What About Us
The Coaster Lyrics
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Got his own swimming pool...what a gas
We've got a one-room shack
Five by six by the railroad track, well
What about us
What about us
Don't want to cause no fuss
He's with a beautiful chick
Every night of the week, pretty slick
We're two poor hung up souls
Girls won't touch with a ten-foot pole, well
What about us
What about us
Don't want to cause no fuss
But what about us
He goes to eat at the Ritz
Big steaks, that's the breaks
We eat hominy grits
From a bag, what a drag
He's got a car made of suede
With a black leather top, got it made
If we go out on dates
We go in a box on roller skates, well
What about us
What about us
Don't want to cause no fuss
But what about us
He goes to eat at the Ritz
Big steaks, that's the breaks
We eat hominy grits
From a bag, what a drag
He's got a car made of suede
With a black leather top, got it made
If we go out on dates
We go in a box on roller skates, well
What about us
What about us
Don't want to cause no fuss
But what about us
What about us
What about us
But what about us
The Coasters' song "What About Us" is a satirical and poignant commentary on class disparities in America. The song contrasts the lavish lifestyle of the wealthy with the poverty of the working class. The opening lines juxtapose the luxury of a house made of glass and a swimming pool with the humble abode of the singer, a "one-room shack" by the railroad track. The refrain "what about us" is a plea for attention and recognition from the wealthy and powerful who seem to have no concern for the struggles of the working class.
The second verse highlights the contrast between the singer's lack of romantic opportunities and the wealthy man's easy access to beautiful women. The chorus repeats the call for acknowledgement and perhaps a sense of shame in the face of such disparities. The third verse continues to contrast the wealthy man's access to fine dining with the singer's reliance on a less glamorous meal, hominy grits.
The final verse again highlights the stark differences in material wealth with the wealthy man driving a car made of suede and leather while the only option for the singer and their date is a ride in a box on roller skates. The song concludes with a final refrain of "what about us" emphasizing the need for awareness and action in addressing the class disparities portrayed in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got a house made of glass
He has a luxurious home made of glass, representing the wealth and superiority he holds
Got his own swimming pool...what a gas
He has his own swimming pool, which symbolizes his wealth and status, and it's seen as a great privilege
We've got a one-room shack, Five by six by the railroad track, well
The singer and the person they are referring to live in vastly different socio-economic situations, with the singer living in a small, rundown shack by the railroad tracks
What about us, What about us, Don't want to cause no fuss, But what about us
The singer is questioning why they have to live in poverty while the other person enjoys luxurious things without any concern or responsibility
He's with a beautiful chick, Every night of the week, pretty slick
He is with a beautiful woman every night of the week, emphasizing the difference in romantic opportunities between the two individuals
We're two poor hung up souls, Girls won't touch with a ten-foot pole, well
The singer and their fellow impoverished companion are seen as socially undesirable and unattractive, and they struggle to connect with women
He goes to eat at the Ritz, Big steaks, that's the breaks
The other person eats at a luxurious restaurant, emphasizing the difference between their lifestyles
We eat hominy grits, From a bag, what a drag
The singer and their companion eat cheap and unappetizing food, highlighting how their lack of financial resources means they cannot afford to eat as well as the other person
He's got a car made of suede, With a black leather top, got it made
The other person owns a car made of high-quality materials, reinforcing the idea that they enjoy great wealth and luxury
If we go out on dates, We go in a box on roller skates, well
The singer and their companion have to be resourceful and creative in order to have fun, as they cannot afford to do anything as extravagant as the other person
What about us, What about us, Don't want to cause no fuss, But what about us
The singer is frustrated that the other person is enjoying all the privileges of wealth while they are living in poverty, and they are expressing their desire for more equity and fairness
What about us, What about us, But what about us
The singer is repeating their frustration and desire for a more equitable situation, emphasizing the stark differences in their lives
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEIBER, STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Deborah Dessaso
Like many recording artists then and now, The Coasters saw little of the money they made for the corporate machinery. I suppose this is why few people feel sorry for the ups and downs the industry has been going through lately, especially since technology and the internet make it possible for artists to bypass the corporation and market themselves directly to potential and existing audiences. What goes around comes around!
Paul McManus
The industry was developed as a way for highway robbers to work indoors.
jimismoothable
King Curtis on the sax solo.
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.
barrygioportmorien1
Yeah, it truly is a gem isn't it, loved it the first time I heard it. Should have been a big hit. Barry in Canada.
Jason Us
The Coasters are fucking amazing!
christopher wilson
You have great taste in music man, you're lucky in that respect, because most don't have any idea who The Coasters were. They were MAGIC.
Rosaland Harris
song for the 99%! They are right, what about us?
pinchold pinch
and then....and then....and then....came what about us
Richard Meyer
The first protest song?