Three Dog Night Albums Ranked From Worst to Best

[@deathfromabove77]

Don’t know anything about this band except the well known singles . Don’t think I have the stamina to sit out the whole discography tbh, but will check out a couple of the higher ranked albums . Kudos to Jason for taking on the unpopular choice as he does sometimes. Have learnt much from a lot of his recommendations ( and discovering further Mott The Hoople / Ian Hunter gems was one of the highlights from the channel for me thanks to him 🙏) . Totally agree with Kramzer , why should this channel blow their load and cover the obvious ( Stones etc)? They’ll get there eventually .. you guys have expanded my musical knowledge no doubt..and I thought I knew a good bit .👍…also here to smash the like button of course 👊🏻

[@janpoelkamp4229]

Yeah, the usual suspects always get their place in the sun. From that perspective I think The Stranglers would be a great choice. Also Gentle Giant, Van Der Graaf Generator, Simple Minds, INXS or Echo And The Bunnymen.

[@mrp4242]

Yeah, I think its great that they mix in lesser known artists, fairly well known artists, generic bands, superstars, etc. No reason to only hit up the big boys, though I can’t wait for their take on U2. IN addition to the bands mentioned above I’d add: Bob Marley Coldplay Toad the Wet Sprocket Talk Talk Thompson Twins Moody Blues Radical Face Blur Midnight Oil Enya I’m sure there’s tons more out there, bigger and smaller……

[@TastesLikeMusic]

@@mrp4242 Coldplay's coming in a few weeks when the new album comes out. -Jason

[@edgustafson]

@@TastesLikeMusic Coldplay is interesting because they were pretty good for a bit then just got terrible. They're sort of Blondie-esque in that regard.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

@@edgustafson well you pretty much narrated the coldplay video already - kram

[@canadianstudmuffin]

I'm on Jason's side! Three Dog Night were a great band and one of the biggest bands in the early 70's.

[@threestringsomg]

And I thought you were a Sparks fan sir Studmuffin....🤨...🤠. Now that's a great band. 3🐕🌃 were not with all due respect...but I will be back tomorrow to hear Jason's points...nighty night!

[@jupitermadcat]

I agree

[@DRUMTOY2002]

THANK YOU!!!

[@vinylrichie007]

There is actually a big difference between the Byrds and Three Dog Night.

[@frangarcia7774]

I think the point Jason raised was fair but the band he chose to compare was probably not the best one because it's difficult to argue how much more The Byrds brought to the covers they did than 3DN and because the quality and volume of their own material isn't comparable between the two bands

[@garrettredd2541]

Very much looking forward to the "Yes" episode, what a discography!!

[@wesleyorser4451]

Jason’s dog has been waiting for this one for a long time.

[@12spanku]

I know absolutely nothing about this band but I'm here watching as always. Like Jason said in the intro the episodes with differing opinions are often the best ones. The U2 listography might be the one I look forward to the most.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

It will be a bloodbath -Jason

[@12spanku]

​@@TastesLikeMusic I do remember during Albums of the Year when How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb came up it seemed by the look on your face you had something on your mind regarding that record.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Probably that it wasn’t worth discussing on a show about good albums. -Jason

[@lionelraoul]

I'm also looking forward to that one.

[@garrettredd2541]

@@TastesLikeMusic hahaha - wow ....... i like that album quite a bit, but ill be honest i HATED it for the longest time, but listening year later with different perspective it really grew on me and some of those tracks are among my favorite of U2

[@joeyruss3933]

One that I’m honestly quite interested to hear your guys’ thoughts on is the discography of Parliament/Funkadelic. Funk isn’t really something you guys talk about much, so I would be interested in seeing that.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

That would be fun (for me). Dunno about the two squares. - Joe

[@LisaTedescoVC]

I would love this so much and so should other bass players! 💜🎸

[@markgatica12]

I'm all for this, however the ground rules would be insane. There are so many variations of the P-Funk brand. So much overlap, so much back and forth, so much interchanging rosters. The thread that unites all of it is George Clinton, but he has spread out over so many projects. The only way that makes sense would be to include everything, but then the scope is probably around 50 albums. It would take a week to do them all justice.

[@LisaTedescoVC]

@@markgatica12 A logistical nightmare, for sure. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame’s induction committee managed to parse out Parliament-Funkadelic, that’d narrow it some. Honestly, I just support covering a discography of any Black-inclusive funk band.

