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."
One
Three Dog Night Lyrics
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Two can be as bad as one
It's the loneliest number since the number one
No is the saddest experience you'll ever know
Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
'Cause one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
It's just no good anymore since you went away
Now I spend my time just making rhymes of yesterday
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
It's just no good anymore since you went away
(Number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
(Number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
(Number)
One (one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do)
(Number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
(Number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
The lyrics of Three Dog Night’s “One” paint a picture of an individual who is struggling with loneliness after a breakup. The first stanza emphasizes the idea that “one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,” suggesting that being alone is an unwelcome and unsettling experience. The second stanza describes the sadness of rejection: “No is the saddest experience you'll ever know / Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know.” The chorus repeats the idea that “one is the loneliest number,” and that it’s even worse than being in a bad romantic relationship.
The bridge implies that the singer’s loneliness is a direct result of the breakup: “It's just no good anymore since you went away / Now I spend my time just making rhymes of yesterday.” It’s clear that the individual is struggling and has yet to find a way to cope with this newfound loneliness.
Overall, the song “One” beautifully captures the intense emotions of loneliness and heartbreak, something that many people can relate to at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
Two can be as bad as one
Having someone else (but feeling alone even with them) can be just as horrible as being truly alone.
It's the loneliest number since the number one
No other number can compare to the loneliness you feel as an individual.
No is the saddest experience you'll ever know
Rejection is one of the most heartbreaking things that can happen to a person.
Yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
Even though giving an affirmative answer can feel great, saying no can still be much worse.
'Cause one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
The reason why being alone is so painful is that nothing else can create that same level of sadness.
One is the loneliest number, whoa, worse than two
Being alone is even worse than being in a bad relationship.
It's just no good anymore since you went away
Everything became difficult and meaningless when you left.
One is the loneliest
The loneliest
One is the loneliest
The loneliest
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
One is the loneliest (number)
The loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
The loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
One is the loneliest (number)
The loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
The loneliest (number)
One (one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do)
Loneliness (one) is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
Being alone is the most painful feeling that you will ever experience.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Edward Nilsson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christine Shire
on My Impersonal Life
Who sang vocals for this