Shoppin for Clothes
The Coaster Lyrics
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And walked into the department store
Stepped on the elevator and told the girl
"Dry goods floor"
When I got off, a salesman come up to me
He said "now, what can I do for you?"
I said "well go in there and show me all the sport's clothes
He said, "well, sure, come on in buddy
Dig these fabrics we got laid out on the shelf"
He said
"Pick yourself out one try it on, stand in the mirror and dig yourself"
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that suit's pure herringbone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, that's a suit I'd like to own
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) buddy, that suit is you
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, I believe it too
I see for the business man you featurin' a natural shoulder
That retail, wholesale, indeed
It's got the custom cuffs and the walking short
He said "And I'm gonna let you have at a steal"
And for the playboy you have the latest in tweed
With the cut-away flap over twice
It's a box-back, two button western model
He said, "Now ain't that nice"
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) them buttons are solid gold
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) you made a deal, sold
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that collar's pure camel hair
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) well, you can just set it down right in that chair
Now you go back there and you get that paper and let me sign on the dotted line
And I'll make sure I get all my payments in right on time
Hey wait a minute buddy, let me go back there and do a little checking on you
Then the man come back, he said "I'm sorry my man, but your credit didn't go through"
Why, what you mean?
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) ain't this a shame
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) my heart's in pain
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) pure, pure herringbone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that's a suit you'll never own
Ooh, Lord have mercy, I gotta good job, sweeping up every day...
The Coasters' song "Shoppin' for Clothes" is about a man who goes to a department store looking for a suit. As soon as he steps off the elevator, a salesman approaches him, eager to make a sale. The salesman shows the man several different types of suits, including a classic herringbone suit and a trendy tweed suit with custom cuffs and a cut-away flap. The man tries on the different suits and admires himself in the mirror, imagining himself as a successful businessman or playboy.
The lyrics highlight the consumer culture of the 1950s and the importance of appearance and style. The man in the song is willing to pay whatever it takes to have the latest fashions and look good, but ultimately his dreams are dashed when his credit doesn't go through, and he must settle for his modest job as a custodian.
Overall, "Shoppin' for Clothes" is a fun and upbeat song that pokes fun at the excesses of the time, while also commenting on the struggles of ordinary people trying to make ends meet.
Line by Line Meaning
I was shopping for a suit the other day
Narrator is describing a recent experience visiting a clothing store to purchase a suit
And walked into the department store
Narrator entered into a store with various departments
Stepped on the elevator and told the girl
Narrator used the elevator and spoke to the elevator operator
"Dry goods floor"
Narrator requested a specific floor from the elevator operator
When I got off, a salesman come up to me
Narrator encountered a salesman upon exiting the elevator
He said "now, what can I do for you?"
Salesman inquired about the Narrator's needs
I said "well go in there and show me all the sport's clothes
Narrator requested that the salesman show him available sportswear
Like you're supposed to"
Narrator expressed expectations about the type of clothing that should be shown
He said, "well, sure, come on in buddy
Salesman agreed and invited Narrator to enter the sportswear area
Dig these fabrics we got laid out on the shelf"
Salesman highlighted the available clothing items
He said "Pick yourself out one try it on, stand in the mirror and dig yourself"
Salesman encouraged Narrator to try on the suggested clothes and take a look in the mirror
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that suit's pure herringbone
Narrator is impressed with the look of the suit's fabric
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, that's a suit I'd like to own
Narrator expresses desire to own the suit
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) buddy, that suit is you
Salesman compliments Narrator's appearance in the suit
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, I believe it too
Salesman reinforces his conviction that the suit fits Narrator well
I see for the business man you featurin' a natural shoulder
Salesman points out a suit tailored for a businessperson
That retail, wholesale, indeed
Salesman highlights the affordability and accessibility of the business suit
It's got the custom cuffs and the walking short
Salesman notes the features of the business suit
He said "And I'm gonna let you have at a steal"
Salesman promotes the affordability of the business suit
And for the playboy you have the latest in tweed
Salesman points out a tweed suit that appeals to a certain fashion taste
With the cut-away flap over twice
Salesman describes the look of the suit's flap
It's a box-back, two button western model
Salesman describes the suit's design
He said, "Now ain't that nice"
Salesman highlights the suit's appeal
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) them buttons are solid gold
Narrator admires the shiny buttons on the suit
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) you made a deal, sold
Narrator acknowledges having made a purchase
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that collar's pure camel hair
Narrator admires the quality of the suit's collar
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) well, you can just set it down right in that chair
Salesman invites Narrator to place the suit on a chair
Now you go back there and you get that paper and let me sign on the dotted line
Salesman instructs Narrator to retrieve a document for the purchase
And I'll make sure I get all my payments in right on time
Narrator assures that he will make payments on time
Hey wait a minute buddy, let me go back there and do a little checking on you
Salesman asks for some time to perform a credit check on the Narrator
Then the man come back, he said "I'm sorry my man, but your credit didn't go through"
Salesman informs Narrator that his credit check failed
Why, what you mean?
Narrator questions the outcome of the credit check
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) ain't this a shame
Narrator expresses disappointment or regret
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) my heart's in pain
Narrator exaggerates disappointment
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) pure, pure herringbone
Narrator emphasizes the qualities of the suit he cannot buy
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that's a suit you'll never own
Narrator acknowledges he cannot afford to buy the suit
Ooh, Lord have mercy, I gotta good job, sweeping up every day...
Narrator takes solace in his job despite not being able to purchase the desired suit
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, KENT HARRIS, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@snakestyle142
probably the most unique group ever. loved every side they ever made.
@stanich054
No doubt this is killer. The voice inflections are top drawer. Coasters were a very innovative group of talented performers
@franktuckwell196
I heard this on the Andy Kershaw Show, i thought it was MAGNIFICENT!! Best thing i'd heard that whole show. Smokey tones with brilliant everything else. I taped it from the radio (which i still have) and have downloaded many times since. It also puts me in mind of KAT, on the tv show RED DWARF.
@alfredornelas4421
Old school jam, it don't get better than this.
@gordontaylor4184
This is probably the greatest record ever made. The slow tempo works much better than the original version.
@hwgray
No it doesn't.
@ChuckWroste
"Stand in the mirror and dig yourself". Every time I check myself in the mirror or use it when I tie a tie, I say that line and have to chuckle. One of the great memories of the 50's.
@recordguy4321
They should have just called this song "Stand in the Mirror and Dig Yourself"
@hwgray
The original line is, Stand in front of the mirror. That makes sense. Strange that they didn't do another cut to eliminate that fluff. Atlantic probably figured, Fuck it. Who's going to know and who gives a shit, anyway?
@davidmaslow399
Just a scream!!!Lol!!!!!