Miss Sheb terribly. He was my Dad's best friend growing up in Oklahoma. He used to visit us in Alaska where he'd have us perform in his shows. As a little girl he'd put me on his boots and dance with me. I didn't understand him being "famous". I thought everybody gave out autographs lol. One day my Dad's boss came over while Sheb was there and I asked him why nobody wanted his autograph. All he said was, "Out of the mouths of babes" which I did not understand at the time. Sheb was the most down to earth man you'd ever want to meet. Miss him writing songs in our living room. Was really confused when he wrote, "Don't go near the Eskimos" lol. I miss you Sheb and I Pray I 'll see you again one day.
then you had a shitty music teacher or you just didnt pay attention because mine explained the history of the song before we sang any song. that was the most interesting part of that class...
The year this was a hit (I was 7) my sister and I played with the purple people eater monster toy that was manufactured for kids. We chased each other around the yard with it. We also used our hoola hoops while the song was being played. Anyone out there did that??? The 50s were great.
+Isabelle TheCat I was 7 as well, my little brothers and I sang and played out this song every time that it out on WALM AM in Albion...I'd like to think that it was just the other day....and to think that Sheb was also on Rawhide as well... ;-)
Lyrics 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, 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? He said "eatin' purple people and it sure is fine But that's not the reason that I came to land I want to get a job in a rock and roll band" Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin' purple people eater Pigeon-toed, under-growed, flyin' purple people eater (We wear short shorts) friendly little people eater What a sight to see (oh!) And then he swung from the tree and he lit on the ground And he started to rock, really rockin' around It was a crazy ditty with a swingin' tune (Sing a boop-boop, a-boopa lopa lum bam boom) Well, bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin' purple people eater Pigeon-toed, under growed, flyin' purple people eater "I like short shorts!" flyin' purple people eater What 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, really knockin' em dead Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in his head "Tequila!"
This was not his only #1 U.S. hit. "That's My Pa" was #1 in 1962 on the Country charts. He also had several hits as Ben Colder. As an actor he was the dredded Ben Miller in High Noon. He was in the opening scene.
I almost never missed Dr. Demento, and I used to tape it on my little radio. I was obsessive about comedy (still am) and the thought that I'd missed years of his show before "Fish Heads" came out was upsetting. He ought to have a Dr. Demento's Greatest Hits box set or something. :-)
Both my husband and I remember this from our childhood. There were lots of silly songs like this back then that became hits. We were talking about purple people eaters yesterday and we could not remember all the words to the song. Came here to refresh my memory. One eyed, one horn, flying, and pigeon toed. Loves to sing rock and roll. A good memory. I think I will look up songs "Tie me kangaroo down, mate" and "In the jungle, the mighty jungle,..." also. They both have nonsense words in the choruses.
"The Purple People Eater" is a novelty song written and performed by Sheb Wooley, which reached No. 1 in the Billboard pop charts in 1958 from June 9 to July 14,
A #1 hit by Sheb Wooley in June 1958. Sheb, it's so hard to believe that it has been 8 years since you left us. Thank you for the memories. You gave us so much.
This track still makes me laugh all these years later even with all the fancy special effects in movies you can still create a picture of the purple eater in your mind. Thanks for posting!
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency brought me here!! I love the show i wish they had a 3rd season!! I heard this song in that show in season 2 and it is stuck in my head!!!!
🤪😛😜😅🇺🇸💯😎When this came out, local Radio Station played this for 24 hours STRAIGHT, using EVERY bit of MAGIC they could think of! Fast, Slow, Backwards, Forward, using 3 or 4 speeds, 78 ROM, 45 RPM, 33 RPM, etc.! They took requests, they synced 2 or more together, on forward, on backwards, YOU NAME IT! WE WERE A SMALL TOWN AND THIS WAS FANTABULOUS! Tanks for DA memories!
Sheb Wooley was only 37 when he had this number 1 hit, He looks about 70 in this video I'm pretty sure this clip is from Dick Clark's Saturday Night Show
Heard this on Sirrus Radio 50s Gold today and I was sent back to my early teenage years!!!! Tonight I found it on RUclips and played it for my husband. He loved it too! Brought back fun memories!!
I was 9 yrs old when that song came out. I knew it by heart. As an adult I worked a show with Sheb who was 70 yrs old and still performing. I found him to be pleasant and witty. He drove a Cadillac with a personalized license plate; ' PURPLE'.
On this day in 1959 {January 9th} the television western series 'Rawhide' had its premiere on the CBS-TV network... The series ran for eight seasons with 217 episodes... Sheb Wooley*, who played cowpoke Pete Nolan, appeared in 110 episodes... Eight months earlier on May 25th, 1958 Sheb Wooley's "The Purple People Eater" became the Best Selling record in the U.S. according to Billboard Magazine, and remained the best seller for six consecutive weeks... And on March 11th, 1962 he reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart with "That's My Pa"... * He also released records under the name Ben Colder; and in 1962 his "Almost Persuaded No. 2" reached #6 on the Country Singles chart...
School brought me for practice for a Halloween musical we’re doing this Holloween. Also the FPPE had a gruff voice and this was shorter for the musical.
+MrMigiani He looked older than that though but even 37 was pretty old at that time for someone to sing Rock & Roll songs. He was more of a Country singer anyway.
Sheb was raised with my Dad in Oklahoma. He used to come stay with us up in Alaska. I always thought there was something wrong with my Parents other friends since no one asked for their autographs. Sheb was a HOOT and always included us in his shows. I'll never forget him putting me on his boots and dancing with me.
I remember my mother telling me that this was the first record she ever bought. I guess she must've really liked it, because she was 8 at the time and I know my grandparents didn't have a lot of money because they were living in the Fort Greene projects in Bklyn, N.Y.
I watch Sheb on Raw Hide, he seems to be the coolest person. I can imagine him watching Purple People Eater and said to himself, what the hell was I thinking. His friends must have teased him for years. Poor guy.
I was only 4. But that song has stuck with me ever since. Judy Garland covered it, but her arranger was the worst EVER! ruclips.net/video/Ir_jXG1SAFE/видео.html&ab_channel=ImInBetween
On this day in 1958 {July 27th} Sheb Wooley performed "The Purple People Eater" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'... It peaked at #1 {for 6 weeks} on Billboard's Best Selling in Stores chart on May 25th, 1958, and it was only its second week on the chart... And the week it reached #1 there was another novelty song on the Top 10; "Witch Doctor" by David Seville was at #3 on the Best Sellers chart... R.I.P. Shelby F. Wooley {1921 - 2003} and David Seville, aka Rostom Sipan 'Ross' Bagdasarian, {1919 - 1972}...
my art teacher plays this song every day. so my whole class made a dance to it. it gets us all goin durin 1st hour. probably my other teachers dont like it but oh well. i love it
I was ten years old. I still love this song. I’m now 72
My grandpa used to sing me this song to cheer me up, now I come here to listen to it whenever I feel down to remind me of his smile and warm hugs
Found out something interesting... Sheb Wooley was the man who voiced the now famous "Wilhelm Scream" heard in so many movies since the 1950's
Can't wait to bust this one out next time I hear 'the scream.' Thanks!
Great fact, thanks for sharing.
.......Well, whaddya know!🤔
That scream is still used today.
He also played Ben Miller, in the Gary Cooper classic, " High Noon"!
Miss Sheb terribly. He was my Dad's best friend growing up in Oklahoma. He used to visit us in Alaska where he'd have us perform in his shows. As a little girl he'd put me on his boots and dance with me. I didn't understand him being "famous". I thought everybody gave out autographs lol. One day my Dad's boss came over while Sheb was there and I asked him why nobody wanted his autograph. All he said was, "Out of the mouths of babes" which I did not understand at the time. Sheb was the most down to earth man you'd ever want to meet. Miss him writing songs in our living room. Was really confused when he wrote, "Don't go near the Eskimos" lol. I miss you Sheb and I Pray I 'll see you again one day.
Proud of him being from Oklahoma!
Thank you for sharing this story.
sheb died 2003 sorry to say
GREAT story - thanks for sharing!
First song I remember singing.
they made us sing this in third grade I didn't know it was a real song
then you had a shitty music teacher or you just didnt pay attention because mine explained the history of the song before we sang any song. that was the most interesting part of that class...
mine was a bit of both
***** well then who the fuck are you to say I had a shitty music teacher, just because yours went in a different direction with the class?
***** Dennis: I remember it being a fun class, thanks.
obscure reference yea me too
My childhood brought me here
First comment in 5 years, you're welcome
I was 12 when this came out
My dad brought me here
Vsause brought me here
Imagine having a childhood
I always liked this song; I was 5 years old when it first came out!! Loved Sheb Wooley on Rawhide!!
Have always loved this song . I was 10 when this came out and my Mom bought the little 45 for me I still have the record
I wish I could play rock‘n roll music through a horn in my head. What a great story.
I was 6 when this was released but ended up becoming a theme song 48 yrs later. Thanks for sharing this classic.
I've been watching Rawhide reruns all this time, and never knew he did this song ! I am astounded and impressed.
