Prologue
Miles Goodman & Alan 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 song "Prologue" from Little Shop of Horrors sets the stage for the story of a man-eating plant that lands in the hands of a meek flower shop employee named Seymour. The first section of the song paints a picture of a seemingly normal day in September, with the human race blissfully unaware of the danger that lurks ahead. However, the second section introduces us to the "little shop of horrors" and the terror that lies within. The repeated refrain of "Little shop, little shoppa horrors" and "Bop sh'bop, little shoppa terror" create a sense of foreboding, while the commands to "watch 'em drop" and "look out, look out, look out" warn the listener that something dangerous is coming.
The third section of the song moves the action from the little flower shop to the streets outside, where the characters are urged to stop in their tracks and take notice of the impending danger. The use of sounds like "shing-a-ling" and "shang-a-lang" add to the frenzied atmosphere, while the repeated refrain of "tell the world, baby" emphasizes the enormity of the threat. Through it all, the plant's ominous presence looms large, with the suggestion that it has the power to "get ya" or "come to get ya" and that everyone, from mothers to schoolchildren, should beware.
Overall, "Prologue" is a masterful introduction to the world of Little Shop of Horrors, using sound and language to create a feeling of unease and set up the central conflict of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
On the twenty-first day of the month of September
At the beginning of fall on the 21st day of September for a year earlier than our own
In an early year of a decade not too long before our own
When people weren't really concerned yet about the issues we have today
The human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence
Humanity was faced with an unexpected danger that threatened its existence as a species
And this terrifying enemy surfaced as such enemies often do
This danger emerged in the same way that other threats often appear, without a clear warning or sign
In the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places
It came from somewhere unexpected, from a place where no one had suspected it would come from
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The threat begins in a small shop, where something dangerous is being sold
Little shop, little shoppa terror
It's a place where terror and horror lurk unseen and unnoticed
Call a cop, little shoppa horrors
The situation is so dire that even the police need to be alerted about the danger
No, oh, oh, no-oh!
Everyone is scared and uncertain of what will happen
Bop sh'bop, little shoppa terror
There's a beat to this horror that is almost mesmerizing in its rhythm
Watch 'em drop! Little shoppa horrors
People are being affected by the horrors of this shop and are dropping like flies
Shing-a-ling, what a freaky thing to be happening!
Nobody knows what's going on, but they can sense that something is terribly wrong
Look out, look out, look out, look out!
Everyone is being warned to look out for themselves
Shang-a-lang, feel the sturm and drang in the air
There is chaos in the air, and everyone can feel it
Sha-la-la, stop right where you are
Stop what you're doing and take notice of the danger around you
Don't you move a thing
Stay still and assess the situation
You better (tellin' you, you better)
It's essential that you listen and do what is necessary for your own safety
Tell your mama something's gonna get her
Warn your mother about the danger that lurks around them
She better (everybody better beware!
Everyone needs to be on high alert
Oh, here it comes, baby
You can feel the horror creeping up on you
Tell the world, baby
Spread the word and tell everyone about the danger
Oh oh, oh no
Everyone is screaming in terror
Oh, hit the dirt, baby
Take cover, and protect yourself from the danger that's coming
Tell the world, baby, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
Stay alert and be prepared for what's coming your way
Alley oop, hurry off to school child, I'm warnin' you
Even the children aren't safe, and they need to be on high alert too
(Look out, look out, look, out, look out)
Fear is in the air, and everyone is being warned to watch their backs at all times
Run away, child you gonna pay if you stay, yeah
It's not safe to linger, and if you don't heed the warnings, there will be terrible consequences
Look around, something's comin' down down the street for you
The danger is closing in, and everyone needs to be prepared
You betcha, you betcha, you betcha butt, you betcha
It's no joke – this is a life-threatening situation, and you better believe it
Best believe it, something's come to get ya
Something terrible and terrifying is coming to get you
You betcha, you better watch your back in this town
Be vigilant – danger could be lurking around every corner
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah!
People are shouting in agreement that they need to be alert and watchful
Comma, comma, comma
There's a sense of urgency, and everyone is being warned to stay alert
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The horrors are small but deadly
Bop sh'bop, you'll never stop the terror
The terror is relentless and unstoppable
Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The horrors are small but deadly
No, oh oh, no, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
Everyone is screaming, and the situation is dire.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HOWARD ELLIOTT ASHMAN, ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind