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."
Sitting In Limbo
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know it won't be long
Sitting here in limbo
Like a bird without a song
Well, they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Sitting here in limbo
Sitting here in limbo
Got some time to search my soul
Well they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
I don't know where life will lead me
But I know where I've been
I can't say what life will show me
But I know what I've seen
Tried my hand in love and friendship
But all that is past and gone
This little boy is moving on
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the tide to flow
Oh, I'm sitting here in limbo
Knowing that I have to go
Well they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Sitting here in limbo
Waiting for the dice to roll
Sitting here in limbo
I got some time to search my soul
Well they're putting up resistance
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Sitting in limbo, sitting in limbo
Sitting in limbo (sitting, sitting in limbo)
Sitting in limbo (sitting, sitting in limbo)
Waiting for the dice to roll (sitting, sitting in limbo)
Sitting-sitting in limbo
[Repeat and fade]
The lyrics of "Sitting In Limbo" is about a person who is in a state of uncertainty and waiting for something to happen, but confident that his faith will guide him. The first verse describes the singer's situation, feeling like a bird without a song, with resistance put up against him. However, he is anticipating that he will soon overcome his hardships. In the second verse, the singer uses his waiting time to reflect on his life, where he has been and what he has seen. He mentions that he has tried love and friendship, but they have since moved on. He is hopeful that there will be something new and exciting in store for him.
The chorus repeats twice, and it emphasizes his sense of waiting and reflection in limbo. He is waiting for the dice and the tide to roll, indicating a feeling of being powerless and unsure about his next steps. The third verse reflects the theme of the first two, as it repeats the exact verses to fully show his waiting state. The song ends with again emphasizing the waiting time in limbo.
Overall, the song's message is about the uncertainty of life and that things will take time to develop or to happen as we hope them to. However, in these uncertain moments or times, our faith and reflection can lead us to move on to new and exciting adventures.
Line by Line Meaning
Sitting here in limbo
Feeling stuck and uncertain
But I know it won't be long
Hoping this situation won't last forever
Sitting here in limbo
Feeling stuck and uncertain
Like a bird without a song
Feeling aimless and unfulfilled
Well, they're putting up resistance
Facing obstacles and challenges
But I know that my faith will lead me on
Believing that things will get better if I persevere
Waiting for the dice to roll
Waiting for chance or fate to intervene
Got some time to search my soul
Reflecting and introspecting
I don't know where life will lead me
Feeling uncertain about the future
But I know where I've been
Remembering past experiences
I can't say what life will show me
Feeling unsure about what's to come
But I know what I've seen
Drawing on past knowledge
Tried my hand in love and friendship
Experiencing different types of relationships
But all that is past and gone
Putting the past behind me
This little boy is moving on
Moving forward despite uncertainty
Waiting for the tide to flow
Waiting for things to improve
Knowing that I have to go
Realizing that change is necessary
Sitting-sitting in limbo
Repeating the feeling of being stuck
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: GUILLERMO BRIGHT-PLUMMER, JIMMY CLIFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cc cant live without Farrar
This is one of Danny's best! The last note so long.... This should have been charted and a hit,!
Lisa Bella Donna
Such a perfect song. fantastic unit they were. ♡
ChihuahuaboyDH
Three Dog Night really hit one out of the park with this soulful jam!!! This should've been a big hit!!!
Bravo, Three Dog Night!!! R.I.P., Cory Wells, Jimmy Greenspoon, Jack Ryland & Joe Schermie (TDN's original bassist).
Eazy Street
What a great time to have been a teen! Those days are gone never to be again.
c moriarty
I agree! The music was phenomenal back then! Today's music is just okay in comparison.
Jackie Sanders
My precious brothers favorite song. His license plates were LIMBO 1 and LIMBO 2. Good memories. RIP Terry, I miss you
trfesok
Cover of a Jimmy Cliff tune from "The Harder They Come". I put both in my TDN playlist. Thanks for the upload!
William Gause
Deeply moving rendition of Jimmy Cliff's donh
William Gause
Deeply moving rendition of Jimmy Cliff's song
John Benn
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 76yo Aussie fan.