Charlie Brown
Coasters Lyrics


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Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I smell smoke in the auditorium

Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
That's him on his knees, I know that's him
Yellin' "seven-come-eleven" down in the boys' gym

Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)

Who's always writing on the wall?
Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Guess who (who, me?) Yeah, you!

Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?

Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)

Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?

Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown




He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)

Overall Meaning

The Coasters' song "Charlie Brown" is a catchy tune that is a social commentary on bullying in high school. The song describes the character of Charlie Brown, who is perceived as a fool by his peers. The opening line, "Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium" suggests that something is not right, and the use of the nursery rhyme-like language sets the tone for the rest of the song. This line creates a sense of anticipation and foreshadows trouble to come.


The lyrics go on to describe Charlie Brown as a clown who is always getting picked on by his peers. The repetition of the line "He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see" emphasizes the inevitability of the situation and the hopelessness that Charlie Brown feels. The lines "Who's always writing on the wall? Who's always goofin' in the hall? Who's always throwin' spit balls? Guess who (who, me?) Yeah, you!" highlights the aggressors' guilt by making them recognize themselves in Charlie Brown.


The song's refrain, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" captures the essence of bullying and the victim's feeling of powerlessness. The song's upbeat tempo and playful tone mask the song's darker message about bullying and societal ills. The Coasters created a narrative that resonated with the young people of their time and beyond.


Line by Line Meaning

Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I detect an unfortunate occurrence


I smell smoke in the auditorium
I sense a troublesome situation


Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
Referencing the person of interest


He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He is often the source of merriment


He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
His actions will have consequences


(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Asking why the focus is always on him


That's him on his knees, I know that's him
Identifying the subject's location


Yellin' "seven-come-eleven" down in the boys' gym
Describing the subject's vocal activity


Who's always writing on the wall?
Questioning the culprit behind the graffiti


Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Asking who disrupts the hallway environment


Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Seeking the source of classroom projectiles


Guess who (who, me?) Yeah, you!
Identifying the responsible party


Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Asking who enters the room with confidence


Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Noting a unique manner of address


Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
Continuing to reference the person of interest


He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
Reinforcing the idea of the subject as an entertainer


He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Reiterating the inevitability of consequences


(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Returning to the question of why focus is on the subject




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, IMAGEM MUSIC INC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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