[@joeyruss3933]

I think Kramzer might like the early Funkadelic stuff a lot at least. Not sure about Jason though. Still would be a great video to watch

[@anthonybernard3689]

Thanks for putting the next few listography artists in the notes-please continue!

[@LisaTedescoVC]

Three Dog Night will always have a place in my heart because I was a child of the 70s and my dad would drink a few too many gin and tonics and sing Shambala at the top of his lungs. Horrifying at the time, hilarious now. He’s 75 now and still jamming 😂 I haven’t been playing along but I’m still watching and support you guys. ✌️♥️🎶

[@kevtruth]

I can hear him howling "Ouwoooooooo, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

[@LisaTedescoVC]

@@kevtruth now picture a shirtless Italian guy shaped like Humpty Dumpty with a glass in one hand, a pretend mic in the other, doing a weird figure eight twist that seems to defy gravity 🤣

[@vinylrichie007]

Comparing Three Dog Night to white wonder bread is an insult. An insult to wonder bread. That said, I think Three Dog Night’s version of Mama Told Me (Not To Come) is better than Randy Newman’s. Their version of Eli’s coming is also very good. Saying that they should’t have covered the song because Nyro’s original is so much better is a bit flawed. Considering at the time hardly no one had heard Nyro’s version. Also their version of One is really good.

[@CalicoSilver]

I think Three Dog Night's main contribution was that they introduced the music of many other good artists to their listeners....or at least those who took the time to see whose names were in the parentheses next to the song titles on the records. But I agree with Richie here in that they very rarely improved on the originals. Three Dog Night is to pop-rock what Peter Paul & Mary was to folk music.

[@vinylrichie007]

@@CalicoSilver I couldn’t have said it better. I enjoyed this video and only doing the Mount Rushmore of Rock would be too predictable.

[@vinylrichie007]

I really enjoy these worst to best videos. It is smart to not pick the heavy hitters right away. Choices that I think would be interesting. 60’s - Lovin’ Spoonful 60’s-70’s - Ten Years After 70’s - Patti Smith 80’s - Beastie Boys, Butthole Surfers 90’s - Brian Jonestown Massacre

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

Patti Smith would be a good one; also Ten years After

[@PaulShemmy]

Top video guys… great exploring the less acclaimed bands… your channel is the best !!!!

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Thank you ❤️ - kram

[@allthingsmustpass1]

I grew up obsessed with these guys and even met Chuck once (he hit on my mom). They still hold a special place in my heart and probably always will. I know they’re not up there with the legends, but man that’s a lot of hate. Jason’s got it right here. I would’ve been backed into that corner with you. Not an all time great, but pretty good for me.

[@mrp4242]

Didn’t know much about this band, other than when their ‘big’ hits come on the radio, I usually switch it. I actually didn’t even though they were a mostly covers band. But Jason has me convinced I should at least listen to a couple of the highest ranked albums here. Nice video discussion.

[@gregv4741]

I was excited to see you ranking TDN because I really love their singles, but I was disappointed by all the hate. I don’t know a whole lot about the albums except Harmony and Seven Separate Fools and both of those are pretty good imo. I don’t usually agree with Jason’s taste, but we are in sync this time. I look forward to what his fav songs are.

[@markgatica12]

This was rough. I have mixed feelings here. Three Dog Night was my first "favorite band." "Captured Live at the Forum" was the first album I ever bought. I was 10 years old at the time. I played the hell out of that album for two years. But then I discovered Top 40 radio, and that was that. I put them away and haven't listened to them since. At that time I didn't realize that most of their songs were covers. I just liked them and listened to them. Things started to go South with "Joy To The World." Over the next five decades I have written them off and pretty much forgotten about them. Until this week. I will not rank their albums, as I have never listened to them and do not have time to do so. But I will put up a top 10 songs tomorrow, which will not be too different from what I would have made 50 years ago. Kudos to Jason for hanging in there. It was brutal. I feel for you.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

🤣

[@jerrythomas828]

I'm a huge fan of Three Dog Night! My rankings are: 10. Three Dog Night (Chest Fever and Loner are best) 9. It Ain't Easy (Your Song and Out in the Country are best off this album) 8. Suitable for Framing (Celebrate is the best song) 7. Naturally (Most songs are good! Like the heavier sound) 6. Hard Labor (Didn't care for intro either, but most songs are good!) 5. American Pastime (Didn't mind the funky/disco. Decent songs) 4. Coming Down Your Way (Most songs are good) 3. Harmony (Good record) 2. Seven Separate Fools (One of their strongest) 1. Cyan (Their strongest!)

