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.
The Coasters Charlie Brown
The Coasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I smell smoke in the auditorium
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Yellin' "seven-come-eleven" down in the boys' gym
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Who's always writing on the wall?
Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Guess who (who, me?)
Yeah, you
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
The Coasters' song "Charlie Brown" is a classic tale of a social outcast in high school who is constantly bullied and picked on by his peers. The song's opening lines, "Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium," suggest that the singer is being blamed for something he didn't do. The lyrics go on to describe Charlie Brown as a clown who is always getting into trouble, whether it's for yelling "seven-come-eleven" in the boys' gym or throwing spit balls in the hall.
The chorus, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" highlights Charlie Brown's feeling of isolation and frustration with the unfair treatment he receives from his classmates. The song also touches on the theme of identity, as Charlie Brown tries to project a cool and confident image by calling his English teacher "Daddy-O" and walking into the classroom "cool and slow." Despite his efforts, Charlie Brown remains a target for bullying and is ultimately caught.
The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus make it a fun and relatable tune, even for those who didn't experience the same level of bullying in high school. Its popularity has endured over the years and continues to be a beloved classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I smell smoke in the auditorium
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
The person being picked on is named Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown is often seen as a foolish or silly person
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Charlie Brown will eventually face consequences for his actions
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Charlie Brown is wondering why he is always the target of ridicule
That's him on his knees, I know that's him
Charlie Brown is easy to spot and identify
Yellin' 'seven-come-eleven' down in the boys' gym
Charlie Brown is participating in an immature game that other students find annoying
Who's always writing on the wall?
Someone is leaving graffiti in the school
Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Someone is causing disruptions and being silly in the hallways
Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Someone is throwing spitballs in class
Guess who (who, me?)
The person being asked the question knows that they are the one causing the issues
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
There is a student who enters the room with confidence
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Someone is acting extremely casual and informal with the teacher
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
The person being discussed remains Charlie Brown
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Charlie Brown will eventually face consequences for his actions
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Charlie Brown is wondering why he is always the target of ridicule
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BELINDA ABERBACH STEVENSON AGAR REVOCABLE TRUST
Written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dcccvislimbone9147
Weird but true story. When I was a child around the age of 8 I bowled my highest game.
The reason it relates to this song is because I had this song stuck in my head as I bowled.
By the age of 8 I'd already been bowling in leagues for about 3 years. The highest I'd bowled
prior to this day was only a 115. I showed up for this boys youth tournament and I remember
my parents saying that if I bowled over a 150 that day they'd take me to Chuck E. Cheese for
a party. This song was stuck in my head the entire day. I remember throwing strike after strike
while literally saying the lyrics of this song out loud. "Charlie Brown.. he's a Clown.. he's gonna
get caught.. just you wait and see... why's everybody always picking on me?!" With this song
stuck in my head I managed to bowl the best game of my life at that point. A 151. Just enough
to know I had sealed my fate for a trip to Chuck E. Cheese. The place that in the early 90's was
almost more like a fantasy to kids. I'm now 38 years of age and I still remember everything about
that day as if it only happened a year ago. It's been 30 years. 🎳💗
@Mikewilkinson5969
The way he says “why is everybody always picking on me?” Is hilarious.This song is one of the best and funniest songs I’ve ever heard
@pearlharbor4790
That solo dance was adorable..Such fun.
@russellregan4736
I remember this song from my childhood in the 60s. We had it on a 45 memories 😊😊😊😊
@EmorySimsDrEmoryCarlSims
I was five years old when this song came out. I remember this one because at five years old I road around with my dad in one of those old Ford woody stations wagons during the fifties. I am riding with him in the station wagon, my feet not touching the floor while this song was playing on the radio. I remember this one.
@myyoutubepage199
:O wow, i was not born yet :(
@frdjr2527
I had this 45 when it new. I was 7 in 1959.
@Gato420.
I remember this song from my kindergarten teacher picking it out for the boys and I to perform and lip sync to it. We brought the house down with this one! Core memory for sure!
@Packguardian_gacha8684
That sounds awesome man.
@frdjr2527
Way to go!
@paulsmith5398
YES! 50s, and most 60s, some 70s music too❗All great to listen to❗