The Brothers Four are an American folk group founded in 1957 in Seattle, Wa… Read Full Bio ↴The Brothers Four are an American folk group founded in 1957 in Seattle, Washington. Bob Flick, John Paine, Mike Kirkland, and Dick Foley met at the University of Washington, where they were members of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity in 1956. Their first professional performances were the result of a prank played on them in 1958 by a rival fraternity, who had arranged for someone to call them, pretend to be from Seattle's Colony Club, and invite them to come down to audition for a gig. Even though they were not expected at the club, they were allowed to sing a few songs anyway, and were subsequently hired. Flick recalls them being paid "mostly in beer."

They left for San Francisco in 1959, where they met Mort Lewis, Dave Brubeck's manager. Lewis became their manager and later that year secured them a contract with Columbia Records. Their second single, "Greenfields," released in January 1960, hit #2 on the pop charts, and their first album, Brothers Four, released toward the end of the year, made the top 20. Other highlights of their early career included singing their fourth single, "The Green Leaves of Summer," from the John Wayne movie The Alamo, at the 1961 Academy Awards, and having their second album, BMOC/Best Music On/Off Campus, go top 10. They also recorded the theme song for the ABC television series Hootenanny, "Hootenanny Saturday Night," in 1963.

The British Invasion and the ascendance of such folk musicians as Bob Dylan put an end to the Brothers Four's early period of success, but they kept performing and making records, doing particularly well in Japan and on the American hotel circuit.

The band attempted a comeback by recording a highly commercial version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." But the band was unable to release it because of licensing issues, and The Byrds eventually stole their thunder by releasing their heralded version.

Mike Kirkland left the group in 1969, and was replaced by Mark Pearson, another University of Washington alumnus. In 1971, Pearson left and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who stayed until 1989 and was replaced by a returning Pearson. Dick Foley left the group in 1990 and was replaced by Terry Lauber. Despite all the changes and having spent 47 years in the business, the group is still active today (2004).

Frogg No.1
The Brothers Four Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Words and Music by : Bob Flick-Dick Foley-Mike
Kirkland/John Paine

This is a story about a hip frog.
And we're gonna pick up on it now and
he's on his way out to do some shuckin' and jivin'.
You'll be able to tell right away that he's a big mover.

SINGING:
Frogg went a-courtin' and he did go, un-huh
Frogg went a-courtin' and he did go, un-huh
Frogg went a-courtin' and he did go
To the Coconut Grove for the midnight show,
Un-huh un-huh un-huh.

Mollie Mouse was the hat-check girl, woo-woo
[spoken: he knew it all the time]
Mollie Mouse was the hat-check girl, woo-woo
Mollie Mouse was the hat-check girl
He thought he'd give this chick a whirl,
Woo-woo, woo-woo, woo-woo.

He sauntered up to Mollie Mouse's side, un-huh
[spoken: the direct approach]
He sauntered up to Mollie Mouse's side, un-huh
When he got up to Mollie Mouse's side
He whispered "Mollie will you be my bride?"
Un-huh un-huh un-huh.

Not without my Uncle Rat's consent, uh-uh
[spoken: her uncle wrestles on TV]
Not without my Uncle Rat's consent, uh-uh
Not without my Uncle Rat's consent
I wouldn't marry the President,
Uh-uh uh-uh uh-uh.

Well, she said "That's it, Clyde, better hit the road,
farewell"
"That's it, Clyde, better hit the road, goodbye"
"That's it, Clyde, better hit the road"
"You ain't no frog you're a horned toad, farewell, goodbye,
adios"
Farewell, goodbye, adios
[spoken: You know, I believe that,uh, any more verses to
this song would be anticlimactic; think we ought to end it]
Farewell, goodbye, adios
[spoken: Hey, ain't you gonna let me finish up?]
Farewell, goodbye, adios
[spoken: Aw, shut up, I'm your leader]
[spoken: No, no hands, no hands]

[spoken: Auf Wiedersehen]

Farewell, goodbye, adios
Farewell, goodbye, adios...

Overall Meaning

The Brothers Four's song "Frogg No. 1" is a fun and lively tale about a cool frog on his way out to the Coconut Grove for the midnight show. The song is filled with playful lyrics that paint a picture of a confident frog who is a smooth mover. The song opens with the introduction of the main character, Frogg, with the lyrics "This is a story about a hip frog. And we're gonna pick up on it now, and he's on his way out to do some shuckin' and jivin'." From the beginning, the lyrics establish the Frogg's personality as a mover and shaker who is always on the move.

The song then moves on to describe Frogg's encounter with Mollie Mouse, the hat-check girl at the Coconut Grove. Frogg tries to impress Mollie with his charm and wit, but she tells him that she can't marry him without her Uncle Rat's consent. Frogg exits the story with a whimper, not a bang, as Mollie tells him that he's not a real frog but a horned toad. The song is light-hearted and fun, a perfect example of The Brothers Four's ability to create whimsical and entertaining folk music that captures the spirit of the times.

Overall, "Frogg No. 1" is a playful and entertaining song that tells the story of a cool frog's night out at the Coconut Grove. Through the use of lively lyrics and a catchy melody, The Brothers Four create a memorable tale that is sure to put a smile on anyone's face.

Line by Line Meaning

This is a story about a hip frog.
The following song narrates a tale about a stylish frog.

And we're gonna pick up on it now and he's on his way out to do some shuckin' and jivin'.
The song will describe the cool frog heading out to groove and enjoy himself.

You'll be able to tell right away that he's a big mover.
The audience will immediately recognize that the frog has got some slick moves.

Frogg went a-courtin' and he did go, un-huh
Frogg set out with the intention of pursuing romance with someone.

To the Coconut Grove for the midnight show, un-huh un-huh un-huh.
Frogg went to the Coconut Grove to attend the midnight show there.

Mollie Mouse was the hat-check girl, woo-woo
Mollie Mouse was responsible for maintaining the hats, and Frogg was enamored with her.

Mollie Mouse was the hat-check girl
Mollie Mouse's job was to take care of the hats guests checked in.

He thought he'd give this chick a whirl, woo-woo, woo-woo, woo-woo.
Frogg decided to try his luck with Mollie Mouse.

He sauntered up to Mollie Mouse's side, un-huh
Frogg walked over casually to Mollie Mouse's location.

When he got up to Mollie Mouse's side, he whispered "Mollie will you be my bride?" un-huh un-huh un-huh.
Frogg asked Mollie to marry him when he reached her.

Not without my Uncle Rat's consent, uh-uh
Mollie couldn't marry Frogg without her uncle's approval.

Not without my Uncle Rat's consent, I wouldn't marry the President, uh-uh uh-uh uh-uh.
Mollie would even refuse the President if her Uncle Rat didn't approve of it.

"That's it, Clyde, better hit the road, farewell"
Mollie decided to break up with Frogg following the rejection.

"You ain't no frog you're a horned toad, farewell, goodbye, adios"
Mollie insulted Frogg by calling him a horned toad, and said goodbye.

Farewell, goodbye, adios
Mollie bade farewell to Frogg and parted ways.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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