Bobby Pickett co-wrote the song along with Leonard Capizzi. It became a million seller, as well as reaching Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was styled as being by Bobby "Boris" Pickett & The Crypt-Kicker 5. In Britain it took until October 1973 for the tune to become popular, but it then pinnacled at Number 3 in the UK singles chart.
A Christmas themed follow-up, "Monster's Holiday", was also released in 1962, and it became a minor hit. After releasing a variety of other Halloween-based songs as well as trying his hand at script-writing, Bobby died on April 25, 2007 of leukemia. He's deeply missed by a cult audience of fans.
Monster Mash
Bobby 'Boris' Pickett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise
(He did the mash) he did the monster mash
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
(He did the mash) it caught on in a flash
(Wa-ooh) from my laboratory in the castle east
(Wa-ooh) to the master bedroom where the vampires feast
(Wa-wa-ooh) the ghouls all came from their humble abodes
(Wa-ooh) to get a jolt from my electrodes
(They did the mash) they did the monster mash
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
(They did the mash) it caught on in a flash
(They did the mash) they did the monster mash
(Wa-ooh) the zombies were having fun
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) the party had just begun
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) the guests included Wolfman
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) Dracula, and his son
(Wa-ooh) the scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
(Wa-ooh) Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
(Wa-wa-ooh) the coffin-bangers were about to arrive
(Wa-ooh) with their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five
(They played the mash) they played the monster mash
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
(They played the mash) it caught on in a flash
(They played the mash) they played the monster mash
(Wa-ooh) out from his coffin', Drac's voice did ring
(Wa-ooh) seems he was troubled by just one thing
(Wa-wa-ooh) opened the lid and shook his fist and said
(Wa-ooh) "Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist?
(It's now the mash) it's now the monster mash
(The monster mash) and it's a graveyard smash
(It's now the mash) it's caught on in a flash
(It's now the mash) it's now the monster mash
(Wa-ooh) now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
(Wa-ooh) and my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
(Wa-wa-ooh) for you, the living this mash was meant to
(Wa-ooh) when you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
(Then you can mash) then you can monster mash
(The monster mash) and do my graveyard smash
(Then you can mash) you'll catch on in a flash
(Then you can mash) then you can monster mash
(Wa-ooh, monster mash)
"Mash good" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
"Easy, Igor, you impetuous young boy" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
"Mash good, grr" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
(Wa-ooh, monster mash)
(Wa-ooh, monster mash)
(Wa-ooh)
The lyrics to Bobby 'Boris' Pickett's timeless Halloween classic, "Monster Mash," tell the story of a scientist who creates a monster that comes to life one night in his laboratory. The scientist is surprised by the monster's sudden animation and is further shocked to see the creature dancing to an unknown beat. As the monster continues to dance, more and more ghoulish creatures arrive at the laboratory, all drawn by the sounds of the monster's "mash." They join in the dance, which becomes a "graveyard smash" that catches on with "a flash." Dracula himself appears and wonders aloud whatever happened to his "Transylvania Twist," which has been replaced by this new "monster mash." The scientist assures Dracula that "everything's cool" and that the mash is "the hit of the land."
The song's lyrics became an instant classic upon their release in 1962 and have remained popular ever since, in no small part due to their clever interplay of horror themes and dance rhythms. At its core, "Monster Mash" is a tribute to classic monster movies and a celebration of Halloween, and it has become a staple of the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
I was working in the lab, late one night
When the singer was in the laboratory one night, working late.
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
He saw something strange and spooky.
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
The monster he created in the lab began to come to life.
And suddenly to my surprise
The artist was surprised and shocked by the monster's animation.
(He did the mash) he did the monster mash
The monster started dancing, and this dance is called the monster mash.
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
The dance was so popular, it spread throughout the graveyard.
(He did the mash) it caught on in a flash
The dance became very popular very quickly.
(He did the mash) he did the monster mash
The monster danced the monster mash repeatedly.
(Wa-ooh) from my laboratory in the castle east
The laboratory was located in a castle in the east.
(Wa-ooh) to the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The artist moved to a bedroom where vampires like to gather.
(Wa-wa-ooh) the ghouls all came from their humble abodes
The ghouls came from their homes to join the party.
(Wa-ooh) to get a jolt from my electrodes
The guests wanted electrical stimulation from the laboratory's instruments.
(They did the mash) they did the monster mash
All the guests at the party started dancing the monster mash.
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
The party became popular throughout the entire graveyard.
(They did the mash) it caught on in a flash
The dance became very popular very quickly.
(They did the mash) they did the monster mash
All the guests continued dancing the monster mash.
(Wa-ooh) the zombies were having fun
Zombies were enjoying the party.
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) the party had just begun
The party had just started.
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) the guests included Wolfman
Wolfman was among the guests.
(Tennis shoe wa-ooh) Dracula, and his son
Dracula and his son were also guests.
(Wa-ooh) the scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Everyone was enjoying the music and having a great time.
(Wa-ooh) Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
Igor was playing music while his dogs barked in the background.
(Wa-wa-ooh) the coffin-bangers were about to arrive
Unknown guests known as the coffin-bangers were about to join the party.
(Wa-ooh) with their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five
The coffin-bangers were coming with their own band, The Crypt-Kicker Five.
(They played the mash) they played the monster mash
The Crypt-Kicker Five played the monster mash.
(The monster mash) it was a graveyard smash
The party became well-known throughout the graveyard.
(They played the mash) it caught on in a flash
The song became very popular very quickly.
(They played the mash) they played the monster mash
The Crypt-Kicker Five continued playing the monster mash.
(Wa-ooh) out from his coffin', Drac's voice did ring
Dracula came out of his coffin and started singing.
(Wa-ooh) seems he was troubled by just one thing
Dracula had a problem he needed to resolve.
(Wa-wa-ooh) opened the lid and shook his fist and said
Dracula opened his coffin and made an angry gesture.
(Wa-ooh) "Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist?
Dracula was upset that people weren't dancing to his signature move, the Transylvania Twist.
(It's now the mash) it's now the monster mash
Dracula realized that the new popular dance was the monster mash.
(The monster mash) and it's a graveyard smash
The monster mash has become popular throughout the graveyard.
(It's now the mash) it's caught on in a flash
The monster mash became very popular very quickly.
(It's now the mash) it's now the monster mash
The monster mash has completely replaced the Transylvania Twist.
(Wa-ooh) now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
Dracula is now a part of the monster mash band.
(Wa-ooh) and my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
The monster mash has become the most popular song around.
(Wa-wa-ooh) for you, the living this mash was meant to
The song is meant for living people.
(Wa-ooh) when you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
If you come to the laboratory, say Boris sent you.
(Then you can mash) then you can monster mash
You can dance the monster mash.
(The monster mash) and do my graveyard smash
You can do the dance that became popular throughout the graveyard.
(Then you can mash) you'll catch on in a flash
You'll quickly start enjoying the dance.
(Then you can mash) then you can monster mash
You can continue dancing the monster mash.
(Wa-ooh, monster mash)
The monster mash continued playing in the background.
"Mash good" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
Someone is approving of the monster mash dance.
"Easy, Igor, you impetuous young boy" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
Someone is telling Igor to calm down.
"Mash good, grr" (Wa-ooh, monster mash)
Someone is approving of the monster mash again.
(Wa-ooh, monster mash)
The monster mash continued to play in the background.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leonard Capizzi, Bob Pickett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind