The Coasters were formed in Los Angeles, California in 1955 by Carl Gardner… Read Full Bio ↴The Coasters were formed in Los Angeles, California in 1955 by Carl Gardner (tenor) and Bobby Nunn (bass) after the split of doo wop group The Robins.

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.

Run Red Run
The Coasters Lyrics

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Oh, Red went and bought himself a monkey
Got him from a pawn shop broker
He taught that monkey how to guzzle beer
And he taught him out to play stud poker
Last night when they were gambling in the kitchen
The monkey he was taking a beating
The monkey said Red, "I'm going to shoot you dead
Because I know that well, you been a cheating"

Well, run, Red, run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy-boogedy-boogedy)
Run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy)
You better get up and wail
You better move your tail before he fills it full of lead

Oh, Red jumped up and started to move like a P80-Saber Jet
He zoomed around the corner, and he disappeared
And everybody started to stare
The race was on, you know the chase was on
And Red he sure could run
But, let me tell you sport, don't sell that monkey short
'Cause he's a traveling son-of-a-gun

Well, run, Red, run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy-boogedy-boogedy)
Run Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy)
You better get up and wail
You better move your tail before he fills it full of lead

Monkey trapped Red in a parking a lot
Down along the avenue
The monkey said, "Red, you've made a man out of me
Now I'm going to make a monkey out of you
Give me your car keys, give me your wallet
Give 'em to me, or I'll shoot
I'm gonna to put on your brand new Stetson hat
And go to town in your new brown suit"

Well, run, Red, run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy-boogedy-boogedy)
Run, Red run, because he's got your gun
And he's aiming it at your head (boogedy)

You better get up and wail
You better move your tail before he fills it full of lead

Overall Meaning

The Coasters' song Run Red Run is a humorous story about a man named Red who purchases a monkey from a pawn shop broker. Red teaches the monkey how to imbibe beer and play stud poker. One day, during a game in the kitchen, the monkey loses to Red and accuses him of cheating. The monkey pulls out Red's gun, aiming it towards his head, and chases after him. The suspenseful chase builds up as Red escapes from the monkey but ultimately gets trapped by it in a parking lot where it threatens to steal his possessions and dress up in his new brown suit.

While the lyrics of the song may seem nonsensical, they can be interpreted as a commentary on the consequences of greed and cheating. Red's desire to win at all costs ultimately leads to his defeat, as the monkey outsmarts him and holds him at gunpoint.

Run Red RunThe Coasters Lyrics

Run Red Run
The Coasters Lyrics