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.
Shoppin
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And walked into the department store
Stepped on the elevator and told the girl
"Dry goods floor"
When I got off, a salesman come up to me
He said "now, what can I do for you?"
I said "well go in there and show me all the sport's clothes
He said, "well, sure, come on in buddy
Dig these fabrics we got laid out on the shelf"
He said
"Pick yourself out one try it on, stand in the mirror and dig yourself"
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that suit's pure herringbone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, that's a suit I'd like to own
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) buddy, that suit is you
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) yeah, I believe it too
I see for the business man you featurin' a natural shoulder
That retail, wholesale, indeed
It's got the custom cuffs and the walking short
He said "And I'm gonna let you have at a steal"
And for the playboy you have the latest in tweed
With the cut-away flap over twice
It's a box-back, two button western model
He said, "Now ain't that nice"
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) them buttons are solid gold
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) you made a deal, sold
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that collar's pure camel hair
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) well, you can just set it down right in that chair
Now you go back there and you get that paper and let me sign on the dotted line
And I'll make sure I get all my payments in right on time
Hey wait a minute buddy, let me go back there and do a little checking on you
Then the man come back, he said "I'm sorry my man, but your credit didn't go through"
Why, what you mean?
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) ain't this a shame
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) my heart's in pain
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) pure, pure herringbone
(Ooh-ooh-ooh) that's a suit you'll never own
Ooh, Lord have mercy, I gotta good job, sweeping up every day...
The Coasters' song "Shopping for Clothes" is an amusing discourse about a man shopping for a suit in a department store. The lyrics begin with the singer entering the store elevator and requesting the dry goods floor. He then meets a salesman who offers to show him all the sports clothes. The singer is impressed with the different fabrics on display and is encouraged to select one and try it on. He eventually chooses a suit made of pure herringbone, which fits him perfectly, but the salesman later informs him that his credit didn't go through.
The song is essentially a satirical take on the shallowness and emptiness of materialism. The singer is excited at the prospect of owning an expensive suit and fantasizes about how much better he will look in it. However, when he is unable to purchase it, he is forced to confront his own financial limitations and perhaps even his own sense of self-worth. It is a humorous portrayal of the absurdity of consumer culture in general.
Line by Line Meaning
I was shopping for a suit the other day
I visited a store to buy a new suit.
And walked into the department store
I entered the large retail store.
Stepped on the elevator and told the girl
I got on the lift and instructed the operator.
"Dry goods floor"
I requested to be taken to the floor selling fabrics and clothing materials.
When I got off, a salesman come up to me
A salesperson walked up to me as soon as I arrived.
He said "now, what can I do for you?"
He asked how he could assist me in my shopping.
I said "well go in there and show me all the sport's clothes
I instructed him to showcase all the athletic outfits.
Like you're supposed to"
I expected him to adhere to his job description.
He said, "well, sure, come on in buddy
He agreed to my request and invited me to see the clothing items.
Dig these fabrics we got laid out on the shelf"
He highlighted the fabrics they had on display.
He said "Pick yourself out one try it on, stand in the mirror and dig yourself"
He asked me to choose an outfit, wear it, and admire myself in the mirror.
That suit's pure herringbone
The outfit has a distinct herringbone pattern.
Yeah, that's a suit I'd like to own
I am interested in buying that outfit.
Buddy, that suit is you
The suit suits you well.
Yeah, I believe it too
I am confident that the suit looks good on you.
I see for the business man you featurin' a natural shoulder
He pointed out the natural shoulders on outfits for businesspersons.
That retail, wholesale, indeed
The clothing is available for purchase at both retail and wholesale prices.
It's got the custom cuffs and the walking short
The outfit features unique custom cuffs and walking shorts.
He said "And I'm gonna let you have at a steal"
He offered to sell the outfit at an incredibly low price.
And for the playboy you have the latest in tweed
The shop has the newest tuxedo outfits available for purchase.
With the cut-away flap over twice
The outfit has a double-breasted cut-away coat flap.
It's a box-back, two button western model
The tuxedo has a unique box-back and two-button design for western occasions.
He said, "Now ain't that nice"
He found the outfit quite impressive.
Them buttons are solid gold
The buttons on the outfit are made of pure gold.
You made a deal, sold
You're getting a great bargain.
That collar's pure camel hair
The outfit has a collar made of pure camel hair.
Well, you can just set it down right in that chair
You can place the outfit on the available chair.
Now you go back there and you get that paper and let me sign on the dotted line
I was instructed to get the purchasing papers and sign the agreement.
And I'll make sure I get all my payments in right on time
I promised to make timely payments for the outfit.
Hey wait a minute buddy, let me go back there and do a little checking on you
The salesperson requested a background check on me before processing the payment.
Then the man come back, he said "I'm sorry my man, but your credit didn't go through"
He regretfully informed me that my credit was not accepted.
Why, what you mean?
I asked for clarification about my declining credit status.
Ain't this a shame
I expressed disappointment about the situation.
My heart's in pain
I felt emotional anguish due to the letdown.
That's a suit you'll never own
I couldn't purchase the suit I wanted to buy.
Ooh, Lord have mercy, I gotta good job, sweeping up every day...
I made a passive-aggressive comment about my current job after being turned down for the purchase.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, KENT HARRIS, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@snakestyle142
probably the most unique group ever. loved every side they ever made.
@stanich054
No doubt this is killer. The voice inflections are top drawer. Coasters were a very innovative group of talented performers
@franktuckwell196
I heard this on the Andy Kershaw Show, i thought it was MAGNIFICENT!! Best thing i'd heard that whole show. Smokey tones with brilliant everything else. I taped it from the radio (which i still have) and have downloaded many times since. It also puts me in mind of KAT, on the tv show RED DWARF.
@alfredornelas4421
Old school jam, it don't get better than this.
@gordontaylor4184
This is probably the greatest record ever made. The slow tempo works much better than the original version.
@hwgray
No it doesn't.
@ChuckWroste
"Stand in the mirror and dig yourself". Every time I check myself in the mirror or use it when I tie a tie, I say that line and have to chuckle. One of the great memories of the 50's.
@recordguy4321
They should have just called this song "Stand in the Mirror and Dig Yourself"
@hwgray
The original line is, Stand in front of the mirror. That makes sense. Strange that they didn't do another cut to eliminate that fluff. Atlantic probably figured, Fuck it. Who's going to know and who gives a shit, anyway?
@davidmaslow399
Just a scream!!!Lol!!!!!