Smokey Joe’s Cafe

song by Leiber and Stoller

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July 16, 2026

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"Smokey Joe's Cafe" is a novelty song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, a highly successful American songwriting and record-producing duo. The song was originally performed by the Robins, who later became The Coasters. The Coasters were known for their witty, story-telling songs that appealed to teenage audiences in the 1950s. "Smokey Joe's Cafe" was one of their early novelty songs that helped establish their unique style. Leiber and Stoller were instrumental in shaping rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll music, producing hits for numerous artists and leaving a significant mark on popular music.12

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the Coasters
9” and “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”). In 1955, with a change in personnel (most notably the loss of Richard Berry, who would later write the rock classic “Louie, Louie”), they became the Coasters. The group had a series of rock-and-roll hits—largely for Atlantic Records’ subsidiary label Atco—with witty…
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9” and “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”). In 1955, with a change in personnel (most notably the loss of Richard Berry, who would later write the rock classic “Louie, Louie”), they became the Coasters. The group had a series of rock-and-roll hits—largely for Atlantic Records’ subsidiary label Atco—with witty…
Read More