Their collaboration with legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller gave them a unique sound that was very humorous most of the time. Their first huge hit came with "Young Blood" and "Searchin'." They also had success with hits such as "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," and "Little Egypt."
Gardner was still touring with The Coasters as late as 2005, although he is the only surviving original member. Gardner is now semi-retired and has handed the reins over to his son Carl Jr.
In 1987, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, thus becoming the first group to be inducted (the other inductees at the time were solo acts). In 2000, they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame. In 2004, "Young Blood" was #414 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs Of All Time. "Young Blood" and "Yakety Yak" were part of The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock & Roll. The band's song "Down In Mexico" appears on the new film, Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof.
Charlie Brown
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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?)
The Coasters' song "Charlie Brown" is a classic tale of a social outcast in high school who is constantly bullied and picked on by his peers. The song's opening lines, "Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium," suggest that the singer is being blamed for something he didn't do. The lyrics go on to describe Charlie Brown as a clown who is always getting into trouble, whether it's for yelling "seven-come-eleven" in the boys' gym or throwing spit balls in the hall.
The chorus, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" highlights Charlie Brown's feeling of isolation and frustration with the unfair treatment he receives from his classmates. The song also touches on the theme of identity, as Charlie Brown tries to project a cool and confident image by calling his English teacher "Daddy-O" and walking into the classroom "cool and slow." Despite his efforts, Charlie Brown remains a target for bullying and is ultimately caught.
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a fun and relatable tune, even for those who didn't experience the same level of bullying in high school. Its popularity has endured over the years and continues to be a beloved classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I smell smoke in the auditorium
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
The person being picked on is named Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown is often seen as a foolish or silly person
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Charlie Brown will eventually face consequences for his actions
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Charlie Brown is wondering why he is always the target of ridicule
That's him on his knees, I know that's him
Charlie Brown is easy to spot and identify
Yellin' 'seven-come-eleven' down in the boys' gym
Charlie Brown is participating in an immature game that other students find annoying
Who's always writing on the wall?
Someone is leaving graffiti in the school
Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Someone is causing disruptions and being silly in the hallways
Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Someone is throwing spitballs in class
Guess who (who, me?)
The person being asked the question knows that they are the one causing the issues
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
There is a student who enters the room with confidence
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Someone is acting extremely casual and informal with the teacher
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
The person being discussed remains Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Charlie Brown will eventually face consequences for his actions
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Charlie Brown is wondering why he is always the target of ridicule
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind