"If Only You Knew" is the title of one of legendary R&B diva Patti LaBelle's most famous songs. Now, thanks to a viral YouTube video, everybody knows about Patti LaBelle's sweet potato pies, which are currently flying off the shelves of Walmart faster than they can keep them in stock.
It all started when singer James Wright, a huge fan of the iconic songstress, decided to film and post a review of the pie, which he had never tasted before. After some initial trouble opening the box, which Wright accuses the singer of sealing with Gorilla Glue, Wright dives into the pie for the first time and is so delighted with the taste, he spontaneously breaks out into a series of Labelle's greatest hits, including "On My Own," "You Are My Friend" and an extended single note of the aforementioned "If Only You Knew."
Viewers can't help but be entertained by Wright's antics and his sincere love of the pie, which he continuously refers to as "Patti" and that he proceeds to consume, by himself, in its entirety. Wright also warns viewers that they, like him, will turn into Patti when they eat one of her delicious pies.
Apparently, thousands of viewers of the video, which now has millions of YouTube views, are hoping to morph into the singer just like Wright, because the pies have been selling in record numbers since the video debuted. In fact, Walmart, which carries the pies exclusively, can't keep up with the demand, as the pies are currently unavailable in most stores.
Customers are clamoring for the pies to the extent that an eBay black market has emerged, with the pies, which normally sell for a modest $3.48, going for upwards of $40. If that's too rich for some buyers' blood, they can pick up individual slices on the auction site for $10 a pop.
Those with patience may be in luck. A Walmart spokesperson claims that the company is in the process of securing two million additional pounds of sweet potatoes, and hopes to have more pies on the shelves soon for those who would like a taste of "Patti" or who want to turn into her.
