About the song
“Charlie Brown” is a classic song that captivated audiences in the spring of 1959. Written by the talented duo Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, it became a major hit for The Coasters, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This song managed to hold the No. 1 spot in Canada, marking a significant achievement for the group.
The song’s enduring appeal is largely due to its memorable and catchy refrain, “Why’s everybody always pickin’ on me?” This line has resonated with listeners for decades, giving the song a timeless quality. It was the first of three top-ten hits for The Coasters that year, showcasing their unique blend of humor and rhythm.
Jerry Leiber once shared that writing “Charlie Brown” was a challenging yet rewarding experience. After the success of their previous hit, “Yakety Yak,” Leiber thought creating new songs would be easier. However, he faced difficulty finding inspiration. It was only when he thought of the name “Charlie Brown” that the creative process began to flow. With Mike Stoller’s melodic ideas and Leiber’s storytelling, they brought the character of Charlie Brown to life.
In the production of the song, some innovative techniques were used. For example, the phrase “Yeah, You!” was recorded at half speed to achieve a higher pitch when played back. Additionally, King Curtis played the tenor saxophone, adding a rich instrumental layer to the song. The most well-known version of “Charlie Brown” is in mono, but there are also stereo versions available, which feature slightly different vocals.
“Charlie Brown” remains a cherished piece of music history, celebrated for its infectious tune and clever lyrics.
Video
Lyrics
Fe-fe, fi-fi, fo-fo, fum
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?)
That’s him on his knees, I know that’s him
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?)