I was a out to ask if he played I Rawhide.
The man who created the Wilhelm Scream also sings this song and becomes his one and only hit.
What a world.
I was 11 when this came out, it was a very big hit!!Sheb Wooley was also in the cast of Rawhide, with Clint Eastwwod!!!
The year this was a hit (I was 7) my sister and I played with the purple people eater monster toy that was manufactured for kids. We chased each other around the yard with it. We also used our hoola hoops while the song was being played. Anyone out there did that??? The 50s were great.
me an sister did the same thing it was great i wouldn't trade those years for anything
+THOR Price Neither would I. Those were wonderful days.
+Isabelle TheCat agreed
+Isabelle TheCat I was 7 as well, my little brothers and I sang and played out this song every time that it out on WALM AM in Albion...I'd like to think that it was just the other day....and to think that Sheb was also on Rawhide as well... ;-)
+Starrman69 We were living in West Seattle at the time. That was too long ago!
I remember my teacher performing this song, and the class singing along to this at my primary school in year 2 :)
Sounds like a cool teacher and cool school!
Imagine little Karl sitting in the backseat waiting exhilarated for this song to start! xD
Lyrics
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, 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?
He said "eatin' purple people and it sure is fine
But that's not the reason that I came to land
I want to get a job in a rock and roll band"
Well bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin' purple people eater
Pigeon-toed, under-growed, flyin' purple people eater
(We wear short shorts) friendly little people eater
What a sight to see (oh!)
And then he swung from the tree and he lit on the ground
And he started to rock, really rockin' around
It was a crazy ditty with a swingin' tune
(Sing a boop-boop, a-boopa lopa lum bam boom)
Well, bless my soul, rock and roll, flyin' purple people eater
Pigeon-toed, under growed, flyin' purple people eater
"I like short shorts!" flyin' purple people eater
What 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, really knockin' em dead
Playin' rock and roll music through the horn in his head
"Tequila!"
This is one of my all time favorite Halloween songs! Go Purple People Eaters!
2020, still listening to this song. so classic
"it's a playlist...of all the songs i hear in my head when i think of you" 💕
Such a wonderful, fun song from the wonderful fun days of long ago. Nostalgia can be so painful yet hearing this song makes it all feel better. :)
This was not his only #1 U.S. hit. "That's My Pa" was #1 in 1962 on the Country charts. He also had several hits as Ben Colder.
As an actor he was the dredded Ben Miller in High Noon. He was in the opening scene.
One of the many songs I enjoyed on Dr. Demento's syndicated program in K. C. Mo. in the 70s.
I almost never missed Dr. Demento, and I used to tape it on my little radio. I was obsessive about comedy (still am) and the thought that I'd missed years of his show before "Fish Heads" came out was upsetting. He ought to have a Dr. Demento's Greatest Hits box set or something. :-)
Both my husband and I remember this from our childhood. There were lots of silly songs like this back then that became hits. We were talking about purple people eaters yesterday and we could not remember all the words to the song. Came here to refresh my memory. One eyed, one horn, flying, and pigeon toed. Loves to sing rock and roll. A good memory. I think I will look up songs "Tie me kangaroo down, mate" and "In the jungle, the mighty jungle,..." also. They both have nonsense words in the choruses.
Witch Doctor has nonsense words too. Ooo eee ooo aa aa, ding dang (or ting tang?) qualla walla bing bang...
Boy those days were great!!
"They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" Is another good one.
Sheb Wooley passed away on this date in 2003. {Apr. 10th}
May he R.I.P.
Purple ppl eater got him in the end
dr. demento brought me here...i remember hearing this song back in the late 80's-early 90's because my dad remembered it from his childhood...awesome!
I heard iit on Dr. Demento also in the 70s and 80s
i have loved this song since i was a child
ewwwww
ewwwww
"The Purple People Eater" is a novelty song written and performed by Sheb Wooley, which reached No. 1 in the Billboard pop charts in 1958 from June 9 to July 14,
Music in the fifties used to be so much fun. Remember "The Thing"?
James Arness was the Thing 🤣🤣
I used to have a 45 rpm of 'The Thing" by Burl Ives. It ended up being his mother-in-law, as I recall. ;)
@@charlesjones6484 I'm Jealous! That's terrific 😎😘Thanks ✌️👌 👍✋ 💞💕 💕💕 💕
To me music from the 50s is still so much fun, what do you mean?
Phil Harris had the bigger hit of the song.
