Three Dog Night is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California best … Read Full Bio ↴Three Dog Night is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California best known for their music from 1968 to 1975, during which time they achieved twenty-one consecutive Billboard Top 40 Hits and 12 consecutive Gold Albums. Three Dog Night are still active in 2012, touring and recording 43 years after their first album was released. The first of the band's 7 million-selling singles was One in 1969. They scored three number one singles: Mama Told Me (Not to Come), Joy to the World and Black and White.

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."

It's For You
Three Dog Night Lyrics

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I'd say some day
I'm bound to give my hert away
When I do
It's for you
It's for you
It's for you
You love true love
Seems to be all I'm thinking of

But it's true
It's for you
They said that love was a lie
Told me that I should never try
To find somebody who'd be kind
Kind to only me

So I just tell them they're right
Who wants a fight
Tell them I quite agree
Nobody'd love me
Then I look at you
And it's for you
It's for you
It's for you
Love comes love shows
I give my heart and no one knows
That I do

It's for you
It's for you

Overall Meaning

The Three Dog Night song "It's For You" is a heartfelt ode to love and the desire to find someone to share it with. The lyrics speak to the fear of being hurt and the skepticism of others who warn against love, but ultimately declare that the singer's heart is meant for someone special, and that they will give it freely.

The first verse sets up the idea that someday the singer will give their heart away, and that when they do, it will be for the person they are singing to. This is repeated throughout the song as the central message, and reinforces the idea that love is a powerful force that cannot be ignored. The second verse explores some of the doubts and negativity that can come from others who try to warn against love, but the singer pushes back against those voices, recognizing that the love they feel is real and genuine. The chorus reinforces the central theme of the song, repeating "It's for you" three times to drive home the message that the singer's heart is meant for someone special, and that they are willing to take a chance on love.

Overall, "It's For You" is a powerful and emotional song that speaks directly to the heart. It captures the vulnerability and hope that come with falling in love, and reminds us that sometimes we need to take risks in order to find happiness.

Line by Line Meaning

I'd say some day
At some point in the future

I'm bound to give my heart away
I will eventually fall in love

When I do
Once I fall in love

It's for you
My love is only for you

You love true love
You value genuine love

Seems to be all I'm thinking of
Love is constantly on my mind

But it's true
My love is sincere

It's for you
I love only you

They said that love was a lie
Others told me that love isn't real

Told me that I should never try
Advised me against pursuing love

To find somebody who'd be kind
To search for someone who would treat me well