The original group members were Ty Terrell, Billy Richards, Roy Richards, and Bobby Nunn. Carl Gardner and Grady Chapman were added in 1954. In 1956, Garner and Nunn left and formed The Coasters.
Smokey Joes Café
The Robins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just sittin diggin'all the scenes at Smokey Joes's Cafe
A chick came walkin through the door
That I had never seen before
At least I never saw her down at Smokey Joe's Cafe
And I started shakin'when she sat right down next to me
Her knees were almost touching mine at Smokey Joe's Cafe
I could smell her sweet perfume
She smiled at me my heart went boom
Then everybody in the room at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Said 'Man be careful, that chick belongs to Smokey Joe'
]From behind the counter I saw a man
A chef's hat on his head and a knife in his hand
He grabbed me by the collar and began to shout
'You better eat up all your beans, boy and clear right on out.'
I know I'll never eat again at Smokey Joe's Cafe
And so we'll never meet again at Smokey Joes's Cafe
I'd rather eat my chili beans
At Jim's or Jack's or John's or Gene's
Then take my chances eating down at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Why risk my life when that Smokey Joe's a crazy fool
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
The song "Smokey Joe's Café" by The Robins is a lively and upbeat tune that describes a chance encounter at a popular café. The singer is enjoying his meal of beans when a beautiful woman walks through the door, catching his eye. He is smitten by her and begins to feel drawn to her, barely able to contain his excitement. The other patrons of the café warn him to watch out because she belongs to Smokey Joe, the owner of the establishment. The singer then sees Smokey Joe's angry reaction to his interaction with the woman, causing him to decide to never return to the cafe again.
The lyrics of "Smokey Joe's Café" are a commentary on relationships and the dangers of putting oneself in harm's way. The singer faces a dilemma when he meets the woman who catches his eye. He risks the wrath of the owner, Smokey Joe, by expressing an interest in her, and is forced to flee when confronted. This mirrors the real-life challenges that people face when they enter into relationships, often putting themselves in harm's way in order to pursue their desires.
Line by Line Meaning
One day while I was eating beans at Smokey Joe's Cafe
I was casually eating at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Just sittin diggin'all the scenes at Smokey Joes's Cafe
I was enjoying the vibes at Smokey Joe's Cafe
A chick came walkin through the door
A woman entered the cafe
That I had never seen before
I had not seen her previously
At least I never saw her down at Smokey Joe's Cafe
But I had never seen her at this cafe before
And I started shakin'when she sat right down next to me
I got nervous when she sat next to me
Her knees were almost touching mine at Smokey Joe's Cafe
She was sitting very close to me
A chill was running down my spine at Smokey Joe's Cafe
I felt a shiver down my back
I could smell her sweet perfume
I noticed her nice fragrance
She smiled at me my heart went boom
I was excited when she smiled at me
Then everybody in the room at Smokey Joe's Cafe
All the people in the cafe
Said 'Man be careful, that chick belongs to Smokey Joe'
Warned me that she was Smokey Joe's girlfriend
From behind the counter I saw a man
I noticed a man behind the counter
A chef's hat on his head and a knife in his hand
He had a chef's hat on and was holding a knife
He grabbed me by the collar and began to shout
He aggressively grabbed me and started shouting
'You better eat up all your beans, boy and clear right on out.'
Told me to finish eating and leave immediately
I know I'll never eat again at Smokey Joe's Cafe
I have no desire to eat at Smokey Joe's Cafe again
And so we'll never meet again at Smokey Joes's Cafe
I will not see her at Smokey Joe's Cafe again
I'd rather eat my chili beans
I prefer to eat my chili beans
At Jim's or Jack's or John's or Gene's
At other cafes like Jim's, Jack's, John's or Gene's
Then take my chances eating down at Smokey Joe's Cafe
I don't want to risk my safety at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Why risk my life when that Smokey Joe's a crazy fool
I don't want to risk my safety with Smokey Joe who is unpredictable
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Singing sound effect
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Singing sound effect
Waah-aah, at Smokey Joe's Cafe
Singing sound effect
Writer(s): Mike Stoller, Jerry Leiber Copyright: Sony/ATV Tunes LLC
Contributed by Adeline S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Thomas Wateren
Holy god man this song is funky ❤️ why does nobody know this style anymore and produce crap. This needs to come back! Good lord this music is good!!!!
Andy B
checkout pat rayford
Thomas Wateren
@Andy B thanks! Yeeees nice stuff!
Art Redoubt
Great piano and sax, too
HighOnCaffeine1101
I usually don't listen to older songs, but 'School Ties' intro'd me to this song and it totally got stuck in my head XD I LOVE it!
lgood87085
I just heard it 2022, and just saw School Ties
Rita Bailey
Same
James DelCol
This music was like when my parents were dating. I picture them dancing as young people. It was a really great time. Even though race relations were still not good in 55'. These musicians went out there and they loved their music. Impeccable music. This track was in "Heaven Help Us". This was a movie that really shows this time period. This is how a café was in NYC 1955. There was culture there that was pretty cool. The country was still young. Race relations were still not right at all. That movement was almost nowhere in 55'. They had just started the Civil Rights Movement in 54'.
Great song.
Marvin Smith
This has got to be the epitome of gospel and rhythm and blues, just listen to the funk oozing off the walls.
Andrew j wheeler jr
They have the coasters vibe wow amazing harmonies of voices truly brilliant at Smokie Joe's cafe 😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎.