Poor Little Puppet
Jan And Dean · Other Songs - Jan And Dean
Once he had a mind of his own,
He used to me a man amongst men
Everything went swell, 'till he met that Jezebel
And he hasn't been the same since then,
And I doubt if he ever will again
(Chorus)
Poor little puppet, she's got him tied to a string
That poor little thing, he does what she wants
Every time she pulls her finger
Poor little puppet
He's a fool, an ordinary fool
He can't tell the evil from the good
I tell him every day that he should break away
But he never seems to listen when he should
I guess it's 'cause his head is made of wood
(Chorus)
Hurts me so, to see him pushed around
How I wish that I could set him free
Time and time again, I'm broken hearted when
I look into the mirror and I see,
That little puppet lookin' back at me
(Chorus)
He used to me a man amongst men
Everything went swell, 'till he met that Jezebel
And he hasn't been the same since then,
And I doubt if he ever will again
(Chorus)
Poor little puppet, she's got him tied to a string
That poor little thing, he does what she wants
Every time she pulls her finger
Poor little puppet
He's a fool, an ordinary fool
He can't tell the evil from the good
I tell him every day that he should break away
But he never seems to listen when he should
I guess it's 'cause his head is made of wood
(Chorus)
Hurts me so, to see him pushed around
How I wish that I could set him free
Time and time again, I'm broken hearted when
I look into the mirror and I see,
That little puppet lookin' back at me
(Chorus)
Poor Little Puppet
Jan and Dean's 1958 recording of "Poor Little Puppet" stands as a quintessential example of the surf rock era, blending upbeat instrumentation with a narrative of youthful longing. The track exemplifies the duo's signature style, characterized by crisp guitar riffs and a rhythmic drive that defined the California sound of the late 1950s. While the song's lyrics explore themes of romantic vulnerability, the musical arrangement captures the optimism and energy of the period, becoming a staple in the canon of classic rock and roll. Its enduring popularity highlights the group's ability to craft memorable pop songs that resonated deeply with audiences of the time.