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

"I was almost never upset with the organ'.....now there's an advertising slogan for an album.

[@offandrunning8771]

Good to see Jason choose this band, and I like his album rankings.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

Yup, a Listography where Jason is the one being ganged up on by the other two was a long time coming. Now we need one where Kramzer is the only fan.

[@Vanessa.P]

Three Dog Night has never really been a band I've thought about at all so I didn't know what to expect with this episode. You guys didn't disappoint though because this was a lot of fun. I needed an hour of laughter today after a long day.

[@Dkatanasoul0]

Personally, I never listened to Three Dog Night, but I love Kramzer’s explanation of not wanting you “blow your load” so fast. My takeaway thoughts: 1) I certainly enjoyed this opportunity to explore a “new” band for me. 2) I think it’s great that you guys cover lesser acknowledged artists in addition to more recognizable names, and agree that the episodes in which you disagree are genuinely entertaining. 3) That said...I sure am looking forward to that Rolling Stones remaster! The upcoming 2021 remix of Tattoo You sounds like a good impetus for that...

[@billkeon880]

Their hits were all fantastic, perfect radio hits for the late 60s, early 70s. Haven’t delved into the albums, but all the hits were the definition of radio pop, and their harmonies are great. Mama Told Me is first rate.

[@jamesgriffithsmusic]

It's an interesting thought-experiment to do, but I remember when I was a young kid and collecting records, it would never occur to me to wonder who had written my favourite songs, or if the person singing (or the band playing) on the record was the composer or not. I had a 45 of 'Morning is Broken' by Cat Stevens which I loved, but if someone had told me he hadn't written the song, it wouldn't have altered my appreciation one bit. By the same token I had cover versions of Beatles songs that were not credited to 'The Beatles' (just 'Lennon & McCartney'), but I was too young to read label credits at that point, so I loved various of their songs without having any clue they were written by the same guys. In fact, I was even probably too young to realise that songs got 'written' at all - I probably just thought they were magic'd out of the ether. I guess a lot of stuff we learn as we 'fall' into adulthood and start getting uptight and pedantic about music, lol. (I should add that I once picked up a Three Dog Night album from good will, and it stayed in my collection for about a week before going back to good will. Maybe it wasn't their best record).

[@Jerlwayne]

I was born in 1969 and I can tell you that Three Dog Night ruled the airwaves in the 1970s for all the RIGHT reasons. Pop rock bands deserve respect...and so do covers bands. Elvis Presley was a covers artist for god's sake. Jason is 100% right to feature this band - and TDN is better than the Byrds point blank.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Ludicrous. - Joe

[@stevefleming8742]

Unplug your ears fella. The byrds are awesome

[@curly_wyn]

Also fun fact that definitely gonna piss Kramzer off: Joy to the World was the biggest song of 1971. It was #1 on the year end chart. 😜

[@SilasBeau123]

LOVED Cory Wells. His voice is incredible, he can sing anything.

[@stevemcgill355]

Three Dog Night was kind of a high class covers band that got a lot of radio airplay back in the day. They did a nice job of choosing and reworking other people's songs into catchy radio friendly pop tunes. They made a lot of money, got old & started suing each other. I do like their version of "Liar".

[@ijeff2005]

This 'controversial' pick made for an interesting and lively discussion. I sort of agree with all three of you! Back in the day I was very fond of many of the Three Dog Night singles. I only purchased one album as a kid and coincidentally, it was Jason's #1 pick "Harmony". From today's perspective I don't think any of their albums rise above a 3 star rating and most would rate lower for me. For anyone wishing to check them out today, I'd say listen to "The Complete Hit Singles" which includes all 21 charted songs. Don't waste your time digging further. Even if you like most of the hits, you probably won't find enough additional good stuff to warrant listening to all their albums. Congrats to Kram and Joe for making it through all 10 albums!

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

>"From today's perspective I don't think any of their albums rise above a 3 star rating." That's exactly where I found myself at the end of the week. I thought the early part of their discography was fine (4 of their first 5 albums got 3 stars from me) but I also can't promise I'd ever return to them (which is what I'd need to get to 3.5 stars.)

