Charlie Brown
The Drifters and 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 song "Charlie Brown" by The Drifters and The Coasters is about a boy named Charlie Brown who is constantly being picked on by his peers. The opening lines of the song, "Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum, I smell smoke in the auditorium," signify that trouble is brewing, and the rest of the lyrics go on to describe Charlie Brown's experiences. He is portrayed as a clown, always getting into trouble and being teased by others.
The lyrics describe some specific incidents in which Charlie Brown is singled out, such as when he is caught yelling "seven-come-eleven" in the boys' gym. The chorus repeats the line "He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see," which indicates that he is always up to something and is likely to get in trouble for it.
The song also mentions that Charlie Brown is often the one who is blamed for things he didn't do. The lyric "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!" highlights this aspect of his situation. The song concludes with the repetition of the chorus and the line "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
Overall, the song portrays the struggles of a boy who is always being picked on and blamed for things he didn't do. It conveys a message of empathy and highlights the importance of standing up for those who are targeted and marginalized.
Line by Line Meaning
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
I detect the smell of smoke in the auditorium
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
The subject of this song: Charlie Brown
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown is often seen as foolish or a joke
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Charlie Brown will eventually face the consequences of his actions
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Charlie Brown feels unfairly targeted and wonders why this happens to him
That's him on his knees, I know that's him
The singer believes they have identified Charlie Brown in a particular situation
Yellin' "seven-come-eleven" down in the boys' gym
Charlie Brown is engaging in immature behavior
Who's always writing on the wall?
Someone is frequently leaving graffiti on walls
Who's always goofin' in the hall?
Someone is often messing around or being disruptive in the hallway
Who's always throwin' spit balls?
Someone is frequently throwing small balls made of saliva
Guess who (who, me?) Yeah, you!
The singer is accusing Charlie Brown of being the culprit in these misbehaviors
Who walks in the classroom, cool and slow?
Someone enters the classroom with an air of confidence and indifference
Who calls the English teacher Daddy-O?
Someone addresses the English teacher in a casual and familiar way
Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown
Reiteration of the song's subject
He's a clown, that Charlie Brown
Reiteration of Charlie Brown's perceived foolishness
He's gonna get caught, just you wait and see
Reiteration of Charlie Brown's impending punishment
(Why's everybody always pickin' on me?)
Reiteration of Charlie Brown's confusion and frustration with his situation
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
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❗