I grew up with this song and used to sing it to my daughter when she was little. It brings back some very good and fond memories
Glad PBN showed me this song
Proof that you don't necessarily need to take your time to do stuff. This awesome song was written in one hour.
he should have done The WILHELM Scream in this song
Such a classic
First comment in 3 years, you're welcome
Well, Pegboard Nerds did it in 2018.
A #1 hit by Sheb Wooley in June 1958. Sheb, it's so hard to believe that it has been 8 years since you left us. Thank you for the memories. You gave us so much.
This track still makes me laugh all these years later even with all the fancy special effects in movies you can still create a picture of the purple eater in your mind. Thanks for posting!
My grandma was 17 when this hit came out
Was my favorite song when I was a little kid.. jumping around singing it.. good stuff 😎👍
My favorite childhood song too, (along with my MAD record!) I still jump around singing to it at 62, when nobody's looking!
I was in 1st grade when this came out and my granddaughter sings it today on her school bus
My dad made me come here to play it for him cuz he randomly remembered it 😭
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency brought me here!! I love the show i wish they had a 3rd season!! I heard this song in that show in season 2 and it is stuck in my head!!!!
IT'S NOT THE BOY ! IT'S NOT THE BOY ! IT'S NOT THE BOY !
First comment in a year, you're welcome
Infant Male Francis Pollock, when you know you know
What?
Why is a monster here??
Dirk Gently
🤪😛😜😅🇺🇸💯😎When this came out, local Radio Station played this for 24 hours STRAIGHT, using EVERY bit of MAGIC they could think of! Fast, Slow, Backwards, Forward, using 3 or 4 speeds, 78 ROM, 45 RPM, 33 RPM, etc.!
They took requests, they synced 2 or more together, on forward, on backwards, YOU NAME IT!
WE WERE A SMALL TOWN AND THIS WAS FANTABULOUS!
Tanks for DA memories!
Sheb Wooley was only 37 when he had this number 1 hit, He looks about 70 in this video I'm pretty sure this clip is from Dick Clark's Saturday Night Show
Pretty sure my grandpa sang or played this song to me because it has been in my head since childhood at random times I’m 34 now lol
This guy loves it.
He's like "This is it. This is the one I'll be remembered for".
Sheb Wooley: (WILHELM SCREAM)
Just a country boy from Erick, Oklahoma. Good job Sheb! R.I.P man.
Sheb was great on "Rawhide".
The oldies station 'round here only plays this at Halloween. It's a shame, cuz I like this song better than ever.
TEQUILA!
DIRK GENTLY BROUGHT ME HERE :O !!!
First comment in a year, you're welcome
Heard this on Sirrus Radio 50s Gold today and I was sent back to my early teenage years!!!! Tonight I found it on RUclips and played it for my husband. He loved it too! Brought back fun memories!!
"Well I saw the thing coming out of the sky,
it had one long horn and one big eye,
I commenced to shakin' and I said...
AAghAGH!!"
1993 was the shit mama feb 26 this year
Just time to revisit the childhood haunts. What fun...
Pegboard nerds 60 years later: '' Yeah let's turn this into a Dubstep version''
I was 9 yrs old when that song came out. I knew it by heart. As an adult I worked a show with Sheb who was 70 yrs old and still performing. I found him to be pleasant and witty. He drove a Cadillac with a personalized license plate; ' PURPLE'.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. also the book 11/22/63
On this day in 1959 {January 9th} the television western series 'Rawhide' had its premiere on the CBS-TV network...
The series ran for eight seasons with 217 episodes...
Sheb Wooley*, who played cowpoke Pete Nolan, appeared in 110 episodes...
Eight months earlier on May 25th, 1958 Sheb Wooley's "The Purple People Eater" became the Best Selling record in the U.S. according to Billboard Magazine, and remained the best seller for six consecutive weeks...
And on March 11th, 1962 he reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart with "That's My Pa"...
* He also released records under the name Ben Colder; and in 1962 his "Almost Persuaded No. 2" reached #6 on the Country Singles chart...
Sheb Wooley is the prime suspect of the creator of the Wilhelm scream; the sound you hear most often when someone screams in a movie.
my grandma had the tape that had this song and we would listen to it all the time and i was 6 and that was about 12 years ago =]
Thanks to Ricky, Steve, Karl & XFM for getting this song in my head !
I came here to teach my kid about this old song. Pure Americana here.
Dirk Gently People We Need A Hug!
I was in nursery school about 5 years old when I heard this song. brings back so many memories.
The Ricky Gervais Show XFM series 2 episode 22 17:00 Brought me here
had a big muuuh and he had a big nurrrr...
Man moth?
Lee Laldee me too lol
Do you know who it's by? Do you know who it's by?
Same!
