The country cult classic, "Psycho", was composed by Leon Payne, a blind Texas country singer-song writer, after he'd read about fellow Texan Charles Whitman.

In 1966 Whitman had strangled his mother to death, stabbed his wife, and then headed to the top of the University of Texas Library tower and opened fire on an unsuspecting crowd, using his Marine corps sniper rifle, killing sixteen people. Whitman was gunned down by police.

During his autopsy, it was discovered that Whitman had a deadly brain tumor. But Whitman had been unaware of this--although he had complained about headaches and nausea weeks before his rampage. It has been suggested that this tumor drove Whitman to his killing spree.

Part of Whitman's suicide note read:
"I do not really understand myself these days. I am supposed to be an average reasonable and intelligent young man. However, lately (I cannot recall when it started), I have been a victim of many unusual and irrational thoughts."

On the day he purchased his rifle, Whitman also bought a can of Spam.

The version of "Psycho" that inspired Elvis Costello's version was recorded by Jack Kittel (see above), although George Jones and Eddie Noack both recorded it first.  In the re-make of Hitchcock's "Psycho," the song was recorded by Teddy Thompson.


Here, for your entertainment pleasure are the full lyrics to Leon Payne's masterpiece (courtesy of those wonderful folks at PopKrazy )--


Can Mary fry some fish, Mama
I'm as hungry as can be
Oh lord, how I wish, Mama
You could stop the baby cryin' 'cause my head is killing me
 
I saw my ex again last night, Mama
She was at the dance at Miller's store
She was with that Jackie White, Mama
I killed them both, and they're buried under Jacob's sycamore


You think I'm psycho, don't you, Mama
I didn't mean to break your cup
You think I'm psycho, don't you, Mama
You better let 'em lock me up


Oh, don't hand me Johnny's pup, Mama
As I might squeeze him too tight
I'm havin' crazy dreams again, Mama
So let me tell you 'bout last night
 
I woke up in Johnny's room, Mama
Standing right there by his bed
With my hands around his throat, Mama
Wishing both of us were dead


You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama
I just killed Johnny's pup
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama
You'd better let 'em lock me up


Oh, you recall that little girl, Mama
I believe her name was Betty Clark
Oh, don't tell me that she's dead, Mama
'Cause I just saw her in the park


We were sitting on a bench, Mama
Thinking of a game to play
Seems I was holding a wrench, Mama
Then my mind just walked away


You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama
I didn't mean to break your cup
You think I'm psycho don't you, Mama
Mama why don't you get up?