinyl, it later appeared on CD when the album was reissued on that format in 2000. The song was also used as the B Side on the cast first single release "Hi Fidelity".

The Medley version appeared on the Kids From Fame Live album in 1983 and the studio duet featured on the 2003 CD "Ultimate Fame".  Erica's solo live performance from 2019 appeared on the Fame Live in Liverpool CD released in 2022.

Performances:

Downloads:

Download Episode Duet MP3 

Download Erica's Episode solo MP3

Download Karaoke MP3 

"I thought I had it this time,
I thought the dream would be mine.
Hoping to fly I fall.
Oh how I wish I just didn't care at all.
Because when you don't care you don't cry,
It wont hurt if you don't try.

But I still believe in all of my dreams,
And all that I can be.
I'll learn from mistakes,
Do all that it takes,
To make it eventually.
'Cause I still believe in me.

I'll find an unbreakable heart,
To help me get through this part.
And I swear, I'll never rest,
Till I am standing up there with the very best.
Oh but there's no heart that wont break,
And some times its a heartache.

But I still believe in all of my dreams,
And all that I can be.
I'll learn from mistakes.
Do all that it takes to make it eventually.
Coz I still believe, I still believe,
I still believe in me.

But I still believe in all of my dreams,
And all that I can be.
I'll learn from mistakes,
Do all that it takes, to make it eventually.
Coz I still believe, still believe,
Yes I still believe in me" 

                                                                       Karaoke Version

Erica Discussing I Still Believe In Me 

"My favorite memory was the episode 'Passing Grade' in which Debbie Allen and I (Lydia Grant and Coco) went up for the same part. This was really significant for me because I had seen Debbie in West Side Story on Broadway and was really inspired by her. At that time I was a junior at The High School for the Performing Arts, which was the actual school Fame was based on. The way the episode ended was that neither one of us got the part, and we sang the duet 'I Still Believe In Me' and danced together. It was truly a highlight for me, dancing together and to that particular song, which will always hold a special place in my heart."

Sheet Music

View Sheet Music

Cover Version:

In 1984 Satu Pentikäinen from Finland recorded "I Still Believe In me" for her album "Ota Tai Jätä".

The song was recorded in Finish and the title is "Tahdon Luottaa" also featured on a 1984 double A side single.