Just as I Am is the debut album by Australian singer Guy Sebastian, the first winner of Australian Idol. The album was released in December 2003, and debuted at number one in Australia, and achieved 6× platinum certification.Guy Sebastian in the Australian Charts. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 21 January 2012.<ref name=ARIAO3></ref> Two number one singles were released from the album, "Angels Brought Me Here and "All I Need Is You. Thellabum also charted at number three in New Zealand, and achieved double platinum certification there.Guy Sebastian in the NZ charts. Charts.org.nz. Retrieved on 17 September 2012.RIANZ Archived Charts 18 January 2004.Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). Retrieved 4 October 2013. Sebastian has gone on to release a further ten top ten albums in Australia, including another two number ones. He has also released five more top 50 albums in New Zealand.
Development Given the relative popularity of Australian Idol in late 2003, BMG Australia subsequently contracted Sebastian for a record before Christmas 2003. He wanted to record a mixture of pop and R&B material. Guy Sebastian co-wrote three of the songs on the album "All I Need Is You", "I 4 U" and "Something Don't Feel Right". He says on his web page: "I think the credibility in having your own stuff makes you as an artist. Credibility is what I've always strived for and I couldn't imagine my first record not having one of my songs on it." The album also features cover versions of "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, "Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition and "When Doves Cry" by Prince.
Commercial performance The first single from the album, "Angels Brought Me Here", debuted at number one and was the highest selling single in Australia in 2003.Asmoro, Widi (15 August 2005).Beautiful Life & Guy Facts . opensubsciber.com. Retrieved 10 June 2010Aria End Of Year Charts Top Singles 2003. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 7 January 2010 "Angels Brought Me Here" went on to earn five platinum accreditations and win the 2004 ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single.Aria Awards 2004 . Australian Recording Industry Association. retrieved 17 February 2009ARIA Accreditations – 2019 Singles. Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 30 March 2019. In January 2010 it was announced as the highest selling song of the 2000 to 2009 decade by ARIA, finishing ahead of Anthony Callea's cover version of "The Prayer".
Just as I Am was released in December 2003 and debuted at number one in Australia, selling 163,711 copies in its first week.Australian Charts Just As I Am . australian-charts.com. Retrieved 28 January 2010Cashmere, Paul (27 December 2006). Damien Leith Has Biggest Seller Of The Year. undercover.com.au. Retrieved 7 January 2010 This remains the second highest ever one week sales for any album in ARIA chart history.Adams, Cameron (29 December 2009). Susan Boyle's album smashes sales records Herald Sun. Retrieved 17 June 2010 Just as I Am became the 5th highest selling album in Australia in 2003 within three weeks of release.End Of Year Highest Selling Album Charts 2003. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 27 February 2009 It reached 6× platinum, and eventually sold in excess of 480,000 units.aria.com.au Accreditations – 2003 Albums. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 28 January 2010Quinn, Karl (21 Nov 2004). Everyone's A Winner. The Age. Retrieved 20 June 2009 It received a nomination for highest selling album at the 2004 ARIA Awards. Just as I Am places #28 on ARIA's list of highest selling albums of the 2000 to 2009 decade, the ninth highest entry for an Australian artist, and the highest for an Australian Idol contestant. The second single "All I Need Is You" also debuted at number one in the Australian charts and was certified platinum.All I Need Is You. australian-charts.com. retrieved 7 January 2009Accreditations 2004. Australian Recording Industry Association Retrieved 7 January 2010
"Angels Brought Me Here" also reached number one in four Asian countries and New Zealand, and was certified platinum in New Zealand.Guy Sebastian biography. Guy Sebastian official site. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012.RIANZ Archived Charts NZ Top 40 Singles 11 January 2004. Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). Retrieved 4 October 2013. Just as I Am was released in New Zealand, where it peaked at number three and achieved double platinum certification.Just As I Am. charts.org.nz. Retrieved 28 January 2010 "All I Need is You" peaked at number five there.
Track listing
Notes signifies an additional/co-producer(s)
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for Just as I Am Chart (2003/04) Peakposition
Year-end charts + 2003 year-end chart performance for Just as I Am Chart (2003) Position Australian Albums Chart 5 Australian Artist Albums Chart 3 + 2004 year-end chart performance for Just as I Am Chart (2004) Position Australian Albums Chart 19 Australian Artist Albums Chart 8 Decade-end charts + Decade-end chart performance for Just as I Am Chart (2000–2009) Position Australian Albums ChartARIA's End Of Decade Charts* (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012. 28 Australian Artist Albums Chart 8
Certification
Release history + Just as I Am release history Region Date Format(s) Label Catalog Ref. Australia 8 December 2003 Sony BMG 82876587792
References
External links Guy Sebastian home page Guy Sebastian album page