Prologue
A.Menken Lyrics


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On the twenty-first day of the month of September
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
Call a cop, little shoppa horrors
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

Overall Meaning

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
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