[@kiwiian8051]

Same for me, I did like 3 Dog Night as a kid in the 70s and Harmony was the only studio album I ever owned. To me all the songs were new so comparisons with the originals only came later. Nowadays I still regard them with some affection though I no longer own anything by them. I would not listen to a whole album now but One and Liar still sound good!

[@jupitermadcat]

I grew up in the 70's when I was 9 or 10 I bought my very first record it was a 45 of old fashioned love song. I played it relentlessly. I grew up with the singles they were popular I liked them. I really don't understand the hate.

[@edgustafson]

Other than their hits, which kind of range from "decent" to "actively dislike" for me, I never heard a Three Dog Night album. I skimmed a couple of albums, but they didn't do enough for me to try to tackle a list. I think Joe's description of them as competent band at a casino is probably the most apt.

[@Ianmackable]

A side note: No band clogged up the cutout bins of the 70s quite like Three Dog Night did. Hard Labour must have sold, maybe, twelve total copies at actual retail price.

[@shawnw8717]

They clog up used record stores these days....

[@earwormcity9391]

Gentlemen, I'm not here to hate on 3 Dog Night. I grew up in the 70s, so I went from early to late teens at the time when they were all over the radio. Never minded the songs, felt like they mixed in well with everything else I was hearing over the airwaves at the time. My mother actually liked them, she brought home LPs of Seven Separate Fools and Harmony, so I heard those a lot and life was good. I even have some admittedly hazy memories of road trips with my best pal in high school in his hand-painted van. Cruising down the highway with Captured Live at the Forum blasting on his 8-track player, a big cooler full of Olympia beer tucked in behind our seats. My concern this time was hearing both Jason and Kramzer sorta indicate that you chose 3 Dog Night, at least in part, because you don't want to blow through all of the "huge" names too soon. So may I humbly offer this list of so-called (not by me, necessarily) second-tier bands, that might provide all three of you with a little more spark and enthusiasm. I don't think you've done any of these yet, if I'm wrong, ignore the suggestion. Still plenty for you guys to disagree about, if that's what you're going for. Personally, I don't need you guys to disagree to enjoy the channel, I enjoy the discussion either way. Overall, love the channel and watch every post. Without further ado: 1. Lou Reed 2. Allman Brothers Band 3. The Blasters 4. Los Lobos 5. Lou Reed 6. Leonard Cohen 7. Linda Ronstadt 8. Dawes 9. John Hiatt 10. Lou Reed 11. Ian Hunter (inspired by your fabulous Mott the Hoople episode) 12. Rickie Lee Jones 13. Patti Smith 14. Boz Scaggs 15. Lou Reed Give me a shout if you'd like some more names, or if I forgot somebody like Lou Reed.

[@davidbeckman7925]

There are KZbin music enthusiasts out there unfamiliar with the Listography channel who might think they'd be barking up the wrong tree if they bothered watching three random chuckleheads rank Three Dog Night albums for over an hour, but those KZbin viewers would be terribly mistaken. You guys are just The Best. I've been watching countless Listo shows for nearly a year now and this 3 Dog Night Album show feels like some kind of weird celebration of how fantastic and fun and interesting and sublime this channel has become. J, J, and K are firing on all cylinders here. Such great stuff throughout this show. I give Jason a lot of credit for his instincts in suspecting this would be a Best In Show episode. I don't care one whit about Three Dog Night, but Listo 4ever 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶

[@viscountpalmerston]

I sought out 'Good Feeling' on the Three Dog Night official KZbin channel. Comments are turned off, which is probably for the best!

[@johnnyborealis]

comments section eerily absent of top 5's.....but i stand with jason on his choice, great discussion, guys

[@andrewdyke5561]

On the byrds albums ranking, I even comment on how happy I was you guys were doing yes . Than u did this . I've not even heard one song by this band

[@andrewdyke5561]

I do feel about jason in this , jason you have had some great picks man, mott the Hoople is awesome man

[@jupitermadcat]

Got to side with Jason on this. This band brings back childhood memories. Joy to the World!

[@stephenheacock5855]

Compared to you guys, I'm old. I grew up with Three Dog Night hits on the radio. I liked the majority of their AM tunes, but on the whole, thought their albums contained too much filler. They did not compare favorably with the bands I liked the best. My favorite was always Naturally. No other was good enough to listen all the way thru. Once Black & White was released, I lost interest. As Kramzer says, the sentiment is good, but the song just misses. I do want to make one point: although they did other writers' material, much of it (certainly not Try a Little Tenderness or Chest Fever) was unknown when it was released. For example, their Your Song came out first and Elton (virtually unknown at the time) wasn't sure he'd ever record it. Soon after, he changed his mind. That said, I don't care for the TDN version and it remains one of my favorite Elton songs. But when TDN recorded it, they didn't have a classic to compete against. Keep it up, guys. I enjoy your presentations.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

Never listened to any of their albums before. Only ever heard the hits on the radio. In that sense, this has been an educational experience. Never knew just how many hits they had. Didn't know it was them on "Celebrate," "Out In The Country," or "Easy To Be Hard." I never had any inkling to look into their discography. My findings: so much of their music is just headache-inducing. Sometimes, my listening experience with the songs wouldn't make 30 seconds. I just knew it wasn't for me. I think it's the organ sound. What I am finding with Three Dog Night is that less is more. Honestly, Kram and Joe, I think you were generous in the stars you gave. I've listened thru "Cyan" at this point, and right now, I have 10 contenders for a Top 10. That's not saying much - those are just 10 songs I wouldn't mind listening to - not necessarily 10 songs I'd SEEK OUT to listen to. There's a big difference. At the moment, I'd put their first album at #1 simply because there are 3 songs on there that are going to make my top 10. The rest are tied for 2nd/Last place. Furthermore, the Hard Labor album cover has to be one of the worst album covers ever.

[@dmichaelelkins1]

First concert I ever attended! Do I listen to them these days? Not often but they did bring a lot of listening joy to me as a teenager so I appreciate you giving them some attention. As for knocking them for being a “covers band” for not writing their own songs, until The Beatles, no one cared if an artist did not write their own songs. Sinatra, Elvis, the great Motown groups and most country artists, even today, don’t write their own material. It’s the performance that counts.

[@hazydavo]

Ok firstly, Three Dog whoooo? Not sure why I’d never heard of them. Were they only popular in North America?? Anyway, great episode boys. Gave me a few good chuckles at times. However unlike other ones you’ve done I don’t think I’ll be in a hurry to check out any of these albums. Power to you though Jason for not compromising your love and appreciation of this band.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

1. Harmony (1971) 3/5 2. Three Dog Night (1968) 3/5 3. It Ain't Easy (1970) 3/5 4. Naturally (1970) 3/5 5. Suitable For Framing (1969) 2.5/5 6. Cyan (1973) 2.5/5 7. Seven Separate Fools (1972) 2.5/5 8. Hard Labor (1974) 2/5 9. Coming Down Your Way (1974) 2/5 10. American Pastime (1976) 2/5 CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER: 3.0 Three Dog Night (1968) 2.5 Suitable For Framing (1969) 3.0 It Ain't Easy (1970) 3.0 Naturally (1970) 3.0 Harmony (1971) 2.5 Seven Separate Fools (1972) 2.5 Cyan (1973) 2 0 Hard Labor (1974) 2.0 Coming Down Your Way (1974) 2.0 American Pastime (1976) I knew Three Dog Night's hits but had never listened to a full album before this week. Given that almost all their songs are covers my ratings came down to whether I thought their versions were as good as (or better than) the originals. Ultimately, I didn't think they had a very high batting average in that regard. They would "hit the mark" 2 to 4 times per album but would "miss the mark" most the rest of the time. Their output from '68 to '71 is decent but I'm not convinced any of their albums are consistently good enough to justify revisiting them. MY RATING SYSTEM: 5.0 = major classic 4.5 = minor classic 4.0 = great 3.5 = very good 3.0 = good 2.5 = fair 2.0 = poor 1.5 = awful 1.0 = historically awful I don't go below 1 star because once I'm in the realm of the truly terrible I don't care to differentiate anymore. Anything I rate 3.5 stars or higher is an album I'm enthusiastic about and would likely revisit at some point.

[@179rich]

I likely won't be revisting them either, certainly not while I'm trying to keep up with the Listography guys. If someone put on their first album though I would happily groove along to it.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@179rich I was toying with giving the Harmony album 3.5 stars. I think it's their best one. But I still can't say for *sure* that I'd revisit it. Too much other great music out there.

[@keithheitner1020]

I grew up with TDN, born in 1961. Loved them when I was a kid and still like them. No mention of "Easy to be Hard"??. That's their best tune by far!

[@burmajones803]

"I wonder how music critics would rank Three Dog Night's discography." Said no one ever. (I couldn't resist, but it isn't true. Return of Rock and Classic Rock History have ranked their albums. Rock Pasta could only muster a top 5 ranking.) Against that competition, you will be a go to source for opinions on Three Dog Night. Congratulations.

[@sherryraisbeck9547]

Jason's the "top DOG"....once again. I have a best of album, had no idea they covered Your Song. Great commentary all around, just knowing Kramz and Joe felt like putting their fists thru a wall while listening made me giggle....Alot🤣

[@bengalgangster]

hey buddy , they do a good job on your song , i think . its probably a HM on my 3 dog nite list !! TTYL!

[@sherryraisbeck9547]

@@bengalgangster good afternoon kind sir!!...yeah, I'm going to check that song out. TTYL:)

[@deanjonasson6776]

Great job, Jason! I think your ranking of the albums is pretty accurate (especially for NATURALLY and HARMONY). Nice to hear a thoughtful survey of a band from my early teens. Fantastic radio fare! Though they were a singles band, some of their albums have interesting deep tracks. There's a difference between a "covers" band and being "interpreters". Three Dog Night were a band with great ears who could consistently transform songs to make them their own. And they were a band, so even if a cover seemed obvious or redundant ("Your Song"), the players would bring something unique to the arrangements (the acoustic guitar hook in that same song). Hearing "Eli's Coming" got me into Laura Nyro but I still prefer their version. Many other great songwriters got their first hits through Three Dog Night (and the Carpenters; 5th Dimension; and Blood, Sweat & Tears). Most of the writers were little known as entertainers before their songs were covered. Linda Ronstadt would be another, later "interpreter" of note. Joe is correct that "One" is the definitive version of that song. Note though that "It's For You" is not a Beatles song: it's a Cilla Black song written for her by Lennon-McCartney. Hope you're feeling better soon, Joe. I would recommend seeking out their first concert album from 1969, CAPTURED LIVE AT THE FORUM. It highlights how strong a live act they were in the era of great live bands. Thanks again, Jason, for choosing Three Dog Night and successfully fending off the bards of your buddies.

[@davidellis5141]

It's not April. It would be a challenge to go through the dollar bins & collect their catalog. Who seriously owns a Three Dog Night album ? 😕 The Randy Newman cover played in Boogie Nights is OK. I mean that movie makes Magnet & Steel seem like a good song. Walter Egan - Do him next week 😆

[@paint1955]

Every thread needs a snob

[@davidellis5141]

@@paint1955 Been waiting for you to show up & owning your snobbery 😆

[@Ianmackable]

Magnet and Steel is awesome.

[@shortsleave]

Winning quote: “Even their second best album just feels…wildly unnecessary”. Had to stop the video just to have a good hearty laugh.

[@davidodell6608]

Fascinating program. Even though I am many years his senior, I tend to agree with Jason and his comments. One thing I bristle over is calling Three Dog Night a "cover band". To me, they made these songs written by other persons their own. Three Dog Night had their own unique sound: great vocalists, great band...and, I love Floyd Sneed's drums. My favorite album is "Naturally"! Good stuff!

[@dtchinacat3973]

Linda Ronstadt didn't write most of her songs and she's great!

[@garrettredd2541]

I guess the difference is that woman could ELEVATE a song to the stratosphere - brilliant interpreter

[@davidellis5141]

Clint Ballard Jr raked in the 💸 from Bettie Everett , Linda & Van Halen all covering You're No Good.

[@stevefleming8742]

Linda ronstadt has one of the greatest voices in music ever

[@rockingbirdey]

I had no idea who Three Dog Night were until a couple of months ago. The only reason I found out about them was because I was browsing the Billboard Hot 100 charts of the 70s and they had the No. 1 song of 1971 and several other big hits. I was born in '98 so as an outsider looking in I'm not that impressed with the albums I've listened to. They have a couple of good singles though.

[@thecroft6070]

Aaaaaaargh, this morning I'd never even heard of this band. I really miss this morning!

