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."
Sinner Man
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sinner man, where will you run to?
Sinner man, where will you run to
All on that day?
Run to the sea
Sea, won′t you hide me?
Run to the moon,
Run to the stars
Stars, won′t you hide me?
All on that day
Lord said "Sinner man,
Sea will be boilin'".
Lord said "Sinner man,
The moon will be bleedin'".
Lord said "Sinner man
Stars will be fallin′"
All on that day
Lord, Lord,
Lord, won′t you hide me?
Lord, Lord,
Lord, won't you hide me?
Lord, Lord,
Lord, won′t you hide me?
All on that day
Lord said "Sinner man,
You should have been a-prayin'"
Lord said "Sinner man,
You should have been a-prayin′"
Lord said "Sinner man,
You should have been a-prayin'"
All on that day
Well, Satan, Satan,
Satan, won′t you hide me?
Satan, Satan,
Satan, won't you hide me?
Satan, Satan,
Satan, won't you hide me?
All on that day
Satan said "Sinner man,
Come right in"
Satan said "Sinner man,
Come right in"
All on that day
The lyrics of Three Dog Night's song "Sinner Man" depict a conversation between a sinner and various divine entities, expressing the sinner's desperation to find a place to hide on a fateful day of judgment. The sinner is seeking refuge from impending doom, running from the consequences of their actions. The repeated question, "Sinner man, where will you run to?" underscores the sinner's fear and uncertainty about finding a safe haven.
The sinner first suggests running to the sea, moon, and stars, in an attempt to find sanctuary in the vastness of the universe. However, the Lord responds that even these elemental forces will not provide solace, as the sea will boil, the moon will bleed, and the stars will fall on the impending day of reckoning.
Realizing the futility of seeking shelter from natural forces, the sinner implores the Lord to hide them. The repeated pleas to the Lord serve as a desperate cry for salvation and forgiveness. Yet, the Lord's response is that the sinner should have devoted their time to prayer and repentance, indicating that it may be too late for redemption.
In the final verse, the sinner turns to Satan, asking for protection and hiding. Surprisingly, Satan welcomes the sinner, inviting them to "come right in." This twist suggests that even in the depths of darkness, there may still be acceptance and refuge, however illusory or misguided it may be.
Overall, the lyrics of "Sinner Man" explore the themes of fear, guilt, and the search for redemption as the sinner faces the consequences of their actions on the appointed day of judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
Sinner man, where will you run to?
Oh, sinful individual, where do you think you can escape to?
Run to the sea
Attempt to seek refuge in the vastness of the sea
Sea, won't you hide me?
Oh ocean, can you please conceal me from my wrongdoings?
Run to the moon
Flee towards the distant moon
Moon, won't you hide me?
Dear moon, could you possibly shield me from my transgressions?
Run to the stars
Escape towards the celestial stars
Stars, won't you hide me?
Glorious stars, can you grant me solace from my sins?
Lord said 'Sinner man, the sea will be boilin''
The divine Lord proclaimed, 'Oh sinner, the sea shall be tumultuous'
Lord said 'Sinner man, the moon will be bleedin''
The Lord declared, 'Oh sinner, the moon shall exhibit signs of distress'
Lord said 'Sinner man, stars will be fallin''
The Lord declared, 'Oh sinner, the stars shall descend from the sky'
Lord, Lord, won't you hide me?
Dear Lord, dear Lord, would you kindly provide me with shelter?
Lord said 'Sinner man, you should have been a-prayin''
The Lord declared, 'Oh sinner, you ought to have been engaged in prayer'
Satan, Satan, Satan, won't you hide me?
Satan, oh Satan, could you possibly offer me refuge?
Satan said 'Sinner man, come right in'
Satan stated, 'Oh sinner, come inside willingly'
All on that day
During the specified day of future reckoning
Writer(s): (gb 1) Seekers (the)
Contributed by Austin G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Christine Shire
on My Impersonal Life
Who sang vocals for this