The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Papa I know
There's a frog on my toe
Maybe I'll call him Jethro
Maybe I'll grow up to be wise, as good as he
And maybe I'll come back after you're long gone
Papa I'm sure
The worms have eaten you now
And Jethro's been on some Frenchy's plate long ago
Now I'm pretty sure that I listen to every word
Cause I still hear you telling me still
Slap them boys when they're naughty
Make them crawl, make you haughty
Make you strong, little girl
You paint them toes the reddest color
And you know one day
You're gonna be bigger than a flea
You're gonna be bigger than that old poison ivy tree
Now I'm pretty sure
That I think you'd come and visit
And talk sometimes kinda like Gidget
A funny little chance like an Indian Brave
You said, "we all grew fat when the white man came"
But one day, girl, you're gonna learn to make 'em crawl
Make 'em grow tall
But have the grace
To be a lady with disgrace
And you fry them taters
And you make them with lady's hands
And know you're my pappy's baby
There's a frog on my toe
Maybe I'll call him Jethro
Maybe I'll grow up to be wise, as good as he
And maybe I'll come back after you're long gone
Papa I'm sure
The worms have eaten you now
And Jethro's been on some Frenchy's plate long ago
Now I'm pretty sure that I listen to every word
Cause I still hear you telling me still
Slap them boys when they're naughty
Make them crawl, make you haughty
Make you strong, little girl
You paint them toes the reddest color
And you know one day
You're gonna be bigger than a flea
You're gonna be bigger than that old poison ivy tree
Now I'm pretty sure
That I think you'd come and visit
And talk sometimes kinda like Gidget
A funny little chance like an Indian Brave
You said, "we all grew fat when the white man came"
But one day, girl, you're gonna learn to make 'em crawl
Make 'em grow tall
But have the grace
To be a lady with disgrace
And you fry them taters
And you make them with lady's hands
And know you're my pappy's baby
Lyrics submitted by merchantpierce
Frog on My Toe Lyrics as written by Tori Ellen Amos
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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i think it's a song about reminiscing your dead father. I think the girl's in the cemetery and she's visiting her dead father's grave and while she's there, she sees this frog Jethro (i don't know, frogs tend to be in wet and gloomy places like cemeteries)