Some may argue about whether this could be considered a novelty song, but the members of Three Dog Night, who recorded this tune written by Hoyt Axton, have described the song as a "kids' song" and a "silly song." It contains some nonsensical words in the lyrics. The song is most recognized for its opening line, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog." When Axton (whose song "Never Been to Spain" was also a hit for Three Dog Night) presented the song to the group, two of Three Dog Night's lead singers, Cory Wells and Danny Hutton, initially turned it down. But the third singer, Chuck Negron, felt a "silly song" was needed to bring the group back together as a working unit (from the link above). The song became one of the group's best-known hits.
The song's opening line is referenced in this Far Side cartoon (only those familiar with the song would get the cartoon):
Not to be confused with the traditional Christmas song of the same, though Mariah Carey used the Three Dog Night song's refrain in her 1994 rendition of the Christmas song.
The story behind the song is in this video:
Also see this video of puppets performing the song. Note lyric changes: "Joy to the fishes..." from the original becomes "Joy to the city..." in this cover. Also "...a good wine" is replaced with "...have a good time." Obviously that one needed to be changed for a kids' version :)
8 comments:
I love this song and Three Dog Night.
In 1971, I was 14 and I loved this song! I bought a 45 of it.
I always loved this song. Amazing h that Hoyt Axton wrote this and the Pusher Man. He was areal Thespian. Sad that egos hey in the way breaking up the band. Sad, too, that the one guy minimizes this song when it was their biggest hit. Embrace it, ya dumb dumb..lol
As soon as I read, Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog..I knew who this band was.
When I saw the title, I initially assumed it was the Christmas song. But yeah, I remember this one.
I love this song. It's definitely not just for kids. :)
Great song!
I always liked this one, too. We saw Three Dog Night in concert in Oklahoma City many years ago. Great show and they did play this one. :)
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