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."
Roses And Rainbows
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd give up everything
Just to have you near me 'cause
Roses and rainbows are you
The sky is always blue
Whenever I'm with you
I think I just love you 'cause
I love the way you hold my hand
The way you understand
The way you make me feel
Like I'm your man
Way up in the sky
I think I see why
The birds do all their singing 'cause
Roses and rainbows are you
Roses and rainbows are you
I love the way you hold my hand
The way you understand
The way you make me feel
Like I'm your man
Way up in the sky
I think I see why
The birds do all their singing 'cause
Roses and rainbows are you
Roses and rainbows are you
Woo hoo hoo
Woo hoo hoo
The lyrics of "Roses And Rainbows" by Three Dog Night express the depth of emotions and the devotion one can have towards a loved one. They start with a hypothetical scenario where the singer imagines himself as a king who would gladly give up everything to be close to the person they love, conveyed with a sincere and emotive tone. The chorus emphasizes the special place the loved one holds in the singer's life by stating that they equate to roses and rainbows, which are usually symbolic of beauty and happiness.
The second verse builds on this feeling of connection, suggesting that the beloved one has the power to make everything seem brighter, with the sky always being blue when they're together. The singer then lists out the various aspects of their partner's personality that they love, such as the way they hold their hand, understand them, and make them feel like they're valued. The final lines of the song bring the verses together, reflecting that just as the birds sing because of the beauty of roses and rainbows, the singer cherishes their partner due to their positive influence on their life.
Overall, "Roses And Rainbows," encapsulates the feeling of being deeply in love and the transformative effect that it has on one's outlook towards life. The lyrics combine with the soothing melody of the song to evoke imagery that feels almost fairy-tale like. The song can inspire introspection and appreciation, encouraging listeners to value and cherish their bonds of love.
Line by Line Meaning
If I were a king
If I held the power, I would give up all of my possessions just to have you near me.
I'd give up everything
I value your presence so much that I would sacrifice all that I have.
Just to have you near me 'cause
You are so precious to me that being in your company is worth more than anything else.
Roses and rainbows are you
Your very essence is like roses and rainbows, representing beauty, love, and joy.
The sky is always blue
My world is perfect when I'm with you, and there is no hint of sadness or gloominess.
Whenever I'm with you
Being with you fills me with happiness and contentment.
I think I just love you 'cause
I can't pinpoint exactly why I love you, but I know that I do deeply and sincerely.
I love the way you hold my hand
Your touch is comforting and reassuring, and makes me feel loved and appreciated.
The way you understand
You have a unique ability to empathize with me and see things from my perspective.
The way you make me feel
You bring out the best in me and make me feel like a better person.
Like I'm your man
Your love and care make me feel masculine and strong, like I can conquer the world.
Way up in the sky
Even in the vast expanse of the universe, something tells me that you are still the most beautiful thing.
I think I see why
I feel like I'm understanding the true nature of beauty and love in your presence.
The birds do all their singing 'cause
Even nature itself sings in delight when you are near, because of the happiness and beauty you bring.
Roses and rainbows are you
Your very essence is like roses and rainbows, representing beauty, love, and joy.
Woo hoo hoo
Expressing a feeling of excitement or joy.
Woo hoo hoo
Expressing a feeling of excitement or joy.
Writer(s): Danny Hutton
Contributed by Aria M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christine Shire
on My Impersonal Life
Who sang vocals for this