About the song
“Searchin'” is a classic song by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, crafted specifically for the popular group known as the Coasters. Released as a single in March 1957 by Atco Records, the song quickly captured the public’s attention. It topped the R&B Chart for an impressive twelve weeks and climbed to number three on the Billboard singles chart, marking a significant moment in the Coasters’ career.
Before “Searchin’,” the Coasters had enjoyed success on the R&B charts, but this song, along with its B-side “Young Blood,” truly launched them into rock and roll stardom. The song’s distinctive style helped to shape the rock and roll genre.
The composition of “Searchin'” features clever lyrics by Leiber, which use everyday language to tell a captivating story. The song’s narrative centers on a singer who is determined to find his beloved, even if it means taking on the role of a detective. To add a playful touch, the lyrics mention famous fictional and historical law-enforcement figures, such as Sherlock Holmes and the Mounties.
Billy Guy, the Coasters’ lead singer, delivers the song with a raw, compelling intensity. The music is driven by a strong piano rhythm that alternates bass notes on every second beat, giving the song its energetic feel.
At its core, “Searchin'” is about the relentless pursuit of love, expressed through the straightforward but memorable refrain: “Well, I’m searching, Yeah I’m gonna find her.” The repeated phrases emphasize the singer’s commitment to finding his love, making it a timeless anthem of dedication and determination.
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Lyrics
Yeah, i’ve been searchin’
Ah-a, searchin’
Oh yeah, searchin’ every which a’way yay-yay
Oh yeah, searchin’
Ah-a, searchin’
Searchin’ every which a’way yay-yay
But i’m like the Northwest mountie
You know i’ll bring her in some day
(Gonna find her)
(Gonna find her)
Well now if i have to swim a river
You know I will
A-and if i have to climb a mountain
You know i will
A-and if she’s hiding up on a blueberry hill
Am i gonna find her?
Child, you know i will
‘Cause i’ve been searchin’
Oh yeah, searchin’
My goodness
Searchin’ every which a’way yay-yay
But i’m like the Northwest mountie
You know i’ll bring her in some day
Well Sherlock Holmes
Sam Spade got nothing
Child, on me
Seargent Friday
Charlie Chan
And Boston Blackie
No matter where she’s hiding
She’s gonna hear me coming
Gonna walk right down that street
Like Bulldog Drummond
‘Cause i’ve been searchin’
Oh Lord now, searchin’
Mmm child, searchin’ every which a’way yay-yay
But i’m like the Northwest mountie
You know i’ll bring her in some day