Charlie Brown (song)
Encyclopedia
"Charlie Brown" is a popular Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
song that was a top-ten hit for The Coasters
in the spring of 1959 (released in January, coupled with "Three Cool Cats
," Atco 6132). It went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
singles charts, and was the first of three top-ten hits for the Coasters that year. It is best known for the phrase, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
Towards the end of the bridge of the song, the words "Yeah, You!" were recorded at half speed, so the voices would play back at a higher pitch. King Curtis
plays the tenor saxophone during the instrumental and the fade out of the record.
There is no connection between this song and the character Charlie Brown
from the comic strip Peanuts
, though the PBS special American Masters: Charles Schulz seems to suggest a connection.
There have been over 80 versions of the song recorded, including one by British comedy actor Bernard Bresslaw
and a German language
version (as "Charly Brown") by Hans Blum
, both in 1959. Deep River Boys
with Mikkel Flagstad's orchestra recorded their version in Oslo
on August 25, 1960; it was released on the extended play
En aften på "Casino Non Stop" 1960 (HMV 7EGN 36). Guy Mitchell
released a cover version of this song. In 1995, the song was recorded in a ska-punk version by Voodoo Glow Skulls
, on their album Firme
.
, in which high school students mock the surname of a new teacher, Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford
), changing "Dadier" to "Daddy-o," a then-current slang term (usually genial) for a male friend or a father.
, though in the film it is miscredited to The Platters
rather than The Coasters
.
In the film Jack, the title character (played by Robin Williams
) and his friends, including his teacher (played by Bill Cosby
), sing this song in their tree house. The weight in the tree house is so great with the kids and the two adult-sized people that the tree house starts to creak. While they are singing the song, a butterfly lands on the tree house and the house collapses. Once they are on the ground, Jack uses the tag line of the song and says, "Why is everybody always fallin' on me?"
The song was included in the musical revue, Smokey Joe's Cafe
.
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
song that was a top-ten hit for The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
in the spring of 1959 (released in January, coupled with "Three Cool Cats
Three Cool Cats
"Three Cool Cats" is a 1958 song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally recorded by The Coasters and released as the B-side of their hit single, "Charlie Brown"....
," Atco 6132). It went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
singles charts, and was the first of three top-ten hits for the Coasters that year. It is best known for the phrase, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?"
Towards the end of the bridge of the song, the words "Yeah, You!" were recorded at half speed, so the voices would play back at a higher pitch. King Curtis
King Curtis
Curtis Ousley , who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophone virtuoso known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer...
plays the tenor saxophone during the instrumental and the fade out of the record.
There is no connection between this song and the character Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown
Charles "Charlie" Brown is the protagonist in the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.Charlie Brown and his creator have a common connection in that they are both the sons of barbers, but whereas Schulz's work is described as the "most shining example of the American success story", Charlie...
from the comic strip Peanuts
Peanuts
Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz, which ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward...
, though the PBS special American Masters: Charles Schulz seems to suggest a connection.
There have been over 80 versions of the song recorded, including one by British comedy actor Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw
Bernard Bresslaw was an English actor. He is best remembered for his comedy work, especially as a member of the Carry On team.-Biography:...
and a German language
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
version (as "Charly Brown") by Hans Blum
Henry Valentino
Hans Blum , more widely known as "Henry Valentino", is a German singer-songwriter. Henry Valentino is widely known in Germany for his distinct musical style, which has been the inspiration of a whole generation of German musicians....
, both in 1959. Deep River Boys
Deep River Boys
The Deep River Boys were an American gospel music group active from the mid 1930s and into the 1980s. The group performed spirituals, gospel, and R&B.-Members:...
with Mikkel Flagstad's orchestra recorded their version in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
on August 25, 1960; it was released on the extended play
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
En aften på "Casino Non Stop" 1960 (HMV 7EGN 36). Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell, born Albert George Cernik, was an American pop singer, successful in his homeland, the U.K. and Australia...
released a cover version of this song. In 1995, the song was recorded in a ska-punk version by Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California by brothers Frank, Eddie and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill...
, on their album Firme
Firme
Firme is the second studio album by Voodoo Glow Skulls. Released on October 10, 1995, it is the band's first release on Epitaph Records. "Firme" is chicano slang meaning "cool" or "hot"...
.
Lyrics
The lyric "Who calls the English teacher 'Daddy-o'?" is most likely a reference to the 1955 film Blackboard JungleBlackboard Jungle
Blackboard Jungle is a 1955 social commentary film about teachers in an inner-city school. It is based on the novel of the same name by Evan Hunter.-Plot:...
, in which high school students mock the surname of a new teacher, Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
), changing "Dadier" to "Daddy-o," a then-current slang term (usually genial) for a male friend or a father.
In pop culture
The song was used in the end credits of the ultra-violent 1980's short film Bring Me the Head of Charlie BrownBring Me the Head of Charlie Brown
Bring Me the Head of Charlie Brown is an animated short directed and animated by Jim Reardon, who would later become director and storyboard consultant for The Simpsons. The cartoon was made in 1986 while he was at CalArts...
, though in the film it is miscredited to The Platters
The Platters
The Platters were a vocal group of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre...
rather than The Coasters
The Coasters
The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group that had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Beginning with "Searchin'" and "Young Blood", their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller...
.
In the film Jack, the title character (played by Robin Williams
Robin Williams
Robin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
) and his friends, including his teacher (played by Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
), sing this song in their tree house. The weight in the tree house is so great with the kids and the two adult-sized people that the tree house starts to creak. While they are singing the song, a butterfly lands on the tree house and the house collapses. Once they are on the ground, Jack uses the tag line of the song and says, "Why is everybody always fallin' on me?"
The song was included in the musical revue, Smokey Joe's Cafe
Smokey Joe's Cafe
Smokey Joe's Cafe is a musical revue showcasing 39 pop standards, including rock and roll, rhythm and blues songs written by songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller...
.