5 Shocking Secrets Behind "Feed Me Seymour": The Villain Song That Defined A Generation
Contents
The Key Entities: Creators, Characters, and the Monstrous Plant
The sheer topical authority of "Feed Me (Git It)" is built on the genius of its creators and the unforgettable nature of its characters. The song is a two-person (or rather, one-person, one-plant) dialogue that drives the entire plot of *Little Shop of Horrors*.Alan Menken (Music)
- Role: Composer of the music for *Little Shop of Horrors*.
- Early Career: Began collaborating with Howard Ashman in the 1970s.
- Major Works: Beyond *Little Shop*, he is a multi-Academy Award winner, famous for composing the scores for Disney Renaissance classics like *The Little Mermaid* (1989), *Beauty and the Beast* (1991), and *Aladdin* (1992).
- Musical Style: His score for *Little Shop of Horrors* draws heavily from 1960s rock and roll, doo-wop, and Motown, giving "Feed Me" its distinct, driving, and slightly sinister rhythm.
Howard Ashman (Lyrics and Book)
- Role: Lyricist and writer of the book (script) for *Little Shop of Horrors*.
- Inspiration: He was inspired to adapt the strange 1960 B-movie into a musical, which premiered off-Broadway in 1982.
- Major Works: His collaboration with Menken extended to the early Disney classics, where his sharp, witty, and emotionally resonant lyrics were central to their success. He is considered one of the most important figures in modern musical theatre and animation.
- Legacy: His work on "Feed Me (Git It)" showcases his mastery of character-driven lyrics, perfectly capturing the manipulative nature of Audrey II and Seymour’s internal conflict.
Audrey II (The Plant)
- Nature: A wise-cracking, anthropomorphic cross between a Venus flytrap and an avocado with teeth. It is the main antagonist of the story.
- Voice/Persona: In the stage musical and the 1986 film, Audrey II is typically voiced by a Black actor (like Levi Stubbs in the film), giving the plant a distinct, soulful, and powerful R&B/Motown persona, which has been the subject of academic analysis regarding the musical's underlying themes of race and power dynamics.
- Role in the Song: The ultimate seducer. It uses promises of fame, fortune, and a better life with Audrey to convince Seymour to commit murder, thus transforming the plant from a novelty into a powerful, demanding master.
"Feed Me (Git It)": The Anatomy of a Villainous Seduction
"Feed Me (Git It)" is a masterfully constructed piece of musical storytelling that occurs near the end of Act I. The song is the moment of no return for Seymour, shifting the musical's tone from dark comedy to full-blown horror.The Context of Moral Collapse
The song begins after Seymour has discovered that his unique, blood-craving plant, Audrey II, is growing sick and weak. Seymour has been feeding it his own blood, but the plant's appetite has grown insatiable. The sequence starts with the plant's insistent, repeated demands: "Feed me! Feed me! Feed me!" This simple, primal plea quickly escalates into a complex negotiation.The Plant’s Manipulation: A Devil’s Bargain
Audrey II doesn't just ask for food; it offers a compelling, irresistible deal. The plant, with its deep, gravelly voice, appeals directly to Seymour's deepest insecurities and desires:- Fame and Fortune: Audrey II reminds Seymour that the plant has brought him success, attention, and a way out of the miserable Skid Row flower shop.
- The Girl: The plant explicitly ties the next meal—a human one—to Seymour's ability to win the heart of the real Audrey. Seymour sings a monologue about how he would love a life with Audrey, and the plant essentially says, "I can make that happen, but you have to pay the price."
- The Target: The plant conveniently suggests an easy target: Orin Scrivello, D.D.S., Audrey’s sadistic dentist boyfriend, thereby giving Seymour a morally gray justification for his first act of murder.
Musical and Lyrical Structure
The song is a powerful duet, but it's fundamentally a power struggle. Seymour's lines are hesitant, full of moral questioning, and sung in a nervous, almost spoken-word style, often in a higher register. In contrast, Audrey II's lines are forceful, rhythmic, and delivered in a low, bluesy growl that dominates the musical landscape. The music builds in intensity, utilizing a driving rock beat and a big band-style arrangement. The lyrics are packed with LSI-rich phrases that reinforce the themes: *moral dilemma*, *consequence of choice*, *insatiable appetite*, and the plant’s famous declaration, "Does this look like something you usually get?"The Enduring Legacy and Fresh Revivals of the Song
Despite being decades old, the power of "Feed Me (Git It)" continues to resonate, not just as a piece of theatre history, but as an actively performed and celebrated musical number.The Off-Broadway Phenomenon
When *Little Shop of Horrors* premiered off-Broadway in 1982, it was an instant hit, largely due to the unique blend of horror, comedy, and the infectious rock score by Menken and Ashman. The success of "Feed Me (Git It)" was crucial, as it cemented the plant, Audrey II, as one of the most memorable and terrifying villains in the musical canon.Recent Performances and Covers (2025 Updates)
The song's theatrical life is constantly renewed. As of late 2024 and throughout 2025, various regional and community theatre productions have brought the song back to the stage, ensuring its continued relevance. For instance, performances like the one by Aaron Reese Boseman and Samuel Larson at Theatre Cedar Rapids and numerous other local revivals keep the material fresh. Furthermore, popular YouTube covers, such as the one released by Quentin Garzón, demonstrate the song's appeal to a new generation of musical theatre fans and performers who are eager to tackle the challenging and theatrically rich duet.Thematic Depth and Topical Relevance
The song's central theme—the temptation of power and the moral cost of success—is timeless. It explores the dark side of the American Dream, where a desperate man is willing to sacrifice his integrity for a shot at a better life. This universal theme ensures that "Feed Me Seymour" will continue to be studied and performed, offering a compelling look at the *consequence of choice* and the seductive nature of material gain. The contrast between Seymour's meekness and Audrey II's aggressive demands makes the song a powerhouse moment that leaves audiences thrilled and uneasy, serving as a perfect example of a musical number that propels both character development and plot progression.Ultimately, "Feed Me (Git It)" is a testament to the genius of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. It is a song that is simultaneously hilarious, terrifying, and deeply human, securing its place as a classic rock musical number that continues to be celebrated by audiences and performers worldwide.
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