I listened to this in preschool.. I'm 15 now!
School brought me for practice for a Halloween musical we’re doing this Holloween. Also the FPPE had a gruff voice and this was shorter for the musical.
only knew the chorus to this song and me and my friend randomly started singing today now ii know the whole song :)
OMG this song is real, I thought it was made just for Dirk Gently :D
I used to listen to this with my grandmother
Sheb Wooley looked pretty old to sing a Rock & Roll song in 1958 but this song's a great and fun 50's oldie!
+rockinron40 he was 37 though
+MrMigiani He looked older than that though but even 37 was pretty old at that time for someone to sing Rock & Roll songs. He was more of a Country singer anyway.
OMG WE HAD TO SING THIS SONG IN YR 1 😩😩😩
This song is sooo funny! Good for hiarious moments.😂😅😂😁😀
i got here because i like old songs :D cause they never get bad :D
Anyone came here directly from Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency?
yeup! too bad its now cancelled because nobody knew it was airing outside the states, or in them
Yep ;)
Rupaul's Dragrace actually. But had to think of Dirk Gently anyway.
No lol
What? No way they cancelled it it just came to Netflix and it is awesome.... why would they cancel? :(
My grandpa sings this song since I am a fan of the Vikings and they used to be the purple people eaters
I came here form Brittany's playlist for Santana in Glee....
OMG SAME
My kids didn’t believe it was a real song until I made them listen to it
It is connected!!!
Sheb's connection to Roger Miller tells of why Roger
Was a somewhat twisted writer and performer...awesome
Who’s here from Nope
One of the all time great novelty songs.
This is how "Sexy And I Know It" will sound to the future generations
damn time flew by
😂😂😂
You mean it's wrong that is my alarm in the morning?
this and witch doctor were the popular songs while I was in first grade.
2019 any one like
hola
Sheb was raised with my Dad in Oklahoma. He used to come stay with us up in Alaska. I always thought there was something wrong with my Parents other friends since no one asked for their autographs. Sheb was a HOOT and always included us in his shows. I'll never forget him putting me on his boots and dancing with me.
I remember my mother telling me that this was the first record she ever bought. I guess she must've really liked it, because she was 8 at the time and I know my grandparents didn't have a lot of money because they were living in the Fort Greene projects in Bklyn, N.Y.
My memories way back when
I watch Sheb on Raw Hide, he seems to be the coolest person. I can imagine him watching Purple People Eater and said to himself, what the hell was I thinking. His friends must have teased him for years. Poor guy.
Just heard a version of this on hols in Minorca poor old Shep would be rock and rolling in his grave bless him.
Anyone here cause of Pegboard Nerds?
it's probably coming out Monday!
AxaSil Music me!
High five dude ^^
Just came out and it's soo good
Yes, sure did
My 4 year old and I rock out to this and Monster Mash annually during Halloween season!
man dirk gently is pretty good
Alex Donald knew I couldn't be the only one. Btw that scene was so weird... how can anything be both so funny and creepy at the same time?
Found the Dirk Comment. What do I win?
My dad sang this a few times to me, so silly but nostalgic!
@207nkf wow thats strange, im sitting next to a man who was 11 when this came out LOL
I hope they're ok with all the cover stuff going on
I was only 4. But that song has stuck with me ever since.
Judy Garland covered it, but her arranger was the worst EVER!
ruclips.net/video/Ir_jXG1SAFE/видео.html&ab_channel=ImInBetween
I was 7.
I was 11 when it came out, too. 😁
@@pamelalaub6204 I was in 3rd grade and performed it for Show and Tell! 🎭 (I have lost my childhood enthusiasm 😢)
On this day in 1958 {July 27th} Sheb Wooley performed "The Purple People Eater" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
It peaked at #1 {for 6 weeks} on Billboard's Best Selling in Stores chart on May 25th, 1958, and it was only its second week on the chart...
And the week it reached #1 there was another novelty song on the Top 10; "Witch Doctor" by David Seville was at #3 on the Best Sellers chart...
R.I.P. Shelby F. Wooley {1921 - 2003} and David Seville, aka Rostom Sipan 'Ross' Bagdasarian, {1919 - 1972}...
Dirk Gently brought me here
We had a purple people eater day at school. We had to wear purple, the song was played on the speakers, and we had to sing it during choir 😂
112263 brought me here
my art teacher plays this song every day. so my whole class made a dance to it. it gets us all goin durin 1st hour. probably my other teachers dont like it but oh well. i love it
WOW! Where in the world did you find this??!!!!
This was one of the first rock and roll so called rock and roll records I heard in my mum's collection on 78 When I Was Little