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.
That Is Rock
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the beginning, there weren't nothin' but rocks.
Then somebody invented the wheel--
And things just started in to roll!
[Sung]
Did you ever hear a tenor sax
Swingin' like a rusty axe?
Down in a hollow log?
Well, baby, that is rock and roll.
Did you ever hear a guitar twang,
Dingy, dingy, dingy, dang?
Ever hear those strings
Doin' crazy things?
Well, baby, that is rock and roll.
That ain't no freight train that you hear,
Rollin' down the railroad tracks--
That's a country boy piano man
Playin' in between the cracks.
You say that music's for the birds,
And you can't understand the words?
Well, honey, if you did,
You'd really blow your lid,
'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll.
That ain't no freight train that you hear,
Rollin' down the railroad tracks--
That's a country boy piano man
Playin' in between the cracks.
You say that music's for the birds,
And you can't understand the words?
Well, honey, if you did,
You'd really blow your lid,
'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll. (in the mornin')
Baby, that is rock and roll. (in the evenin')
Baby, that is rock and roll.
The Coasters' song "That Is Rock" explores the essence of the newly emerging music genre of rock and roll, highlighting its unique sound and the instruments that make it stand out. The song opens with a spoken intro that references the history of human innovation, including the invention of the wheel, to set the scene for the emergence of this new genre of music. The ensuing lyrics describe the distinct sounds of the tenor saxophone and guitar, which are synonymous with rock and roll. The singer describes the saxophone as sounding like a "rusty axe" and "honkin' like a frog," while the guitar "twangs" and makes "crazy things" with its strings. The singer also mentions how rock and roll sounds different from other types of music, even likening it to the sound of a train but noting that it is, in fact, something else entirely.
In the chorus, the singer addresses those who may not understand or appreciate rock and roll, telling them that if they truly listened to the music, they would "blow their lid." The repetition of the phrase "baby, that is rock and roll" emphasizes the power and impact of the genre. The song concludes with a final repetition of the chorus, declaring that rock and roll is present both in the morning and evening, representing a new era of music that was rapidly gaining popularity at the time of the song's release.
Line by Line Meaning
In the beginning, there weren't nothin' but rocks.
At the start of musical history, there was nothing but the natural sound that rocks make.
Then somebody invented the wheel--
Afterward, someone invented some form of instrument that can make music.
And things just started in to roll!
Ever since then, music has evolved into different genres and sub-genres that appeal to various listeners.
Did you ever hear a tenor sax
Swingin' like a rusty axe?
Honkin' like a frog
Down in a hollow log?
Have you listened to a tenor saxophone playing with so much force and energy, producing a sound that is raw and animalistic?
Well, baby, that is rock and roll.
That's what rock and roll music sounds like--soulful and rhythmic that can make you move your body.
Did you ever hear a guitar twang,
Dingy, dingy, dingy, dang?
Ever hear those strings
Doin' crazy things?
Have you ever heard a guitar being played so skillfully that it produces sounds that are distorted, yet harmonious?
Well, baby, that is rock and roll.
That's another example of how rock and roll music sounds like--energetic, wild, and free-spirited.
That ain't no freight train that you hear,
Rollin' down the railroad tracks--
That's a country boy piano man
Playin' in between the cracks.
That sound you hear is not a train rolling on the tracks, but it's the sound of a skilled piano player making unconventional music that transcends social boundaries.
You say that music's for the birds,
And you can't understand the words?
You may think this music is unimportant, and you may not comprehend the lyrics, but that doesn't mean that it's not significant.
Well, honey, if you did,
You'd really blow your lid,
'Cause, baby, that is rock and roll.
If you could understand the meaning behind the music and the lyrics, it could change your perspective, and you might even come to love rock and roll music too.
Baby, that is rock and roll. (in the mornin')
Baby, that is rock and roll. (in the evenin')
Baby, that is rock and roll.
That's what rock and roll is--it's a universal language that can be enjoyed anytime and anywhere, whether in the morning or evening.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind