Smokey Joe's Café
The Robins Lyrics

Waa-aah, at Smokey Joe's Café
The singer is enjoying themselves at Smokey Joe's Café.

One day while I was eating beans (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer is recalling a specific day when they were having a meal at Smokey Joe's Café.

Just sittin', diggin' all them scenes (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer is observing and enjoying the activities and atmosphere around them at the cafe.

A chick came walking through the door That I had never seen before
A woman that the singer has never seen before enters the cafe.

At least I'd never saw her down (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer had never seen this woman at Smokey Joe's Café before.

And I started shakin' when she sat right now next to me
The singer becomes nervous when the woman sits down next to them.

Her knees were almost touching mine (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer and the woman are sitting closely together at the cafe.

A chill was running down my spine (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer becomes nervous and scared when the woman sits so close to them.

I could smell her sweet perfume She smiled at me, my heart went boom
The woman is attractive to the singer and they become excited when she interacts with them.

Then everybody in the room (at Smokey Joe's Café) They said "man be careful, that chick belongs to Smokey Joe"
Other people in the cafe warn the singer that the woman is already in a relationship with Smokey Joe.

'Till from behind the counter, I saw a man A chef hat on his head and a knife in his hand He grabbed me by the collar and began to shout
Smokey Joe, who is the owner and chef, confronts the singer and is angry about their advances towards his woman.

"You'd better eat up all your beans, boy and clear right on out"
Smokey Joe orders the singer to finish their meal and leave the cafe.

Yes, I know I'll never eat again (at Smokey Joe's Café) And so we'll never meet again (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer decides they will never return to the cafe again and will not have a chance encounter with the woman.

I'd rather eat my chili beans At Jack's or John's or Jim's or Jean's Than taking my chances eating down (at Smokey Joe's Café)
The singer would prefer to eat at other cafes than return to Smokey Joe's and face the risk of a confrontation.

I risked my like with that Smokey Joe's a crazy fool
The singer believes Smokey Joe is a dangerous person whom they do not want to interact with again.

Waa-aah, at Smokey Joe's Café
The chorus is repeated to emphasize the overall theme of the song taking place at Smokey Joe's Café.