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.
"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,
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...
They made us sing this is in the camps for 4 hours most nights, 7 hours some nights. After 3 weeks about one third of us had collapsed, but they just left their bodies there to rot in the mud. After dinner one night Jones and I made the decision to drag the bodies out toward the portapotties so that the stink would all be contained to one area of the premises but they shot Jones and hung him from the pole in the center of the camp as a warning. They gave me candy and work time off and treated me like royalty so the other stooges(we had to call eachother stooges) would hate me and shun me. For the next 7 weeks or so it worked and i was beaten, tripped, thrown shit at, and completely ostrasized by the other residents until people eventually just left me alone all together. The song rings in my ear still today, every lyric, every verse. The chorus, when i hear it, sends me back to the camps, back to Jones' empty eyes up there on the pole, and i wake in the night screaming, and crying.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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. :-)
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!!
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.
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!"
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... ;-)
I played this for my 13 yr. old son who had never heard this before and he laughed his head off. Thanks for posting. these old songs are out of this world!
🤪😛😜😅🇺🇸💯😎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!
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'.
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
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!!!!
+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.
This came out when I was about 5 yrs old. I wore the record out and drove my parents crazy by playing this song over and over again. Thanks for uploading it.
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.
Many knew him as an actor, but I always loved him for his silly songs. When I was a kid and learning to play guitar, I learned everything of his that played on station KTSA out of San Antonio, Texas. Thanks!
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.
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.
They would play the groves down on this song at chris's hot dog and soada shope in houston texas on alabama street in the 50's what a fun time thank u for the post. Earl
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
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.
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"!
I always liked this song; I was 5 years old when it first came out!! Loved Sheb Wooley on Rawhide!!
My husband love this song. He enjoy singing it tool. Make him remember his youth.
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
"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,
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
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.
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 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
I was 6 when this was released but ended up becoming a theme song 48 yrs later. Thanks for sharing this classic.
My dad used to sing this to me when i was a kid... hell, as an adult, too. i miss him =)
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. :)
"it's a playlist...of all the songs i hear in my head when i think of you" 💕
I wish I could play rock‘n roll music through a horn in my head. What a great story.
They made us sing this is in the camps for 4 hours most nights, 7 hours some nights. After 3 weeks about one third of us had collapsed, but they just left their bodies there to rot in the mud. After dinner one night Jones and I made the decision to drag the bodies out toward the portapotties so that the stink would all be contained to one area of the premises but they shot Jones and hung him from the pole in the center of the camp as a warning. They gave me candy and work time off and treated me like royalty so the other stooges(we had to call eachother stooges) would hate me and shun me. For the next 7 weeks or so it worked and i was beaten, tripped, thrown shit at, and completely ostrasized by the other residents until people eventually just left me alone all together. The song rings in my ear still today, every lyric, every verse. The chorus, when i hear it, sends me back to the camps, back to Jones' empty eyes up there on the pole, and i wake in the night screaming, and crying.
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!
I was in nursery school about 5 years old when I heard this song. brings back so many memories.
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!!!
I haven't heard this song since was a wee kid, omg what great memories now in my 50's
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.
Just a country boy from Erick, Oklahoma. Good job Sheb! R.I.P man.
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
was camping massive storm 7 yrs old scared as hell turned ipod on and listened to this song on loop all night
2020, still listening to this song. so classic
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.
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!
Great Blast From The Past !!!!! Very Nice Video !!!!! Thank You Very Much For The Upload !!!!! Time Sure Flies !!!!!
This is one of my all time favorite Halloween songs! Go Purple People Eaters!
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.
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. :-)
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!!
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!
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.
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!"
Hey this should be on kidstube. This is what we are missing these days. Thanks for sharing.
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 played this for my 13 yr. old son who had never heard this before and he laughed his head off. Thanks for posting. these old songs are out of this world!
i have loved this song since i was a child
ewwwww
ewwwww
🤪😛😜😅🇺🇸💯😎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!
My dad made me come here to play it for him cuz he randomly remembered it 😭
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
Glad PBN showed me this song
My kids didn’t believe it was a real song until I made them listen to it
Sheb Wooley passed away on this date in 2003. {Apr. 10th}
May he R.I.P.
Purple ppl eater got him in the end
I was 7 in June 58 when this came out and always loved it.
Imagine little Karl sitting in the backseat waiting exhilarated for this song to start! xD
OMG this brings back memories!!! i used to dance around and sing this song with my momma, this song and a few others lmao
This guy loves it.
He's like "This is it. This is the one I'll be remembered for".
My grandma used to sing this to me when I was little I miss those days
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 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'.
X-Men 97' who else?
Lordy, I was 4 years old when this came out and I remember it WELL. Just a wee tot in Sharon, PA.
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
I adore this song! When I was a little kid, 3 or 4, my mother had strict orders to call me in when it came on the radio! Hahaha...happy memories....😁
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
Taught my 4 year old this song and she sings it constantly now
Pegboard nerds 60 years later: '' Yeah let's turn this into a Dubstep version''
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!!!!
Proof that you don't necessarily need to take your time to do stuff. This awesome song was written in one hour.
I listened to this alot with an old friend when I was little. Must have been over 10 years since that. :D
Sheb was great on "Rawhide".
I was in 1st grade when this came out and my granddaughter sings it today on her school bus
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.
Who‘s here, who actually reads Kings 11/22/63? 😊
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.
Thank you so much for not overdubbing this!
DIRK GENTLY BROUGHT ME HERE :O !!!
First comment in a year, you're welcome
I remember discovering this song 4 years ago at my school barbecue, I loved so much I went home and looked it up on youtube... I was so young.
Who’s here from Nope
Grew up on this song
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.
Just time to revisit the childhood haunts. What fun...
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? :(
This came out when I was about 5 yrs old. I wore the record out and drove my parents crazy by playing this song over and over again. Thanks for uploading it.
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!
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
Thanks to Ricky, Steve, Karl & XFM for getting this song in my head !
My family and I just to sing this together 45 years ago. I still love the song. Thanks for the video 💕
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.
Just heard this on the radio last Saturday; hadn't heard it in years! Sure brought back some memories and a grin on my face!
"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
Many knew him as an actor, but I always loved him for his silly songs. When I was a kid and learning to play guitar, I learned everything of his that played on station KTSA out of San Antonio, Texas. Thanks!
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.
I came here to teach my kid about this old song. Pure Americana here.
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
Thanks for posting. Wow what memories
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.
They would play the groves down on this
song at chris's hot dog and soada shope in houston texas on alabama street in the 50's what a fun time thank u for the post. Earl
I came here form Brittany's playlist for Santana in Glee....
OMG SAME
I was 7 when this came out and loved it!
OMG this song is real, I thought it was made just for Dirk Gently :D
I was 5 years old when this song came out. All of us kids sang it and laughed at certain times.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. also the book 11/22/63
I've been listening to this song since I was 5. First time I ever saw this performance. Great!
This song is sooo funny! Good for hiarious moments.😂😅😂😁😀
i got here because i like old songs :D cause they never get bad :D