Purple People Eater is a fictional monster featured in a popular 1958 novelty song of the same name, written by Sheb Wooley. The song’s lyrics describe the monster as a large, hairy creature with purple skin and sharp teeth that terrorizes people, particularly enjoying the taste of children. The song was a huge commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the best-selling singles of the 1950s.
The Purple People Eater has since become a pop culture icon, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and other media. The monster has also been the subject of several parodies and homages, including a 1988 film adaptation starring Neil Patrick Harris.