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.
Searchin
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her) yeah
I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
A-a searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
I'm searchin' (gonna find her)
Searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie (gonna find her)
You know I'll bring her in someday (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, now, if I have to swim a river
You know I will
And a if I have to climb a mountain
You know I will
And-a if she's a-hiding up on a-blueberry hill
Am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' (gonna find her)
My goodness, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin', child, on me
Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
A-no matter where she's a-hiding, she's gonna hear me a comin'
Gonna walk right down that street Like Bulldog Drummond
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Oooh, Lord, now, searchin' (gonna find her)
Mm, child, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
The Coasters’ “Searchin” is a classic R&B song about a man’s determination to find his love interest. The lyrics are characterized by repetition and a sense of urgency, as the singer repeatedly sings “gonna find her” throughout the song. He expresses his dedication to the search by proclaiming that he’s willing to swim a river, climb a mountain, or search in even the most obscure places, such as a “blueberry hill.” The tone of the song is playful, with a hint of frustration that the object of his affection is elusive, but the singer is determined not to give up until he finds her.
The song’s message of persistence and determination resonated with audiences and helped it become one of The Coasters’ most popular hits. The catchy melody and soulful vocals also contributed to its success. “Searchin” has since become a timeless classic of the R&B genre, and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
(Gonna find her)
The singer is determined to find the person they are searching for
I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
The singer has been searching relentlessly for the person they are looking for
A-a searchin' (gonna find her)
The singer continues to search passionately for the person they are looking for
Oh, yeah, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
The singer has been searching in every possible place to find the person they are looking for
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie (gonna find her)
The singer is determined to find the person they are looking for just like a Northwest Mountie who never gives up
You know I'll bring her in someday (gonna find her)
The singer is confident that eventually they will find the person they are looking for
Well, now, if I have to swim a river
The singer is willing to go to great lengths to find the person they are searching for
And a if I have to climb a mountain
The singer is willing to overcome any obstacle to find the person they are searching for
And-a if she's a-hiding up on a-blueberry hill
Even if the person the singer is searching for is in a remote location, they will still find them
Am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
The singer is certain that they will find the person they are looking for
Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin', child, on me
The singer is confident that they are a better detective than famous fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes and Sam Spade
Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
The singer is referencing other famous fictional detectives
A-no matter where she's a-hiding, she's gonna hear me a comin'
The singer is confident that their pursuit of the person they are searching for will be relentless and will eventually lead to finding them
Gonna walk right down that street Like Bulldog Drummond
The singer is referring to another fictional detective, Bulldog Drummond, and is confident in his ability to find the person he is looking for
Oooh, Lord, now, searchin' (gonna find her)
The singer continues to search passionately for the person they are looking for
Mm, child, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah
The singer has been searching in every possible place to find the person they are looking for
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
The singer is determined to find the person they are looking for just like a Northwest Mountie who never gives up
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
The singer is confident that eventually they will find the person they are looking for
(Gonna find her)
The singer is determined to find the person they are searching for
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jlacey6674
The list of smash hits by Jerry Leiber (lyricist) and Mike Stoller (composer) includes this fantastic tune and 70 total tunes that topped charts around the world. It's hard to believe they either wrote or co-wrote so many toe-tapping' greats. Try this list for
just a few:
Hound Dog
Kansas City
Young Blood
Searchin’
Yakety Yak
There Goes My Baby
Love Me
Jailhouse Rock
Loving You
Don’t
King Creole
On Broadway
Stand By Me
@redcrayon214
Yeah
I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
A-a searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' (gonna find her)
I'm searchin' (gonna find her)
Searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie (gonna find her)
You know I'll bring her in someday (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, now, if I have to swim a river
You know I will
And a if I have to climb a mountain
You know I will
And-a if she's a-hiding up on a-blueberry hill
Am I gonna find her, child, you know I will
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Oh, yeah, searchin' (gonna find her)
My goodness, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah (gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well, Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade got nothin', child, on me
Sergeant Friday, Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
A-no matter where she's a-hiding, she's gonna hear me a comin'
Gonna walk right down that street Like Bulldog Drummond
'Cause I've been searchin' (gonna find her)
Ooh, Lord, now, searchin' (gonna find her)
Mm, child, searchin' every which a-way yeah, yeah
But I'm like that Northwest Mountie
You know I'll bring her in some day (gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
@shodanart
D D I see! Yes. That’s a great way to learn English: Elvis records! ☺️
I was born 1946, and grew up in Texas.
So, yes, you are correct, in 1954 mainstream radio did not play”race records,” as they called them. And, the “negro” stations were hard to tune in.
