2003 Pop-Rock Anthem Became the Theme Song for a Classic Show the Musician Has Never Seen
Gavin DeGraw, the Grammy-nominated singer behind hits including “Not Over You” and “Chariot,” says his 2003 breakout single “I Don’t Want to Be” remains the song most closely associated with his career. The track became even more popular after being chosen as the theme song for the teen drama One Tree Hill, which aired from 2003 to 2012 and introduced the song to a much wider audience.
In a conversation with PEOPLE, DeGraw admitted that despite the song’s strong connection to the series, he never actually watched the show. When asked whether he was “team Lucas” or “team Nathan,” he joked that he could not answer because he had “never seen the show physically.” He added that he is not a TV watcher and said he had not watched television since 1998, describing his TV as more of a “nightlight” and saying he prefers reading owner’s manuals.
Even though he did not follow One Tree Hill, DeGraw said the song has had a meaningful impact on his life. He explained that the most important part of its success is hearing from listeners who say the song helped them through difficult periods. He mentioned stories from fans who identified with the lyrics while dealing with bullying, uncertainty about their future, or struggles with identity. For DeGraw, those personal reactions have made the song’s legacy especially rewarding.
He made a similar point in comments to E! News, saying that while he has heard the show was “amazing,” it has been “great” to him because of the fans and the support it generated. His remarks highlight the unusual way a single song can become larger than the artist’s own viewing habits, turning into a defining part of a television era while also resonating independently with listeners.
“I Don’t Want to Be” served as the One Tree Hill theme song throughout the show’s first four seasons and returned in season 8. DeGraw also performed the song on screen in season 5 and again during the series finale, reinforcing its place in the show’s identity.
Since its release, the song has continued to find new audiences. It has been streamed more than 300 million times on Spotify and its official music video has surpassed 46 million views on YouTube. Those numbers reflect the lasting popularity of a track that first broke through more than two decades ago and still remains one of DeGraw’s signature songs.
For DeGraw, the success of “I Don’t Want to Be” is not only about chart placement or streaming totals. It is also about the way music can connect with people at formative moments in their lives and become part of their personal stories.
