Redback on the Toilet Seat

It is popular Australian trivia that the song Redback on the Toilet Seat was by Slim Dusty, when in fact it was written and sung by Slim Newton.

It was Slim Newton's first record and earned him three gold records.
Tamworth, N.S.W. : Yeldah Music, c1972.

Redback On the Toilet Seat Lyrics

By: Slim Newton

There was a red-back on the toilet seat
When I was there last night,
I didnt see him in the dark,
But boy! I felt his bite!
I jumped high up into the air,
And when I hit the ground,
That crafty red-back spider
Wasnt nowhere to be found.

I rushed in to the missus,
Told her just where Id been bit,
She grabbed the cut throat razor blade,
And I nearly took a fit.
I said, Just forget whats on your mind,
And call a doctor please,
Cause Ive got a feeling that your cure
Is worse than the disease.

There was a red-back on the toilet seat
When I was there last night,
I didnt see him in the dark,
But boy! I felt his bite!
And now Im here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight,
And I curse that red-back spider
On the toilet seat last night.

I cant lay down, I cant sit up,
And I dont know what to do,
And all the nurses think its funny,
But thats not my point of view.
I tell you its embarrassing,
And thats to say the least
That Im to sick to eat a bite,
While that spider had a feast!

And when I get back home again,
I tell you what Ill do,
Ill make that red-back suffer
For the pain Im going through.
Ive had so many needles
That Im looking like a sieve,
And I promise you that spider
Hasnt very long to live!

There was a red-back on the toilet seat
When I was there last night,
I didnt see him in the dark,
But boy! I felt his bite!
And now Im here in hospital,
A sad and sorry plight,
And I curse that red-back spider
On the toilet seat last night.

Still today (2011) many many web sites refer to Slim Dusty as the composer including popular TV shows like Millionaire on Channel 9 which had Eddie McGuire explain the song was sung by Dusty Newton.