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.
On Broadway
The Coasters Lyrics
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On Broadway
They say there's always magic in the air
But when you're walkin' down that street
And you ain't have enough to eat
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
They say the women treat you fine
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
How ya gonna make some time
When all you got is one thin dime
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
They say that I won't last too long
On Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
But they get wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
I won't quit till I'm a star
On Broadway
On Broadway
On Broadway
The Coasters' song, "On Broadway", explores the glamour and the grit of the famous street and the dreams that brought many aspiring artists there. The lyrics suggest that the street is alight with the glow of the world-famous neon lights, and that there is always a sense of magic in the air. These elements create a dreamy atmosphere that piques the curiosity and nurtures the ambition of those who pass by. The song also highlights the disappointment and poverty that inevitably come along with the dream of making it big, particularly for the singer. He points out that the glitter and the glam rub off when you're broke and hungry, and that the only way to survive on the street is to keep your head down and keep pushing through the struggles.
Moreover, the song is suggestive of the idea that fame and fortune are the ultimate goals for most people who travel to Broadway. The singer highlights the women on the street, and how they seem to be the epitome of luxury and beauty. However, he reveals that their beauty is almost a curse as it only exacerbates his blue feelings of loneliness and frustration. He also touches on the obstacle of staying afloat in a city where a single dime is not enough to keep you going. Despite the odds, the singer is determined to make an impact in the entertainment industry and, more specifically, on Broadway. He acknowledges that others may see him as a fleeting talent, but he remains confident that he has what it takes to become a star.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the neon lights are bright
People claim that the lights on Broadway are spectacular and vibrant.
On Broadway
Referencing the popular location where dreams are made in New York City.
They say there's always magic in the air
According to others, there is an enchanting feeling on Broadway at all times.
But when you're walkin' down that street
However, when you are strolling along Broadway,
And you ain't have enough to eat
And you're struggling with hunger,
The glitter rubs right off and you're nowhere
Any shimmer or glamour quickly fades away, and you feel lost and alone.
They say the women treat you fine
There is a belief that women treat men well on Broadway.
But lookin' at them just gives me the blues
However, just examining them makes the singer feel sad and downhearted.
How ya gonna make some time
How can you possibly make progress in life
When all you got is one thin dime
When someone only has a small amount of money,
And one thin dime won't even shine your shoes
It is difficult to get ahead when the smallest amount of money is not enough to keep your footwear clean.
They say that I won't last too long
Others believe that the singer's career on Broadway will be limited in duration
On Broadway
On Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home they all say
Other people think that the singer will abandon his dreams and return home on a Greyhound bus.
But they get wrong, I know they are
The singer knows that these individuals are mistaken.
'Cause I can play this here guitar
The singer will persevere on Broadway because of his excellent guitar skills.
I won't quit till I'm a star
The singer will keep going until he achieves stardom.
On Broadway
On Broadway
On Broadway
On Broadway
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BARRY MANN, CYNTHIA WEIL, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind