About the song
Sheb Wooley’s “Purple People Eater” is a novelty song that became a massive hit in 1958. The song’s quirky lyrics, catchy melody, and Wooley’s humorous delivery made it a cultural phenomenon.
The song’s intro immediately sets the stage with a playful, upbeat rhythm. Wooley’s distinctive, high-pitched voice then comes in, delivering the lyrics with a sense of childlike wonder. The lyrics tell the story of a mysterious creature called the Purple People Eater that terrorizes a small town.
One of the song’s most memorable aspects is its infectious chorus, which features the line, “Purple People Eater.” The chorus’s repetitive refrain further reinforces the song’s central theme of the creature’s menacing nature.
The song’s production is simple yet effective, with Wooley’s vocals taking center stage. The arrangement allows his voice to shine, while the instrumental accompaniment provides a solid foundation for the song.
“Purple People Eater” is a testament to the power of novelty songs to capture the public’s imagination. Its quirky lyrics, catchy melody, and Wooley’s humorous performance have made it a beloved classic that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to Wooley’s talent and his ability to create music that transcends time and genre.
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Lyrics
Well I saw the thing comin’ out of the sky
It had the one long horn, and one big eye
I commenced to shakin’ and I said “Ooh-eee”
It looks like a purple people eater to me
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
(One-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater)
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me (one eye?)
Well he came down to earth and he laid in the tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, don’t eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
“I wouldn’t eat you ’cause you’re so tough”
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
One-eyed, one-horned flyin’ purple people eater
One-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me (one horn?)
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, what’s your line?
And he said, “Eatin’ purple people and it sure is fine”
But that’s not the reason that I came to land
“I wanna get a job in a rock and roll band”
Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin’ purple people eater
Pigeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin’ purple people eater
(We wear short shorts)
Friendly little people eater
What a sight to see
And then he swung from the tree and he laid on the ground
And he started to rock, really rockin’ around
It was a crazy ditty with a swingin’ tune
“Sing a bop-bop aboopa-lopa, loom bam-boom”
Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin’ purple people eater
Pigeon-toed, undergrowed, flyin’ purple people eater
“I like short shorts”
Flyin’ purple people eater
Quite a sight to see (purple people?)
Well he went on his way, and then what do ya know
I saw him last night on a TV show
He was blowing it out, a-really knockin’ em dead
Playin’ rock and roll music through the horn in his head