Searchin'

"Searchin'" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller specifically for the Coasters.[1] Atco Records released it as a single in March 1957, which topped the R&B Chart for twelve weeks. It also reached number three on the Billboard singles chart.

For other uses, see Searchin' (disambiguation).
"Searchin'"
Single by the Coasters
from the album The Coasters
A-side"Young Blood"
ReleasedMarch 1957 (1957-03)
RecordedFebruary 15, 1957
GenreRock and roll, R&B
Length2:36
LabelAtco
Songwriter(s)Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Producer(s)Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
The Coasters singles chronology
"One Kiss Led to Another"
(1956)		 "Searchin'"
(1957)		 "Idol with the Golden Head"
(1957)

Although the Coasters had previously done well on the R&B charts, it was "Searchin'" (along with "Young Blood" on the flip side) that sparked the group's rock and roll fame.

Composition

The lyrics, written by Leiber, use vernacular phrasing. The plot revolves around the singer's determination to find his love wherever she may be, even if he must resort to detective work. The song's gimmick was to cite law-enforcement figures from popular culture such as Sherlock Holmes, Charlie Chan, Joe Friday, Sam Spade, Boston Blackie, Bulldog Drummond, and the North-West Mounted Police (the Mounties).[1] The vocals of the Coasters' lead singer Billy Guy are raw and insistent. Driving the song is a pounding piano rhythm of two bass notes alternating on every second beat.[2]

The theme of the song is searching for love: "Well, I'm searching, Yeah I'm gonna find her". The refrain is simple variations of this phrase, "Gonna find her, yeah ah, gonna find her".[1]

The song was recorded in Los Angeles on February 15, 1957; the backing band included Mike Stoller (piano and arrangement), Barney Kessell (guitar), Ralph Harrison (bass), and Jesse Sailes (drums).[3]

Other versions

Johnny Rivers released a version of the song as a medley with "So Fine" which reached number 113 on the U.S. pop chart in 1973.[4]

Singer/songwriter Paul McCartney chose "Searchin'" as one of his Desert Island Discs in 1982. McCartney performed the song with the Beatles during their audition for Decca Records on January 1, 1962 (with somewhat mangled lyrics that included a mention of Peter Gunn).

References
  1. Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 13 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Rock 'n' roll in the late fifties. [Part 3]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  2. Gillett, Charlie (1996). The Rise of Rock and Roll ((2nd Ed.) ed.). New York, N.Y.: Da Capo Press. p. 73. ISBN 0-306-80683-5.
  3. Peter Grendysa and Robert Pruter, Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947-1974 booklet notes (CD edition), Atlantic Records, 1991
  4. "Johnny Rivers, "Searchin'/So Fine" Chart Position". Retrieved August 28, 2018.
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