The song, The Purple People Eater tells the story of a strange creature, described as having one-eye, one-horned, and the ability to fly. The creature comes to Earth because it wants to join arock n rollband. The premise of the song was said to have come from a joke told by Wooley's friends child. Wooley created the whole song in just an hour.
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
And then he swung from the tree and he lit on the ground
He started to rock, really rockin around
It was a crazy ditty with a swingin tune
Sing a boop boop aboopa lopa lum 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 little people eater
Sure looks strange to me (Purple People?)
And then 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, areally knockin em dead
Playin rock and roll music through the horn in his head
-- Edited by Possum3 on Wednesday 15th of July 2020 03:43:59 PM
Tony Bev said
05:08 PM Jul 15, 2020
I vaguely remember that song, but not the words
It did have a very catchy tune, especially the bit that went
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin purple people eater One-eyed, one-horned flyin purple people eater
But I am sure, there were not that many words, in that song
Craig1 said
05:55 PM Jul 15, 2020
1958 release, was quite different then and still is. The 17.5" carriage has had a repeat fit and duplicated a few verses. But once again Possum a good read.
You have missed the last little word/line but.
Possum3 said
06:48 PM Jul 15, 2020
Craig1 wrote:
1958 release, was quite different then and still is. The 17.5" carriage has had a repeat fit and duplicated a few verses. But once again Possum a good read. You have missed the last little word/line but.
What line did I miss? From original lyric?
Craig1 said
08:44 AM Jul 16, 2020
" TEQUILA " !!
Possum3 said
11:05 AM Jul 16, 2020
The Tequila exclamation rings some bells in a foggy memory, but I no longer have the record to confirm or deny, Australia had a pretty strict censorship rules in the 50's - is it possible the mention of an alcoholic drink would be cut out on Australian radio? - It is on the 1958 original Film clip however. www.bing.com/videos/search%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3DPurple%2BPeople%2BEater%2BLyrics%26FORM%3DRESTAB
dogbox said
01:13 PM Jul 16, 2020
was that from the the same lot who did "itsy bitsy teeny whinny yellow poka dot bikini"
Possum,
My recollection as a 9 year old then, is that it was played on radio 7BU, out of Burnie in Tassie. with the Teqila closing line. The other great one from that era is " My Friend The Witch Doctor", going o e oo ar, walla walla bing bang ", or close to that. Both songs were played a lot that year. Still get a run on our local 2REM, 107.3 on Saturday Night Juke Box.
The other 1960 classic was Alley Oop Hollywood Argyles "Alley Oop" & Ray Stevens - Alley Oop (1969)
Many other great songs were on the airwaves around those years - Along Came Jones, Guitarzan - Ray Stevens.
Camp Granada was another Allen Sherman hit 1963.
The reasoning behind me posting the Purple People Eater was the fact that it was originally written as a joke & later put to music.
Mobi Condo said
08:59 PM Jul 16, 2020
Hey! Possum 3, thanks for the post. I am going to get the lyrics and the Ukulele music/chords. I love the simplicity of the song. Here is another thought maybe we can camp next to you one night and serenade you with all night!
Cheers Ian
Possum3 said
09:39 PM Jul 16, 2020
Mobi Condo wrote:
Hey! Possum 3, thanks for the post. I am going to get the lyrics and the Ukulele music/chords. I love the simplicity of the song. Here is another thought maybe we can camp next to you one night and serenade you with all night!
Cheers Ian
Ian great idea - I know all the words of most of them by heart - always singing them to the grandkids, along with Tongue Twisters and Risque' ballads about three old ladies, Ivan Skazinzki, Pheasant Pluckers and such.
Craig1 said
09:32 AM Jul 17, 2020
G'day Possum, This is such a great topic they wrote a song about the topic " I started a joke " by the Bee Gees
Possum3 said
09:50 AM Jul 17, 2020
Craig1 wrote:
G'day Possum, This is such a great topic they wrote a song about the topic " I started a joke " by the Bee Gees
I started a joke which started the whole world crying But I didn't see that the joke was on me oh no I started to cry which started the whole world laughing Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me
I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said 'Till I finally died which started the whole world living Oh if I'd only seen that the joke was on me
I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said 'Till I finally died which started the whole world living Oh if I'd only seen that the joke was on me Oh no that the joke was on me
The song, The Purple People Eater tells the story of a strange creature, described as having one-eye, one-horned, and the ability to fly. The creature comes to Earth because it wants to join a rock n roll band. The premise of the song was said to have come from a joke told by Wooley's friends child. Wooley created the whole song in just an hour.
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
Well I saw the thing comin out of the sky
It had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin and I said ooh-eee
It looks like a purple 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 lit in a tree
I said Mr. Purple People Eater, dont eat me
I heard him say in a voice so gruff
I wouldnt eat you cuz youre 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, whats your line
He said its eatin purple people and it sure is fine
But thats 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)
Flyin purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me
And then he swung from the tree and he lit on the ground
He started to rock, really rockin around
It was a crazy ditty with a swingin tune
Sing a boop boop aboopa lopa lum 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 little people eater
Sure looks strange to me (Purple People?)
And then 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, areally knockin em dead
Playin rock and roll music through the horn in his head
-- Edited by Possum3 on Wednesday 15th of July 2020 03:43:59 PM
I vaguely remember that song, but not the words
It did have a very catchy tune, especially the bit that went
You have missed the last little word/line but.
What line did I miss? From original lyric?
My recollection as a 9 year old then, is that it was played on radio 7BU, out of Burnie in Tassie. with the Teqila closing line. The other great one from that era is " My Friend The Witch Doctor", going o e oo ar, walla walla bing bang ", or close to that. Both songs were played a lot that year. Still get a run on our local 2REM, 107.3 on Saturday Night Juke Box.
The other 1960 classic was Alley Oop Hollywood Argyles "Alley Oop" & Ray Stevens - Alley Oop (1969)
Many other great songs were on the airwaves around those years - Along Came Jones, Guitarzan - Ray Stevens.
Camp Granada was another Allen Sherman hit 1963.
The reasoning behind me posting the Purple People Eater was the fact that it was originally written as a joke & later put to music.
Hey! Possum 3, thanks for the post. I am going to get the lyrics and the Ukulele music/chords. I love the simplicity of the song.
Here is another thought maybe we can camp next to you one night and serenade you with all night!
Cheers Ian
Ian great idea - I know all the words of most of them by heart - always singing them to the grandkids, along with Tongue Twisters and Risque' ballads about three old ladies, Ivan Skazinzki, Pheasant Pluckers and such.
I started a joke which started the whole world crying
But I didn't see that the joke was on me oh no
I started to cry which started the whole world laughing
Oh If I'd only seen that the joke was on me
I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finally died which started the whole world living
Oh if I'd only seen that the joke was on me
I looked at the skies running my hands over my eyes
And I fell out of bed hurting my head from things that I said
'Till I finally died which started the whole world living
Oh if I'd only seen that the joke was on me
Oh no that the joke was on me
Songwriters: Barry Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb
© Universal Music Publishing Group