"Grow For Me" is a song featured in the 1986 musical comedy horror film Little Shop of Horrors with music composed by Alan Menken and lyrics written by Howard Ashman. The song is performed by Rick Moranis as Seymour Krelborn, a nerdy florist who discovers a mysterious plant that he names Audrey II, after his co-worker and crush Audrey (played by Ellen Greene). It also features Michelle Weeks, Tichina Arnold, and Tisha Campbell as the Greek chorus-like trio of street urchins who narrate the story.
Background[]
The song occurs early in the film, after Seymour introduces Audrey II to his boss Mr. Mushnik (played by Vincent Gardenia), and Audrey, who are both impressed by the exotic plant. However, Seymour soon realizes that Audrey II is wilting and dying, despite his efforts to provide it with sunlight, water, plant food, and potash. He sings to the plant, begging it to grow for him and listing all the things he has done for it. He accidentally pricks his finger on a rose thorn and discovers that Audrey II craves blood. The plant opens its mouth and Seymour reluctantly feeds it a few drops of his blood, causing it to perk up and grow.
The song serves as a pivotal moment in Little Shop of Horrors, introducing the audience to the film's central theme of ambition and the lengths one might go to achieve success. It is part of a sequence in which Seymour discovers Audrey II's unique dietary preferences and its rapid growth. In order to keep the plant alive, Seymour realizes he must feed it blood. The lyrics reflect Seymour's growing desperation as he contemplates the consequences of his actions.
Lyrics[]
Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette:
Doo, sha-la-la-doo, wop, wop
Doo, sha-la-la-doo, wop, wop
Doo, sha-la-la-doo, wop, wop
Doo-oo-oo-oo
Seymour:
I've given you sunshine
I've given you dirt
You've given me nothin'
But heartache and hurt
I'm beggin' you sweetly
I'm down on my knees
Oh, please, grow for me
I've given you plant food
And water to sip
I've given you potash
You've given me zip
Oh, God, how I mist you
Oh, pod, how you tease
Now, please, grow for me
I've given you southern exposure
To get you to thrive
I've pinched you back hard
Like I'm s'posed t'
You're barely alive
I've tried you at levels of moisture
From desert to mud
I've given you grow-lights
And mineral supplements
What do you want from me? Blood?!
I've given you sunlight
I've given you rain
Looks like you're not happy
'Less I open a vein
I'll give you a few drops
If that will appease
Now, please, oh, oh, please
Grow for me
Trivia[]
- The song is one of the few songs from the original off-Broadway musical that was not altered or cut for the film adaptation.
- It retains the same lyrics and melody as the stage version, with minor changes in orchestration and tempo.
- The song showcases Seymour's naive and insecure personality, as well as his attachment to Audrey II, which will later lead him to commit murder to satisfy the plant's hunger.
- It also foreshadows the dark and twisted nature of Audrey II, who is revealed to be an alien creature bent on world domination.
v - e - d  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|