About the Song
Written and performed by Sheb Wooley, “Purple People Eater” debuted in May 1958 and spent six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — one of the best-selling singles of the year. It was inspired by a joke and almost never released.
Wooley was also a character actor, appearing in High Noon (1952) and Rawhide (1959–65), and a country comedian recording as Ben Colder.
#1 Hit — 1958
Novelty Genre
Rock & Roll Era
Sheb Wooley
Lyrics
Verse 1
Well, I saw the thing comin’ out of the skyIt had the one long horn, one big eye
I commenced to shakin’ and I said, “ooh-wee”
It looks like a purple people eater to me
Chorus
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eaterOne-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me (one eye?)
Verse 2
Well, he came down to earth and he lit in a treeI 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”
Chorus
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eaterOne-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me (one horn?)
Verse 3
I said, “Mr. Purple People Eater, what’s your line?”He said, “Eatin’ purple people, and it sure is fine”
But the strangest thing was the look on his face
Poor old purple people eater wanted to play
Chorus
Well, he said, “I’m a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eaterOne-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
And I play rock and roll music, too”
Verse 4
And then he swung into action and he started to playSat beside him in the band and he started to sway
He had a little horn that went toot-toot-toot
And it went “well bless my soul, he can really scoot”
Chorus
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eaterOne-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Playing rock and roll music through the horn
Verse 5
Well, he went on his way and then what do ya knowI saw him last night on a TV show
He was blowing it out, really knockin’ em dead
Playin’ rock and roll music through the horn in his head
Final Chorus
It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eaterOne-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
A one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater
Sure looks strange to me!
Written & Performed by Sheb Wooley — 1958