Elvis was definitely the bridge from black R&B to white audiences, in 1956.
Between 1957 and 1959 more and more black music was played.
That was when I first started hearing: Sam Cooke, the Coasters, Ray Charles, the Drifters. On the jukeboxes they called it: “Rhythm & Blues.
Chuck Berry, Sweet Little Sixteen, Johnny B. Goode and Maybelline; Fats Domino Blueberry Hill, were aired around 1957 as I remember. It was American Bandstand that most of us young Americans were introduced to the black performers. Audiences sadly had no blacks until around maybe 1960. But, those audiences started being integrated before Civil Rights. Music brought us together nicely.
I always felt a little scandalous when I’d drop in a nickel and play: Fats Domino, Jimmy Jones - “Handy Man,” Good Timing” I think you would like those.
It was around 1962 that early Motown started to hit big- the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles were starting to blow my mind!
That’s when all AM radio started playing R&B.
So nice you like this music.
Coasters are great fun-Lyrics and still managed to get a soulful sound.
@shodanart
D D Awesome, Maria!
Why did I feel scandalous? In the 1950’s life was so conservative, particularly in the south and in Texas. Also, because everyone was white in school, it was completely segregated. So no one in 1956 and 1957 ever mentioned “negro music.” So when I found that every song I liked was that black Rhythm and Blues music. That set me aside as different. I would put on a record on the jukebox and I’d see older guys shaking their heads and then go put Country & Western or Pat Boone.
I felt like I was getting away with something. Like- “I’m white, so I’m sneaking in negro music to listen too
AND I’d buy the 45 rpm singles of the Marvelettes, “Playboy” and “At Last,” by Etta James. You’ll like those.
They were so great I felt like I was getting away with something.
Listen to Marvin Gaye sing “Can I get a Witness” Not the live TV- but find a good recording on Youtube. It is powerful.
Also, Smokey Robinson, “Ooh Baby, Baby.”
and, Marvin Gaye, “Sexual Healing” I think you’ll love those songs, too.
☺️❤️
@makaveli4life
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her…….)
Yeeeeheah I've been searching
Ah I searching
Ooh yeah searching every which a-way yeah yeahi
Ooh yeah searching I'm searching
Searching every which a-way yeah yeahi
But I'm like that Northwest mountain
You know I'll bring her in someday
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well now if I have to swim a river
You know I will
And a if I have to climb a mountain
You know I will
And a if she's a hiding up on a blueberry hill
Am I gonna find her child you know who will
'Cause I've been searching (Gonna find her….)
Ooooh yeahehe searching
My goodness searching every which a-way yeah yeah
But I'm like that Northwest mountain
A you know I'll bring her in some day
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well Sherlock Holmes Sam Spade got nothin' child on me
Sergeant Friday Charlie Chan and Boston Blackie
And no matter where she's a hiding she's gonna hear me a coming
I gonna walk right down that street like Bulldog Drummond
'Cause I've been searching (Gonna find her….)
Oooooh Lord now searching mmhmmmmm child
Searching every which a-way yeah yeah
But I'm like that Northwest mountain
You know I'll bring her in some day
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
But I'm like that Northwest mountain
You know I'll bring her in some day
@gkerns4213
I'm 82 years young. In 1957, I was a life guard on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. I have just rediscovered this song. I remember dancing to it, over and over, all night long.
It is wonderful to enjoy such a very special time in my life again. Thank you! 🙏
@wavejapper
I was cooking out on the patio, I'm 51 years old and this song pops into my head. I'd listen to this song on my Mom and Dad's old 45 record as a kid. I remember it sounding better on the old record. Thanks for sharing your story.👍
@georgecarere2709
canuck been to rehoboth beach and hurricane warning -neat spot
@shawntingstad4254
I can totally see that …this song has such great energy!!!
@mrmusiclover4178
@Johnny Dee I was 16 in 1957, and this song was very popular. Brings back nice memories!
@mrmusiclover4178
I am 81, and remember this as being very popular. Unfortunately, most of the people I knew then who also enjoyed the song, are how deceased.
@DeathKurai57xx
In my opinion, the iron giant is one of the best movies ever. The story is great, the animations and the music too! Fantastic!
@SonicGamerGirl2006
Yeah...
It's a shame, though, that the film bombed hard in the box office when it was first released in theaters...
@bretthayward3306
I totally agree with you. This film should have more recognition. It's such a well made film, I love the 50s vibe. My little 2year old lad has been watching it at least 3 times a day for the past 2 months and I'm not even fed up of it.
@cinematicsterling6897
it’s my favorite movie of all time! one of the movies from my childhood that still holds up