Coconut
Harry Nilsson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one she paid it for the lime

She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put the lime in the coconut, she call the doctor, woke 'I'm up
And said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
I said "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"
I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
I said "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

Now lemme get this straight
You put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot'up
Put the lime in the coconut, you call your doctor, woke 'I'm up

Said "doctor, ain't there nothing' I can take?"
I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"
I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?'
I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"

You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' together
Put the lime in the coconut and you'll feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning"

Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Woo-oo-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
His sister had another one she paid it for a lime
She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
She put the lime in the coconut, she called the doctor, woke 'I'm up

And said, "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?'
I said, "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"
I said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
I said, "doctor, now lemme get this straight

You put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot'up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut, you drink 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut, you're such a silly woman

Put a lime in the coconut and drink 'em bot' together
Put the lime in the coconut, then you'll feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em both down
Put the lime in your coconut, and call me in the morning

Woo, ain't there nothin' you can take?
I say, woo, to relieve your belly ache
You say, well woo, ain't there nothin' I can take?
I say woo, woo, to relieve your belly ache
You say ya, ain't there nothin' I can take?

I say wow, to relieve this belly ache
I said "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"
I said, "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"
I said, "doctor, ain't there nothing I can take?"
I said, "doctor you're such a silly woman"

Put the lime in the coconut and drink 'em both together
Put the lime in the coconut, and you'll feel better
Put the lime in the coconut, drink 'em bot' up
Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning

Yes, you call me in the morning, you call me in the morning
I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning
I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning
I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning




I'll tell you what to do and if you call me in the morning
I'll tell you what to do

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Harry Nilsson's Coconut tell a story of a woman who has a bellyache and calls the doctor for help. The doctor advises her to put lime in the coconut and drink it to relieve her pain. The woman follows the instructions and drinks it, and in the end, the doctor tells her to call him in the morning if she still feels sick.


The song's meaning is straightforward, but it is the playful and catchy tone that makes it memorable. The phrase "Put the lime in the coconut" has become a popular phrase used in various contexts and has even inspired a cocktail. The song also features a catchy melody and a lively calypso beat, making it a fun and enjoyable song to listen to.


Overall, Coconut is a lighthearted song that captures the essence of a feel-good tune. Its absurdity and catchy melody make it the perfect song to lift someone's mood.


Line by Line Meaning

Brother bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime
The singer's brother had purchased a coconut and paid very little money for it.


His sister had another one she paid it for the lime
The singer's sister had another coconut, for which she spent more money to acquire a lime.


She put the lime in the coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
The sister proceeded to add the lime to the coconut and then drink the contents.


She put the lime in the coconut, she call the doctor, woke 'I'm up
After experiencing an adverse reaction to the drink, the sister called the doctor for help.


And said "doctor, ain't there nothin' I can take?"
The sister expressed the desire to be given something to alleviate her symptoms.


I said "doctor, to relieve this belly ache"
The singer suggested a potential reason for the sister's discomfort in order to aid the doctor in determining treatment.


Now lemme get this straight
The singer asked for clarification in order to better understand the situation.


You put the lime in the coconut, you drank 'em bot' up
The artist summarized the events leading up to the sister's distress.


Put the lime in the coconut and you'll feel better
Despite the sister's discomfort, the artist suggested that the combination of lime and coconut would prove beneficial.


Put the lime in the coconut and call me in the morning"
The artist offered to be contacted again in the event that the sister's symptoms persisted.


Put a lime in the coconut and drink 'em bot' together
The singer restated the suggested course of action.


Put the lime in your coconut, and call me in the morning
The artist reiterated the need for the sister to reach out in the event of continued distress.


You put the lime in the coconut, you're such a silly woman
The singer teasingly chided the sister for her misadventure.


Woo, ain't there nothin' you can take?
The sister once again expressed the desire for medication to reduce her symptoms.


I say, woo, to relieve your belly ache
The singer made a suggestion for the sister's treatment.


Put the lime in your coconut, and call me in the morning
The artist repeated the suggested course of action.


I said, "doctor you're such a silly woman"
The artist playfully scolded the doctor for not being able to immediately assist the sister.


Yes, you call me in the morning, you call me in the morning
The singer reminded the sister to contact him if her symptoms persisted.


I'll tell you what to do if you call me in the morning
The singer reemphasized his willingness to provide guidance for the sister's treatment.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Harry Edward Nilsson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@dylanhigdon3571

#6 on the jukebox

@samuelsporto

Alan Wake reference. Amazing game!

@spawnlordgaming7826

Definitely, had forgotten how great this song was, until I walked into the dinner and was asked to put it on for that guy at the table. Laughed a bit when the brother commented that he was in hell.😂

@spawnlordgaming7826

Great game!

@SNEStalgia

" The Jukebox is out of order!

The poor old thing can only take so much of the SAME SONG being played over and over and over.
I'm as big a fan of "Cocounut" as the next person but COME ON!"

@jamespocelinko104

This always reminds me of Nigel Murray and Lance from Bones. RIP to both of them.

@ZyrelRohan

Saw this comment a while ago.. and yesterday I saw the episode where Sweets died (binge-watching Bones)... rough way they killed off his character T_T

@Jexxnjungkxxk1306

Samee

@melissaalbuquerquefreirema437

I miss them two. I'm listening now because of them

@isabellasiler7687

Agreed 😭

More Comments

More Versions