Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman

Album: The Completion Backward Principle (1981)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The Tubes were fascinated by campy pop culture, and it doesn't get much more campy than Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman, a 1958 movie about a woman who grows to 10 times her normal size after she is touched by a giant hand belonging to an alien of some kind. She goes on a rampage, ripping the roof off of a building and killing those who crossed her.

    The film is a classic B-movie, combining sci-fi, horror and comedy into an entertaining mess. And of course, the 50-foot woman is really hot and lightly clothed. This song is an homage to the film, telling a similar story about a guy whose girlfriend grows to that size after being exposed to nuclear radiation. She also goes out of control, stomping on men to get her kicks.
  • Tubes lead singer Fee Waybill wrote the lyric to this song, which is one of his favorites. "It's a funny song," he told Songfacts. "I get to play the boyfriend - the young kid who was stunned by the transformation. It's a really fun song to sing."
  • This was included on The Completion Backward Principle, the group's first album with Capitol Records, and their commercial breakthrough. A fun, quirky song with a strong visual element, "Attack Of The Fifty Foot Woman" is in line with what the group was doing in the '70s when they were signed to A&M Records. Other songs on The Completion Backward Principle, which was produced by hit man David Foster, had more pop appeal, notably "Don't Want To Wait Anymore" and "Talk To Ya Later."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Jon Oliva of Trans-Siberian OrchestraSongwriter Interviews

Writing great prog metal isn't easy, especially when it's for 60 musicians.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.