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 Party
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 song "Monster Mash Party" by Bobby 'Boris' Pickett tells the story of a scientist working late in his lab when he sees his monster rise from his slab and start doing the 'Monster Mash'. The scientist is surprised, but he eventually joins in on the 'Mash'. The chorus describes how the Monster Mash was a graveyard smash and how it caught on in a flash, becoming a huge hit. The verses describe how monsters and creatures from all over the place join in on the Mash. The song ends with the scientist and Dracula both enjoying the Mash and inviting everyone else to join in.
The song is often interpreted as a parody of the dance crazes that were popular in the early 1960s. The Monster Mash became a huge hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962. It has since become a Halloween classic and is played every year during the holiday season. The song is often played at Halloween parties and is popular among children and adults alike.
Line by Line Meaning
I was working in the lab, late one night
I, the singer, was working late at night in a laboratory.
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
I saw something that was scary and unusual.
For my monster from his slab, began to rise
A monster I had created starting coming to life from its slab.
And suddenly to my surprise
I was surprised by what happened next.
He did the mash, he did the monster mash
The monster started dancing to a new type of dance called the monster mash.
The monster mash, it was a graveyard smash
The dance became very popular and was known as the graveyard smash.
He did the mash, it caught on in a flash
The dance caught on quickly and became very popular.
From my laboratory in the castle east
My laboratory was located in the eastern part of the castle.
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The vampires were having a feast in the master bedroom.
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
The ghouls came from their own homes to join the party.
To get a jolt from my electrodes
The ghouls were interested in my scientific equipment and wanted to see it in action.
They did the mash, they did the monster mash
Everyone at the party was dancing the monster mash.
The zombies were having fun
The zombies were enjoying themselves at the party.
The party had just begun
The party was just getting started.
The guests included Wolfman
One of the guests was a Wolfman.
Dracula, and his son
Another guest was Dracula and his son.
The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
The party was lively and everyone was enjoying the music.
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
A character named Igor was present, and he was being held by chains while his dogs barked in the background.
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
Another group of guests called The Coffin-Bangers were on their way to the party.
With their vocal group, The Crypt-Kicker Five
The Coffin-Bangers also included a vocal group called The Crypt-Kicker Five.
They played the mash, they played the monster mash
The band played the song 'Monster Mash' and everyone danced along.
Out from his coffin', Drac's voice did ring
Dracula emerged from his coffin and spoke.
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
Dracula was bothered by something specific.
He opened the lid and shook his fist and said
Dracula opened a lid and expressed his frustration by shaking his fist.
"Whatever happened to my Transylvania Twist?
Dracula was concerned that his signature dance move, the Transylvania Twist, was being replaced by the Monster Mash.
It's now the mash, it's now the monster mash
The Monster Mash has become the new popular dance instead of the Transylvania Twist.
The monster mash, and it's a graveyard smash
The Monster Mash is now the most popular dance and is known as the graveyard smash.
It's now the mash, it caught on in a flash
The Monster Mash became popular very quickly.
Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
Dracula has joined the band and is part of the Monster Mash craze.
And my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
The Monster Mash has become incredibly popular all over the country.
For you, the living this mash was meant too
The Monster Mash was created for everyone to enjoy, not just monsters or the undead.
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you
If you come to my door, let them know that Boris (my nickname) referred you.
Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
You are welcome to join in and dance to the Monster Mash.
The monster mash and do my graveyard smash
You can learn the dance and perform it along with everyone else.
Then you can mash, you'll catch on in a flash
You will quickly learn the steps and be able to dance along with everyone else.
Then you can mash, then you can monster mash
You are welcome to join in and dance with everyone to the Monster Mash.
Mash good
Enjoy the Monster Mash!
Easy, Igor, you impetuous young boy
Calm down, Igor (the character from earlier), you are being too enthusiastic.
Mash good, grr
Keep dancing and enjoying the Monster Mash (with some growling and excitement).
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leonard Capizzi, Bob Pickett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind