I’m Yosemite Sam is an original composition by Matt Bunsen and Wikipedia. The two verses are taken verbatim from the March 2010 Wikipedia entry on Yosemite Sam. A live version of the song appears on “Porch Party – Volume 1”. It has become a fan favorite and is performed at most Matt Bunsen and the Burners shows.
The studio version is set to come out this fall, in collaboration with Joe Alaskey – the voice over after who inherited the roll from Mel Blanc as told in the second verse of the song.
There is currently a Kickstarter campaign to help release a 7″ single of the song. Check it out here!
I’m Yosemite Sam
Music by Matt Bunsen
Lyrics by Wikipedia – used per Creative Common Licensing.
I’m Yosemite Sam. That’s who I am.
I’m a cold cold man.
Nobody can adorn your mud flaps like I can.
Screen capture of Yosemite Sam Wikipedia entry (circa 3/10)
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The voice of Yosemite Sam was originated by the Warners’ principal voiceman, Mel Blanc. In his autobiography, Blanc said he had a difficult time coming up with the voice. He started out with a small voice, but didn’t feel that it worked. One day, he decided to simply yell at the top of his lungs, which was inspired by a fit of road rage he had that day. It fit perfectly with the blustery character, but also took a toll on Mel.
He always made it a point to record Sam’s lines at the end of a recording session so he wouldn’t have to play other characters with a hoarse voice. In his final years, it was simply too much, and he passed along the role to others (most notably Joe Alaskey in Who Framed Roger Rabbit). This makes Sam one of the few voices created by Blanc to be voiced by someone else during his lifetime.
Blanc used a voice similar to Yosemite Sam’s for Mr. Spacely on The Jetsons.
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