The original lineup included three lead vocalists — Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells — along with Michael Allsup on guitar, Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards Floyd Sneed on drums and Joe Schermie (from the Cory Wells Blues Band) on bass.
Three Dog Night recorded some tracks with Beach Boys producer, composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist Brian Wilson before signing with Dunhill Records and at the time went under the name Redwood. The band changed their name based on an article describing how Australian Aborigines slept with their dogs for warmth on cold nights, the coldest being a "three-dog night."
Brickyard Blues
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't saying what you're playing just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play something sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Well, I started to sweat
She said "Don't get upset 'cause you just might break a string
And that won't do a thing for your show
So I said to myself
I said "Self, do you see what is sailing through my soul?"
And I gotta have some more, don't ya know
Play something sweet, play something mellow
Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play something sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
It's enough to make it light in the dark
It's enough to make a bite just a bark
It's enough to make a body move around
It's enough to make a rabbit hug a dog
Play something sweet
Well, I tried to run my game
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't saying what you're playing just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play something sweet, play something mellow
Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play something sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play something sweet, play something mellow
Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play something sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
"Play Something Sweet" is a song by American rock band Three Dog Night, released in 1974. The lyrics are about a man trying to impress a woman by playing his guitar, but the woman is tired of hearing the same old thing and asks for something sweet and funky. The man is initially frustrated but eventually realizes that he needs to change his approach to make an impression on the woman.
The song has a catchy chorus and a funky beat, with soulful vocals and guitar riffs. The lyrics highlight the importance of being able to connect with someone on a deeper level, and how sometimes we need to adjust and adapt to make that connection happen.
The song was written by Allen Toussaint, a renowned songwriter, producer, and performer who was known for his contributions to the funk and soul genres. Toussaint's music was heavily influenced by the rhythms and traditions of his hometown of New Orleans.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I tried to run my game
I attempted to impress the person with my musical skills
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
The person is tired of hearing the same style of music and wants to hear something new
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
The person is not interested in seeing the same performance repeated
And she started to explain
The person began to clarify their request for a different type of music
She said "Man, I ain't saying what you're playing just can't make it
The person acknowledges the musical talent, but wants to hear something different
But I just can't take it anymore"
The person has reached their limit for hearing the same type of music
Play something sweet, play something mellow
The person wants to hear a softer and more relaxing type of music
Play something I can sink my teeth in like Jello
The person wants to hear music that they can really enjoy
Play something I can understand
The person wants to hear music that is easy to comprehend
Play me some Brickyard Blues
The person requests a specific type of music that they know and enjoy
Play something sweet and make it funky
The person wants a mix of soft and upbeat music
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
The person wants to relax and enjoy the music
It's enough to make it light in the dark
The music brings positivity to a negative situation
It's enough to make a bite just a bark
The music has the power to change a person's behavior or mindset
It's enough to make a body move around
The music has a physical effect on the body
It's enough to make a rabbit hug a dog
The music can bring two unlikely things together
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Cerph
"Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)"
Well I tried to run my game
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go, for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't sayin' what you're playin' just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Well I started to sweat
She said "Don't get upset, 'cause you just might break a string
And that won't do a thing for your show
So I said to myself
I said "Self, do you see what is sailin' through my soul?"
And I gotta have some more, doncha' know
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
It's enough to make it light- in the dark
It's enough to make a bite- just a bark
It's enough to make a body- move around
It's enough to make a rabbit- hug a dog
Play somethin' sweet
(instrumental)
Well, I tried to run my game
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go, for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't sayin' what you're playin' just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
@suanne3244
Well, I tried to run my game
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't sayin' what you're playin' just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Well, I started to sweat
She said "Don't get upset 'cause you just might break a string
And that won't do a thing for your show
So I said to myself
I said "Self, do you see what is sailin' through my soul?"
And I gotta have some more, don't ya know
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
It's enough to make it light in the dark
It's enough to make a bite just a bark
It's enough to make a body move around
It's enough to make a rabbit hug a dog
Play somethin' sweet
Well, I tried to run my game
She said "Man, that's the same old thing I've heard before"
And I'm too tired to go for your show (again and again)
And she started to explain
She said "Man, I ain't sayin' what you're playin' just can't make it
But I just can't take it anymore"
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet, play somethin' mellow
Play somethin' I can sink my teeth in like Jello
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
Play somethin' sweet and make it funky
Just let me lay back and grin like a monkey
Play something I can understand
Play me some Brickyard Blues
@kande6916
Another underrated song by Three Dog Night!!! They cannot with their music be duplicated!!!
@ensignstephens8102
First time I heard this I was 11 in a few days I will turn 56 and it is still one of the best songs I have ever heard ,its amazing how the good ones stick with you! Thanks for the memories!!!
@dallasbrubaker6054
John Lennon was asked by Tom Snyder why many of the old songs are still hits today. He said because a good song is a good song and it can stand.
@DeanMk1
Same here, Ensign. -b
@TheBrooklynbodine
You and i are the same age, then. I was 11 when this came out, and I'll be 59 next June 10, the Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise. Posting 2-26-22.
@JeanieHammondcatfeet
8 yrs old 1st time, now 61 and still listening! Great album too!
@kentkizer9145
After Joy To The World 🌍 & Black And White.....I LUV This Bluesy Rock !!!
@janinesenatore3870
Damn, Cory was the freaking best!
@musiccollector
L-O-V-E it! One of their best. Three Dog Night forever! Released on September 1974 reaching #33 on November 16.
@Adulteducation8
When I was 7 in 1974, I had this 45, I still do, I’ve always loved this song! It was their last Top 40 hit