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."
Put Out The Light
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I know you're loving me
Why should I care when
Joy is everywhere
How can I see the
Beauty of the light
Somebody I knew quite well
Somebody I loved
Done reached up and put out the light
(Put out the light)
Turn the day into night
(Put out the light)
I got this little melody
I think it's making it blue only
But then I hear the symphony
And that's what I use
When somethin's been gettin' the best of me
Put out the light
Turn the day into night
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
(Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
Why should I hurry
When I'm doing the best I can
Do what I do and
Now don't you understand
How can I see
The magic of the night
When Somebody I trusted
Somebody I knew quite well
Somebody I loved
Done reached up and put out the light
(Put out the light)
Turn the day into night
(Put out the light)
Somebody I trusted
Somebody I knew quite well
Somebody I loved
Somebody I knew quite well
(Trusted)
Somebody I Trusted
Somebody I knew quite well
Somebody I loved
Somebody I knew quite well...
The lyrics to Three Dog Night's song "Put Out The Light" convey a sense of confusion and melancholy. The singer is trying to understand why someone they trusted and loved has betrayed them, causing them to lose their sense of wonder and joy. The opening lines express a feeling of resignation, as if the singer has accepted that their happiness is dependent on the love of someone else. However, as the song progresses, we learn of the singer's disappointment and sadness as they describe how this person has "put out the light" - the metaphorical representation of the singer's hope and joy. The repetition of the phrase "somebody I trusted, somebody I knew quite well, somebody I loved" emphasizes the singer's lingering feelings of betrayal and confusion.
The lyrics also indicate a struggle to find solace and meaning in music. The lines "I got this little melody, I think it's making it blue only, but then I hear the symphony, and that's what I use when somethin's been getting the best of me" suggest that music is a coping mechanism for the singer when they are feeling down, but even that is not always effective. It's clear that the singer is searching for a way to regain the magic of life, but finds it difficult to do so in the absence of someone they loved and trusted.
Overall, "Put Out The Light" is a poignant portrayal of heartbreak and disillusionment. It suggests that the loss of a loved one can have a profound impact on a person's ability to find joy and meaning in life, and that even something as powerful as music may not always be enough to heal a broken heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Why should I worry
Why should I be concerned
When I know you're loving me
When I am aware of your affection for me
Why should I care when
Why should I be bothered when
Joy is everywhere
Happiness is abundant
How can I see the
How can I observe
Beauty of the light
The splendor of brightness
Somebody I trusted
A person I believed in
Somebody I knew quite well
A person I was acquainted with
Somebody I loved
A person I had affection for
Done reached up and put out the light
Extinguished the flame of hope
(Put out the light)
(Removed the optimism)
Turn the day into night
Transformed day into a period of darkness
I got this little melody
I have this small tune
I think it's making it blue only
I believe it is only causing sadness
But then I hear the symphony
However, then I listen to the vast array of musical sounds
And that's what I use
And that is what I utilize
When somethin's been gettin' the best of me
When something has been overwhelming me
Put out the light
Extinguish the hope
Turn the day into night
Transform the day into a period of darkness
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Yes, yes, yes
(Yeah, Yeah, Yeah)
(Yes, yes, yes)
Why should I hurry
Why should I be in a rush
When I'm doing the best I can
When I am giving my utmost effort
Do what I do and
Perform the actions I am undertaking and
Now don't you understand
Now, do you not comprehend
How can I see
How can I perceive
The magic of the night
The enchantment of the nocturnal period
Somebody I trusted
A person I counted on
Somebody I knew quite well
A person I was familiar with
Somebody I loved
A person I had strong affection for
Done reached up and put out the light
Extinguished the hope
(Put out the light)
(Removed the optimism)
Turn the day into night
Transform the day into a period of darkness
Somebody I trusted
A person I had faith in
Somebody I knew quite well
A person I was familiar with
Somebody I loved
A person I held dearly
Somebody I knew quite well
A person I was familiar with
(Trusted)
(Had faith in)
Contributed by Lauren N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christine Shire
on My Impersonal Life
Who sang vocals for this