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.
Framed
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When two policemen grabbed me, unaware
He say, "Is your name Henry?" I says, "Why sure"
He says, "You the boy we've been lookin' for"
Framed, I was framed
I never do nothin' wrong
But I always get blamed, framed
They took him in the line up and let those bright lights shine
There was ten poor souls like me in that line
I knew I was a victim of someone's evil plan
When a stool pidgeon walked in and says, "That's the man"
Framed, I was framed
I never do nothin' wrong
But I always get blamed, framed
Well, the prosecutor turned and started a-prosecutin' me
Man, that cat didn't give me the third degree
He says, "Where were you on the night of July 1953?"
I said I was home in bed, he says "jury, this man is lyring"
Framed, I was framed
I never do nothin' wrong
But I always get blamed, framed
I denied charge of robbing the liquor store
Denied the charge of carrying a forty-four
Denied the charge of vagrancy, too
But when the judge came down, poured whiskey on my head
Turned around to the jury and said "Convict this man, he a drunk," what could I do?
Framed, I was framed
I never do nothin' wrong
But I always get blamed, framed, feel my pain
I was framed (he was blamed)
I was framed (he was blamed)
I got framed (he was blamed)
The Coasters' song "Framed" tells the story of a man who is falsely accused and convicted of a crime he did not commit. The song begins with the singer being approached by police officers who mistake him for someone named Henry. They arrest him and take him to a lineup, where he is identified by a witness who has been coerced into providing false testimony. Despite his protests of innocence, the man is ultimately convicted and sentenced to jail.
The song uses the theme of being "framed" as a metaphor for the ways in which society can unfairly judge and condemn individuals based on their race, class, or other factors. The lyrics suggest that the justice system is flawed and often fails to provide justice for those who are truly innocent.
In addition to its powerful message, "Framed" is notable for its catchy beat and playful humor. The Coasters were known for their unique blend of R&B, rock and roll, and doo-wop, and "Framed" reflects this style with its upbeat tempo and memorable melody.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walkin' down the street mindin' my own affair
I was casually strolling down the street going about my business
When two policemen grabbed me, unaware
Suddenly, two policemen grabbed me without warning
He say, 'Is your name Henry?' I says, 'Why sure'
The policeman asked if my name was Henry and I responded affirmatively
He says, 'You the boy we've been lookin' for'
The policeman said that I was the person they had been searching for
Framed, I was framed
I was falsely accused and set up
I never do nothin' wrong
I have never committed any wrongdoing
But I always get blamed, framed
Despite being innocent, I am always accused and setup
They took him in the line up and let those bright lights shine
I was taken and placed in a lineup where the bright lights shined on us
There was ten poor souls like me in that line
There were ten other individuals like me in that lineup
I knew I was a victim of someone's evil plan
I had the feeling that I was the target of a malicious plan
When a stool pidgeon walked in and says, 'That's the man'
Someone who was possibly working with the police identified me as the perpetrator
Well, the prosecutor turned and started a-prosecutin' me
The prosecutor began accusing and prosecuting me
Man, that cat didn't give me the third degree
The prosecutor did not interrogate me aggressively
He says, 'Where were you on the night of July 1953?'
The prosecutor asked me where I was on a specific night in July 1953
I said I was home in bed, he says 'jury, this man is lying'
I told him I was at home, but he claimed that I was lying and stated this to the jury
But when the judge came down, poured whiskey on my head
During my trial, the judge poured whiskey on my head
Turned around to the jury and said 'Convict this man, he a drunk,' what could I do?
The judge instructed the jury to find me guilty without giving me a fair chance
Framed, I was framed
I was maliciously accused and setup
Feel my pain
I am experiencing a great deal of emotional pain and distress
I was framed (he was blamed)
I was falsely accused and manipulated (while he blamed)
I got framed (he was blamed)
I was set up and manipulated (while he blamed)
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind