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."
The Family of Man
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Billboard horizons as black as they seem
Four level highways across the land
We're building a home for the family of man
And it's so hard whatever we are coming to
Yes it's so hard with so little time
And so much to do
One man to lead us with so much to say
Moving the mountains that got in our way
Prayer books and meetings to find a plan
Deciding the fate of the family of man
Memories replacing the loves that we've lost
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
Factories built where the rivers ran
And time running out for the family of man
The verse of "The Family Of Man" by Three Dog Night describes the despair of contemporary urban life, the hollowness in the dreams that brought people into the city. "This tired city was somebody's dream" highlights how big cities were once upon a time a source of aspiration and hope for a better life, but this has not been achieved. The line "Billboard horizons as black as they seem" describes the darkness in cities, including the chaotic and congested state, the polluted air, and the losses that people experience such as jobs, loved one, or relationships. The four-level highways referred to in the lyrics represent the modernization, rapid infrastructure development and urbanization that was happening at the time making the lyrics resonate with the audience in the 1970s when the song was released.
The chorus of the song spells out a pessimistic message that suggests that humanity is running out of time - "Time running out for the family of man." The phrase highlights the urgency of the situation of human existence as one man cannot single-handedly save the fate of humanity. The song praises leaders' efforts by saying, "One man to lead us with so much to say, Moving the mountains that got in our way, Prayer books and meetings to find a plan, Deciding the fate of the family of man" but underlines the magnitude of the challenge with the phrase "with so much to do." In conclusion, "The Family Of Man" depicts urbanization as a challenge that humanity must face together, with leaders working tirelessly in the face of daunting challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
This tired city was somebody's dream
The city we live in was once someone's hopeful vision for the future.
Billboard horizons as black as they seem
The landscape of our city is marred by commercial advertising campaigns.
Four level highways across the land
The infrastructure of our society is heavily focused on car transportation.
We're building a home for the family of man
We are trying to create a better world for all people to live in.
And it's so hard whatever we are coming to
Despite our best efforts, the future seems uncertain and difficult.
Yes it's so hard with so little time
We are racing against time to make positive changes.
And so much to do
There is a lot of work to be done in order to make the world a better place.
Time running out for the family of man
The clock is ticking, and we must act quickly to prevent disaster from striking humanity.
One man to lead us with so much to say
We need a strong leader to guide us towards a brighter future.
Moving the mountains that got in our way
Our leader must be able to overcome great obstacles in order to succeed.
Prayer books and meetings to find a plan
We will need to bring people of all faiths and backgrounds together to forge a path towards progress.
Deciding the fate of the family of man
Our choices and actions today will determine the future of humanity.
Memories replacing the loves that we've lost
As we lose people and things important to us, we must cherish the memories they leave behind.
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
We have a tendency to discard relationships and connections as soon as they are no longer convenient or useful.
Factories built where the rivers ran
Industry often prioritizes profit over the environment, leading to the destruction of natural resources.
And time running out for the family of man
Humanity is running out of resources and time to make meaningful changes to our way of life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jack Conrad, Paul Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
AntiHoplophobia
Lyrics: (verses only)
This tired city was somebody's dream
A billboard arising as black as a seam
A four level highway across the land
We're building a home for the family of man
Prices are rising, the devil's to pay
Moving the mountain that got in the way
Prayer books and legions define a plan
Deciding the fate of the family of man
Memories replacing the ones that are lost
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
Factories' bilge where the rivers ran
Time's running out for the family of man
Nick Madness
"The Family Of Man" is my #1 favorite song by 3 Dog Night. 👍
They had a looong string of hits. Part of the soundtrack of our lives.
THREE DOG NIGHT made quite a contribution to the music world in a unique way, and that is ➔ as they were having all those hits, they put a lot of then unknown songwriters on the map.
Check it out 👇👇
➖One = was written by totally unknown in 1968 Harry Nilsson.
➖Eli's Coming = Written by Laurie Nero. (She's from The Bronx, MY hometown! Just saying.) She then wrote many other hits for artists like Blood Sweat and Tears, and Barbara Streisand ("Stoney End")
➖Mama Told Me = Randy Newman certainly benefited.
➖Out In The Country = Paul Williams (also wrote "An Old Fashioned Love Song" and cowrote "The Family Of Man") and Roger Nichols.
➖Joy To The World = Certainly cemented Hoyt Axton's presence on the map.
He also wrote "Never Been To Spain"
➖Liar = written by an up and coming Russ Ballard, who later was lead singer & lead guitarist for ARGENT.
➖Pieces Of April = Written by soon to be quite known Dave Loggins, who in 1974 would have his own hit, the huge top-5 "Please Come To Boston," and wrote many hits for others, especially major Country artists.
➖Sure As I'm Sittin' Here = Wow! Thanks to 3 Dog Night, this song earned then unknown songwriter John Hiatt a recording contract with Epic Records. Since then he has released 22 studio albums, two compilation albums and one live album. Here's something very impressive ➔ According to Wiki, A variety of artists in multiple genres have covered his songs, including Aaron Neville, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Chaka Khan, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Delbert McClinton, Desert Rose Band, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, Iggy Pop, I'm with Her, Jeff Healey, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Joe Bonamassa, Joe Cocker, Keith Urban, Linda Ronstadt, Mandy Moore, Maria Muldaur, Nick Lowe, Paula Abdul, Paulini, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Ry Cooder, Suzy Bogguss, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Searchers, Three Dog Night, Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, and Willy DeVille. The Dutch singer/songwriter Ilse DeLange recorded the album Dear John with nine of his songs.
And finally, a huge favorite of yours truly:
➖The Show Must Go On = Written by then unknown Leo Sayer and David Courtney.
Speaking of Leo Sayer, Roger Daltrey's first solo album ("Daltrey") was mostly Sayer/Courtney songs.
Please check this one out from that album ➔ https://youtu.be/TrVeCHbRBrI ← Folks, this is one of the most POWERFUL, amazing vocal performances I've ever heard in my whole life. Roger Daltrey, my Lord he is one of the very best!
johnny zell
This tired city was somebody's dream
Billboard horizons as black as they seem
Four level highways across the land
We're building a home for the family of man
And it's so hard whatever we are coming to
Yes it's so hard with so little time
And so much to do
Time running out for the family of man
One man to lead us with so much to say
Moving the mountains that got in our way
Prayer books and meetings to find a plan
Deciding the fate of the family of man
Memories replacing the loves that we've lost
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
Factories built where the rivers ran
And time running out for the family of man
Robert
This tired city was somebody's dream
Billboard horizons as black as they seem
A four-level highway across the land
We're building a home for the family of man
Prices are rising, the devil's to pay
Moving the mountain that got in the way
Prayer books and meetings to find a plan
Deciding the fate of the family of man
So hard
Whatever are we coming to?
Yes, it's so hard
With so little time and so much to do
Memories replacing the loves that we lost
Burning our bridges as soon as they're crossed
Factories built where the rivers ran
Time's running out for the family of man
So hard
So hard
So hard
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
So hard, family of man
Julius Schwencke
..that little double kick bass drum fill, with the bass following up right on time, is a testament to the rhythm section of this unique band. They are soooo good.
Tracy Kingston
Just needs a bit more cowbell , then would be perfect. Saying this for a friend. Cheers.
BudIce05
It's a disgrace that The Three Dog Night is not in the Rock and Roll HOF
Ronnie K
Agreed!
eric walker
agreed
Carlos Garcia
Same thing they did with Rush.
Linda Safley
Great band I remember.
So real A wonderful song.
Jay J. Jackson
This band had some of the best harmony ever.
ProudKansan08
I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas Palazzi
Each singer sang a verse!