Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times, Williams went on to receive the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting (1997). He also received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.
On August 11, 2014, Williams was found unconscious at his residence and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Marin County, California coroner's office said they believe the cause of death was asphyxiation.
I Yam What I Yam
Robin Williams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To tell when you're flounderin'
What am I? Some kind of barnacles
On the dinghy of life?
I ain't no doctors but I knows
When I'm losin' me patiensk
What am I? Some kind of judge, or a lawyers?
Aw, maybe not but I knows what laws suit's me
But I knows what matters
What am I? I'm Popeye, the sailor
And I yam what I yam what I
Yam and I yam what I
Yam and that's all that I yam
'cause I yam what I yam
And I gots a lot of muskle
And I only gots one eye
And I never hurts nobodys and
I'll never tell a lie
Tops to me bottoms and me bottoms to me top
And that's the way it is 'till
The day that I drop what am I?
I yam what I yam!
I yam what I yam what I yam
What I yam what I yam
I can open up an ockean I
Can take a lot of sail
I can lose a lot of waters
And I'll never have to bail
I can pushk up Madagascar grab
A whale by the tail what am I?
What am I? I yam what I yam!
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam
I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam
I'm Popeye the sailor man!
In "I Yam What I Yam," Robin Williams pays homage to the beloved cartoon character Popeye the Sailor. The lyrics reflect Popeye's straightforward and unapologetic nature, embracing his unique qualities and identity without hesitation. The opening lines suggest that one doesn't need to possess certain credentials or abilities to recognize when they are struggling or losing patience. Popeye humorously questions if he is some kind of barnacles clinging onto the boat of life, casting doubt on his own purpose. However, he confidently asserts that he may not be a doctor, lawyer, or physicist, but he understands what is important to him.
Throughout the song, Popeye emphasizes his physical strength, his singular eye, and his commitment to never harm anyone or tell lies. These characteristics make him who he is, and he fully embraces them. The lyrics create an image of Popeye as an indomitable force, capable of conquering great challenges, opening oceans, and even grabbing a whale by its tail. Despite his outward struggles, Popeye remains true to his identity as Popeye, the sailor.
Overall, "I Yam What I Yam" is a playful and lighthearted anthem that encourages self-acceptance and celebrates individuality. It embodies Popeye's resilience, his unyielding spirit, and his knack for finding humor in life's absurdities.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to be no fish
You don't need to possess specific qualities or traits
To tell when you're flounderin'
To recognize when you're struggling or uncertain
What am I? Some kind of barnacles
Am I insignificant or burdensome?
On the dinghy of life?
In the vast and unpredictable journey of life?
I ain't no doctors but I knows
I may not be a doctor, but I understand
When I'm losin' me patiensk
When I'm running out of patience
What am I? Some kind of judge, or a lawyers?
Am I expected to be a judge or a lawyer?
Aw, maybe not but I knows what laws suit's me
But I know which rules align with my character
So what am I? I ain't no physciscisk
So, what am I? I'm not a physicist
But I knows what matters
But I know what truly matters
What am I? I'm Popeye, the sailor
Who am I? I'm Popeye, the sailor
And I yam what I yam what I
And I am who I am, what I
Yam and I yam what I
am and I am what I
Yam and that's all that I yam
Am, and that's my entirety
'cause I yam what I yam
Because I am who I am
And I gots a lot of muskle
And I have plenty of strength
And I only gots one eye
And I only have one eye
And I never hurts nobodys and
And I never harm anyone
I'll never tell a lie
I will never speak a falsehood
Tops to me bottoms and me bottoms to me top
From top to bottom, and bottom to top
And that's the way it is 'till
And that's how it will be until
The day that I drop what am I?
The day I am no longer alive, what am I?
I yam what I yam!
I am who I am!
I can open up an ockean I
I can conquer vast waters, I
Can take a lot of sail
Can endure challenging voyages
I can lose a lot of waters
I can withstand rough seas
And I'll never have to bail
And I'll never need to give up
I can pushk up Madagascar grab
I can lift Madagascar and seize
A whale by the tail what am I?
A whale by its tail, what am I?
What am I? I yam what I yam!
Who am I? I am who I am!
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I am Popeye, the courageous sailor
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I am Popeye, the resilient sailor
I'm Popeye, the sailor
I am Popeye, the determined sailor
I yam what I yam and that's all that I yam
I am who I am, and that's all that I am
I yam what I yam what I yam what I yam
I am who I am, no matter what
I'm Popeye the sailor man!
I am Popeye, the admirable sailor!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY NILSSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind