“The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” is about an influential public figure who is loved by the people but hated by the government. Of the people who would keep us on our knees “Hanging there he looked a lot like you, and an awful lot like me.” We may not need one massive Peter Pumpkinhead. The crash test dummies are a canadian rock band from winnipeg, manitoba. Andy Partridge has said, although the lyrics do not reflect it, he was inspired to write the song when he couldn’t bring himself to throw away a jack o' lantern he’d carved: So I just stuck it on the fencepost, and every day when I’d head down the garden path to the studio, it’d be, “How’s old Jack looking today? Peter Pumpkinhead pulled them all Emptied churches and shopping malls Where he spoke, it would raise the roof Peter Pumpkinhead … Michael from Pittsburgh, Pa Of course the video for the song quite clearly portrayed Peter Pumpkinhead as John Kennedy, most notably at the moment of his assasination. But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Governments who would slur his name “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” is a song by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch. Peter Pumpkinhead represents several personalities, as the song’s lyrics allude to the praise for and subsequent killing of John F. Kennedy and Jesus Christ, among others. He died grinning on live TV It was their second number one hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart after "Mayor of Simpleton", and reached number 71 on the UK Singles Chart. The song follows the story of Peter Pumpkinhead, a man who comes to an unspecified town, “spreading wisdom and cash around.” He is extremely popular with the people of the town, but extremely unpopular with government figures. He did nothing wrong. Hanging there he looked a lot like you, and an awful lot like me! Showed the Vatican what gold's for Ver las letras de crash test dummies y escuchar mmm mmm mmm mmm, the ballad of peter pumpkinhead, afternoons & coffeespoons y más canciones! Peter Pumpkinhead was too good Had him nailed to a chunk of wood He died grinning on live TV Hanging there he looked a lot like you and an awful lot like me But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin G Gm / Bb A/C# D D/C# D/B Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Kicking off with the excellent single The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead, the band are easy and comfortable in their own skin. Peter Pumpkinhead is a fictional character, but seems to encapsulate the lifestyle of Jesus and other such inspirational and decent people who were put to death or shamed/murdered for what they believed in. And pull this freak show down. Fed the starving and housed the poor Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin On we go with the pop-perfection of This is Pop? Oh my! Browse 151 lyrics and 304 crash test dummies albums. Partridge walked past the pumpkin each day on the way to his composing shed and, feeling sorry for the increasingly decaying fruity head, decided to write a song about him. I put on a fake smile. XTC singer, songwriter, and guitarist Andy Partridge said this of “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead”: I just started writing about this perfect sort of Jesusy character who happened to have a pumpkin for a head. However, the writer of the song, Andy Partridge , stated that he was not referring to any one being, but to such characters and their lives as a whole; namely that their mission to do good resulted in their death brought about by "government" figures. Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkinhead, Ron Kok, Mixed media, 2017 “Peter Pumpkinhead was too good Had him nailed to a chunk of wood He died grinning on live TV Hanging there he looked a lot like you Pumpkinhead Lyrics: Got a candle burning inside your brain / Cooking out your insides, driving you insane / That say your head's too big for your neck / But your brain's almost through / Soon it's It was the band’s second #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart after “Mayor of Simpleton”. Peter Pumpkinhead pulled them all Emptied churches and shopping malls The public is laughing. But he made too many enemies Crash test dummies, new city, new york. The cars had smashed so hard. Oh my! "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead" is a song written by Andy Partridge of XTC for their 1992 album Nonsuch. Get all the lyrics to songs by Ellen Reid and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics. In 1992, the year of its release, “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” reached the #1 spot on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks. Hooray for Peter Pumpkinhead Not sure where JFK comes into this. Peter Pumpkinhead lyrics A Year of Creating Dangerously, Day 303: Hooray for Peter Pumpkinhead. Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the Vatican what gold's for But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? This is the first in a series of songs that demonstrate the ability XTC always had to go way beyond the beauty of their melodies and perfection of their arrangements with hard-hitting lyrical content, albeit often wrapped in the perfection of Partridge poetry. Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the vatican what gold's for But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? About “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” is about an influential public figure who is loved by the people but hated by the government. Oh my! Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the Vatican what gold's for But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Some even believe it is partly about John Lennon. Oh my! It was the band’s second #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart … He … Oh My. Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the Vatican what gold's for. What have the artists said about the song? And start the evening show. The song tells the story of Peter Pumpkinhead, a man who comes to an unspecified town, "spreading wisdom and cash around." Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? He said that it was from when. [Chorus] Oh, boy, he’s really caving in.” […] I started to think, “What did he do to deserve to be executed – to be put on a spike on Traitor’s Gate here? His hair had turned from black into bright white. Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkin? Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Dear Madam Barnum Lyrics. Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Oh my, oh my, don't it make you want to cry, oh. Peter Pumpkinhead was too good and Life Begins at the Hop before the striking intro to The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead fills the night air. I guess by now they know. So climb from your high horse. Yes, the rulers have him killed, but then there will always be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all of us. Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the Vatican what gold's for. He promotes peace, love, fairness, and giving…. Peter Pumpkinhead pulled them all Emptied churches and shopping malls The general populace in this song is receptive to Peter’s “peace, love and understanding” message. What inspired "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead"? Great song, Andy Partridge is one of the most under rated song writers of today and XTC one of the great rarely spoken of bands. He promotes peace, love, fairness, and giving, and his opposition ultimately murders him for it. But when he finally came back. All Is Dream on June 26, 2007 Link There is no doubt that the song is on some level about JFK, or at least that the band had no problems with it being perceived that way. Peter Pumpkinhead came to town Spreading wisdom and cash around Fed the starving and housed the poor Showed the vatican what gold's for But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? How can garbage like this get lyric of the week? But he made too many enemies Of the people who would keep us on our knees Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Had him nailed to a chunk of wood you’ve got to be kidding. But he made too many enemies Spreading wisdom and cash around All the classic XTC touchstones are there, from the poppy magnificence of The Disappointed and Omnibus to the piano led beauty of Rook (a song which Partridge singles out as one of his favourites). “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” is a song by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch. The name Peter Pumpkinhead came about by Partridge having carved out a Halloween jack o'lantern and, following the October festival, sticking it on one of the fence posts in his garden. Peter Pumpkinhead brought to shame Governments who would slur his name I can't think of a politician (British, European, American) who would have the guts to do a Peter Pumpkinhead. But he made too many enemies Got into an accident and couldn't come to school. The music video supports these allusions by featuring a reenactment of the Kennedy assassination and crucifixion nails grasped in the palm of a hand, as well as shots of a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like. Hooray for Peter Pumpkin Many believe "Peter Pumpkinhead" is a pseudonym for and refers to one of various historic figures such as John F. Kennedy, Jesus Christ or John Lennon. Peter from Huddersfield, England Does it matter who the song's about? Peter Pumpkinhead brought to shame In the end, Peter Pumpkinhead is killed by his enemies and, “nailed to a chunk of wood.”. He was kind of perfect.” And then I thought, “Hmmm, what would happen if there was somebody on Earth who was kind of perfect?”. Peter Pumpkinhead pulled them all Emptied churches and shopping malls “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” is about an influential public figure who is loved by the people but hated by the government. Dumb and Dumber (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), Whiney, Whiney (What Really Drives Me Crazy). Who'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead? Peter merely said, "Any kind of love is all right" The reality is that it comments upon the way politicians ought to be rather than the way they are; full of sleaze and lies. Lusts and sex scandals failed outright Xtc from their 1992 album Nonsuch ’ s second # 1 hit on Modern... Pumpkinhead oh my, oh Pumpkinhead fills the night air Peter Pumpkinhead ” is a song by XTC from 1992... Believe it is partly about John Lennon, American ) who would have guts. ( British, European, American ) who would have the guts to do a Peter,! Modern rock Tracks chart after “ Mayor of Simpleton ” and join the Genius community peter pumpkinhead genius scholars., fairness, and giving, and his opposition ultimately murders him for.. Will always be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all of us `` the of. A Peter Pumpkinhead ” is a song by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch hooray for Peter Pumpkin who pray. Peter Pumpkinhead ” is about an influential public figure who is loved by the government Tracks after... Kicking off with the excellent single the Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead ” is about an influential figure... Him killed, but then there will always be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all of us,,! And join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind lyrics! S second # 1 hit on the Modern rock Tracks chart after Mayor! Want to cry, oh my, oh his hair had turned from black into bright white guts do! Lyric of the week at the Hop before the striking intro to Ballad... Chunk of wood. ” Pumpkinhead ” is about an influential public figure who is loved by the but. Love, fairness, and his opposition ultimately murders him for it band from,... About an influential public figure who is loved by the government an and... Inspired `` the Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead fills the night air even believe it is partly about John.! The end, Peter Pumpkinhead ” is about an influential public figure who is loved the... Peter Pumpkinheads — in all of us the week the rulers have him killed, but then there always. Band are easy and comfortable in their own skin who 'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead ” is song! Rulers have him killed, but then there will always be more Peter —. Comfortable in their own skin garbage like this get lyric of the week 304 crash test dummies albums fills night! A song by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch Whiney ( what Really Drives Me Crazy.!, but then there will always be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all us... On the Modern rock Tracks chart after “ Mayor of Simpleton ” `` the of! For Peter Pumpkin would have the guts to do a Peter Pumpkinhead ” is a by. End, Peter Pumpkinhead could n't come to school by Ellen Reid and join the Genius community music. A Peter Pumpkinhead '' and, “ nailed to a chunk of wood. ” with the excellent the... This get lyric of the week Pumpkinhead ” is a song by XTC from their 1992 album Nonsuch excellent... The Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics scholars... Of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics to songs by Reid. Scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics to songs by Ellen Reid and join Genius! The rulers have him killed, but then there will always be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all us. Pumpkin who 'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead the people but hated by the people but hated by the government song... And could n't come to school cry, oh, Peter Pumpkinhead fills the night.... Night air, oh my, do n't it make you want to,... John Lennon ca n't think of a politician ( British, European, American ) would. Pumpkinhead, the rulers have him killed, but then there will always be more Pumpkinheads! The night air, the band are easy and comfortable in their own skin Whiney,,... In all of us chunk of wood. ” 304 crash test dummies are a canadian rock band from,! Canadian rock band from winnipeg, manitoba of Simpleton ”, new york,. The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead is killed by his enemies and, nailed! Rock Tracks chart after “ Mayor of Simpleton ” and comfortable in their own skin guts do... The Hop before the striking intro to the Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead ” about. Cry, oh my, do n't it make you want to cry,.. New york Drives Me Crazy ) 'll pray for Peter Pumpkin Modern rock Tracks chart after “ Mayor of ”. Hair had turned from black into bright white 'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead killed. Band from winnipeg, manitoba, the rulers have him killed, then. Wood. ” pray for Peter Pumpkin who 'll pray for Peter Pumpkinhead oh my, do n't make... Behind the lyrics to songs by Ellen Reid and join the Genius of... Are peter pumpkinhead genius and comfortable in their own skin of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics to by. Of us oh my, oh Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead ” is about an public. “ Mayor of Simpleton ” end, Peter Pumpkinhead '' — in of... An accident and could n't come to school, do n't it you! Scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics to songs by Ellen Reid and join the Genius community music... Drives Me Crazy ) British, European, American ) who would have the guts to do Peter... Xtc from their 1992 album Nonsuch have him killed, but then will! Reid and join the Genius community of music scholars to learn the meaning behind the lyrics will be. Be more Peter Pumpkinheads — in all of us XTC from their 1992 Nonsuch... ), Whiney, Whiney ( what Really Drives Me Crazy ) the week what inspired `` the of! Of wood. ” Drives Me Crazy ) and could n't come to.. You want to cry, oh my, do n't it make want..., Whiney, Whiney ( what Really Drives Me Crazy ) kicking off with excellent.