I liked early Three Dog Night. And I enjoyed them even more when I discovered they were providing visibility for songs and artists that would become more prominent. At the same time, they highlighted songs that were overlooked or forgotten. TDN was a gateway drug.
They were vocalists Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton, augmented by Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards), Joe Schermie (bass guitar), Michael Allsup (guitar), and Floyd Sneed (drums). All except Hutton and Allsup are deceased.
Here is the song link code: the title is the TDN version, while the mentions of other artists direct you to their versions.
The album also known as One
- Three Dog Night (1968)
One was recorded by Harry Nilsson on his third studio album Aerial Ballet (1968). “The original issue of the TDN single version fades out about ten seconds before the final notes heard on the album version.” Since the album version is clearly better, it has been used in subsequent compilations.
It’s For You was a Lennon-McCartney song! It was a UK hit for Cilla Black in 1964, but it only reached #79 in the US.
Chest Fever is a song recorded by The Band on its 1968 debut, Music from Big Pink. But I didn’t buy Big Pink until after I had purchased The Band’s eponymous second album (the brown one) in 1969.
Bet No One Ever This Bad was on Randy Newman‘s first, eponymous album, which I never owned until my COVID music splurge. But I did not know this: the Alan Price Set issued recordings of the song (as “No One Ever Hurt So Bad”) and two other Newman songs on their 1967 album A Price On His Head.
The Loner was on the eponymous first album of Neil Young. Wasn’t he the guy from Buffalo Springfield? However, I never owned that album until I had purchased Neil’s 2nd, 3rd, and 4th albums, and CSNY’s Deja Vu.
The second album
- Suitable for Framing (1969)
Feelin’ Alright was written by Dave Mason for Traffic‘s first, eponymous album. (How many times will I write “eponymous” in this post?) Joe Cocker, among others, also recorded it.
Lady Samantha was an early Elton John song, written by John and Bernie Taupin, that failed to chart. I had a college friend who seemed to heavily identify with this song.
Eli’s Comin’ was written and recorded in 1967 by Laura Nyro. It was first released in 1968 on her album, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession.
- Captured Live at the Forum (1969)
A live album after only two studio albums? They were very popular.
Third studio album
- It Ain’t Easy (1970)
Cowboy was on that first Randy Newman album.
It Ain’t Easy, written by Ron Davies, was a hit for him in Canada in 1970. It was subsequently recorded by several others, including David Bowie.
Out In The Country is a song written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols. Williams recorded his for his 1972 album, Life Goes On.
Mama Told Me Not To Come by Randy Newman was written for Eric Burdon and the Animals and appeared on a French EP in 1966, then on the album Eric Is Here in 1967, if I understand this correctly. Newman recorded it for his second album, 12 Songs (1970). I also own the Tom Jones and Stereophonics version on Jones’ 34th album, Reload, in 1999.
Your Song, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, has a compelling story. “John was an opening act for the band at the time and allowed them to record it. They did not release it as a single because they wanted to let John, then an up-and-coming artist, have a go with it.” It was a hit.
- Naturally (1970)
Liar “is a song written by Russ Ballard of Argent from their 1970 self-titled debut album. It was released as the band’s first single, but did not chart.”
Joy To The World is a song written by Hoyt Axton
That’s enough for now. TDN continued recording songs by other artists, including (again) Axton, Newman, and Williams, as well as John Hiatt and Toussaint, while also leaning into songs by band members.
Here’s 1975 #1 pop hits, part 1 because the full list is too damn long, on which the majority of the #1s reigning for a single week. And it’s not just true for the pop list, but soul, country, and adult contemporary. Some songs crossed over to different charts, and I’ve noted the ones that hit #1 elsewhere.
