ABSTRACT
Comedy as art and science spans a wide range of forms from screwball and romantic to the more subtle black humor represented by the darker aspects of human nature and behavior. So what makes something funny? The songs of the Coasters, a Los Angeles-based rhythm-and-blues group formed in 1955 and also known as the Clown Princes of Rock and Roll, provide both a blueprint and lyrical panorama of comedy in song. At first listening, we are introduced to the more screwball aspect of comedy, particularly enhanced by their comedic vocal delivery. However, the elements of tragedy, unexpectedness, and unfamiliarity resonate with the listener on a second listening. This chapter explores the comedic discography of the Coasters in terms of lyrical structure, vocal performance, and the songwriting prowess of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who provided the Coasters with their top hits.
