Prologue
A.Menken Lyrics
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In an early year of a decade not too long before our own
The human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence
And this terrifying enemy surfaced as such enemies often do
In the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
Little shop, little shoppa terror
No, oh, oh, no-oh!
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
Bop sh'bop, little shoppa terror
Watch 'em drop! Little shoppa horrors
No, oh, oh, no-oh!
Shing-a-ling, what a freaky thing to be happening!
Look out, look out, look out, look out!
Shang-a-lang, feel the sturm and drang in the air
Yeah!
Sha-la-la, stop right where you are
Don't you move a thing
You better (tellin' you, you better)
Tell your mama something's gonna get her
She better (everybody better beware!
Oh, here it comes, baby
Tell the world, baby
Oh oh, oh no
Oh, hit the dirt, baby
Tell the world, baby, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
Alley oop, hurry off to school child, I'm warnin' you
(Look out, look out, look, out, look out)
Run away, child you gonna pay if you stay, yeah
Look around, something's comin' down down the street for you
You betcha, you betcha, you betcha butt, you betcha
Best believe it, something's come to get ya
You betcha, you better watch your back in this town
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah!
Comma, comma, comma
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
Bop sh'bop, you'll never stop the terror
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
No, oh oh, no, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
The Prologue to Little Shop of Horrors sets the stage for a dark comedy about a man-eating plant. The lyrics describe a specific moment in time, September 21st, in a decade before the modern day, when humanity faces a deadly threat. The terror that emerges as the antagonist of the story appears innocuous and unassuming, hiding in a small flower shop. As the Prologue unfolds, the song establishes a sense of impending doom and a surreal quality, with lines like "Shing-a-ling, what a freaky thing to be happening!" and "Sha-la-la, stop right where you are, don't you move a thing." The lyrics also contain warnings and a call to action, as the characters are urged to tell the world and watch their backs.
Lyrically, the Prologue sets the stage for the bizarre and hilarious horror story to come. It creates a mood of tension and suspense, while also introducing key elements of the plot. Thematically, it touches on the idea of something menacing lurking just beneath the surface of everyday life. The song's tone is characterized by a mix of dark humor and horror, which is a thread that runs through the entire play.
Line by Line Meaning
On the twenty-first day of the month of September
On a specific day, the twenty-first of September
In an early year of a decade not too long before our own
At a time not too far in the past
The human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence
Humanity faced a sudden, life-threatening danger
And this terrifying enemy surfaced as such enemies often do
The enemies appeared as they usually do - unexpectedly
In the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places
In a place that appeared harmless and unlikely to be a cause of danger
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The horror has arrived in a small shop
Little shop, little shoppa terror
It's a place of terror now
Call a cop, little shoppa horrors
Seeking someone to call for help
No, oh, oh, no-oh!
Expressing horror and panic
Shing-a-ling, what a freaky thing to be happening!
Expressing surprise and shock at the situation
Look out, look out, look out, look out!
Urging to pay attention to the surroundings
Shang-a-lang, feel the sturm and drang in the air
The atmosphere is tense and stressful
Sha-la-la, stop right where you are
Commanding to halt and stay where one is
Don't you move a thing
Demanding not to move
You better (tellin' you, you better)
Emphasizing urgency
Tell your mama something's gonna get her
Warn someone close to them about the danger
She better (everybody better beware!
Everyone has to be careful and alert
Oh, here it comes, baby
The threat is approaching
Tell the world, baby
Urging to share this information with everyone
Oh oh, oh no
Exclaiming fear and dread
Oh, hit the dirt, baby
Instructing to take cover
Alley oop, hurry off to school child, I'm warnin' you
Advising to leave quickly
(Look out, look out, look, out, look out)
Warning to pay attention
Run away, child you gonna pay if you stay, yeah
Advising to run away as the cost of staying is too high
Look around, something's comin' down down the street for you
A reminder that danger is approaching
You betcha, you betcha, you betcha butt, you betcha
Stressing that it's absolutely true
Best believe it, something's come to get ya
Alerting to the danger
You betcha, you better watch your back in this town
Urging to be vigilant
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah!
Expressing agreement
Comma, comma, comma
Indicating a pause
Bop sh'bop, you'll never stop the terror
The terror will never end
No, oh oh, no, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
Exclaiming fear and panic
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWARD ELLIOTT ASHMAN, ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind