[Athena E.]

'The Purple People Eater' by Sheb Wooley​

Remember when Sheb Wooley’s ‘The Purple People Eater’ had everyone giggling and singing along? That one-eyed, one-horned flying creature danced its way to the top of the charts, and suddenly, radios were buzzing with its playful tune.

Was it a favourite at family parties? Did you belt it out with your friends? Those silly lyrics and catchy beat were impossible to resist!

Source: All Seasons Music / YouTube​

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

We’d love to hear your memories of this classic hit. Did 'The Purple People Eater' make you laugh, dance, or sing at the top of your lungs? Share your stories with us here!

 

[Mikev]

Yes this is great old novelty song which is still fun to listen to.

 

[starrysnan]

My husband used to DJ and has a life long love of rock n roll, pop and everything else so this was one of the many songs that got frequent airplay at the time. Didn't we live through a great few decades of music?

 

[Loubeauxarts]

That's going to be playing in my head for the rest of the day now

 

[Versatile Vicky]

I loved the song, my oldest brother wanted to call his race car that when he first started speedway but changed it to purple petrol eater instead.LOL