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."
Your Song
Three Dog Night Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a travelling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
The core idea of this song is expressing love and gratitude towards someone. The singer describes his own limitations as a person, such as not having much money or being able to sculpt or make potions, but offers what he can -- his song -- as a gift to someone special. Despite feeling a bit insecure, he hopes that this simple song will be able to convey his message of how wonderful life is with that person in the world. The singer seems to be aware that words are not always the most effective way of expressing emotions or memories, and so he may have "forgotten if they're green or they're blue" when describing "sweetest eyes". However, it's clear that this doesn't diminish the depth and sincerity of his feelings.
Overall, "Your Song" is a touching love letter expressed through song. It highlights how love often comes from the heart and doesn't require any grand gestures or resources. It's a simple celebration of the joy that can come from being with someone you love, and an acknowledgement that words can sometimes fail to capture the richness of that experience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a little bit funny this feeling inside
This emotion inside me is somewhat amusing or strange
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I am not the kind of person who can easily conceal their feelings
I don't have much money but boy if I did
Even though I do not have a lot of money, I wish I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
I would use the money to buy a large home for us to share
If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Although being a sculptor would be nice, it is not my profession
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
It would also be interesting to be a potion maker in a traveling show
I know it's not much but it's the best I can do
What I am able to offer may be simple, but it is the best I have
My gift is my song and this one's for you
The best thing I can offer is my song, and this one is dedicated to you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
You can let everyone know that this song is meant for you
It may be quite simple but now that it's done
Although this song may be basic, it is still complete
I hope you don't mind
I hope this does not bother or offend you
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
I hope you don't take offense that I have put my thoughts into words
How wonderful life is while you're in the world
Life is fantastic with you in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
I sat on the roof and relaxed for a bit
Well a few of the verses well they've got me quite cross
Some of the song lines have been challenging to write and have caused me to be upset
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
The weather was beautiful while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
This song is for the people like you who keep the music playing
So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
Please forgive me for occasionally forgetting things
You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
I cannot remember if your eyes are green or blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Regardless of that detail, the important thing is what I am trying to express
Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
Your eyes are the most lovely I have ever witnessed
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN, WU HUIM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Christine Shire
on My Impersonal Life
Who sang vocals for this