[@slaydesaid8741]

Great comment 🤣

[@flaviojosefo7130]

Last week of October for: T H E - C R A N B E R R I E S 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@pauljohnson5925]

In French they would be “Nuit de trois chiens”…. That’s all I’ve got on this one 🤷‍♂️

[@spicoli4217]

Yeah I definitely have a bias against artists that do lots of covers or bands that exist purely as a covers band. I consider Three Dog Night to be the premier "mostly covers" band though. When I was in my teens, I legit thought most of their well known songs were originals. Doesnt matter. They are great song interpreters and have good voices/musicianship. They arent high on my list, but they are by no means bad. Im glad it was covered by you guys.

[@syater]

"Joy to the World" made me avoid them. But I was recently surprised to discover the first Three Dog Night album had songs I actually consider good choices. I like finding albums on which an artist has curated songs that are entirely or mostly covers, BUT with which they add something new, arrangements, etc. That's not really TDN. I always appreciate artists that I think of as having particularly good, versatile voices. This practice was more the norm in the Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Elvis, era. Later there were Linda Ronstadt, Bryan Ferry, and so on. So, this is mostly about the song choices, but their voices are pretty good for their era. This is just songs, I can't do their albums: Easy to Be Hard Feeling Alright Heaven is in Your Mind Chest Fever Don't Make Promises The Loner Lady Samantha Dreaming Isn't Good for You Good Time Living I Can't Get Enough of It Sunlight

[@syater]

@alan lake True.

[@thirdcoast5755]

I think a lot of their songs were by unknown or little known songwriters - even their Elton covers were from when he was relatively obscure - so they did elevate a lot of these songs commercially, if not artistically, which is what you’d expect from primarily a singles band.

[@ttmilbr]

1) Harmony - 5* 2) Seven Separate Fools - 4.5* 3) American Pastime - 4* 4) It Ain't Easy - 4* 5) Hard Labor - 3.5* 6) Suitable for Framing - 3.5* 7) Three Dog Night Debut - 3* 8) Coming Down Your Way - 3* 9) Cyan - 3* 10) Naturally - 2.5*

[@TastesLikeMusic]

5 stars for Harmony? That's what I'm talkin' about. -Jason

[@ttmilbr]

@@TastesLikeMusic Got your back on this one Jason. And hey, any time you can annoy Kramz that's a good thing.

[@edgustafson]

Is that 5 stars out of 10?

[@ttmilbr]

@@edgustafson Boo! I don't know what's "good" but I know what I like, and it just has a beautiful 70s sound to me.

[@threestringsomg]

Great point on Its For You Kramzer....I have it on my top 10 list...but it's reaaaaally annoying when amongst fairly slim pickings overall probably the best single moment of music for me fades out after less than 2 mins🤷‍♂️

[@DamnableReverend]

Very interesting, as always, guys. i've never listened to a Three Dog Night album, just heard some ole' radio hits. I had a friendwho complained loudly for a while when his partner seemed obsessed with them and wouldn't stop listening to them. that was kind of funny. People like it when you guys were at war! The Sonic Youth video was loads of fun. The Chicago comparison strikes me as odd, personally, because even though I'm aware they have loads of smatlzy stuff, to me, Chicago will always be that jazzy, mostly instrumental-oriented band with all the horns, which is what I like them for. Sounds *nothing* like Three Dog Night -- at least not at their best. Really looking forward to yes ! You guys should revisit Deep Purple. I know jason did them in one of the early ones. Also David Bowie would be fantastic. Would you ever consider doing uFO?

[@hackermusic3355]

I was driving down the road one night with a girl and had my Three Dog Night 8-track playing, mostly because they were popular with my friends. She asked me to play something with a better beat and pulled a Doobie Brothers tape out of her purse. I had to admit she was right.

[@Ianmackable]

TDN's recording of Your Song came out a few months before Elton's. It wasn't heard as a cover at the time. It's also worth noting that for nearly everyone, TDN's versions of Nyro were the first versions they heard. They played a big part in introducing Nyro, Newman, Nilsson, Elton et al to a mass audience. Which doesn't necessarily mean they were good.

[@shortsleave]

Exactly. "Eli" wasn't "too famous" for Three Dog Night to cover as the only reason that song was famous was because of the Three Dog Night Cover. That was the famous version. And yes...doesn't necessarily mean it was good. ;-) Also, Hard Labor did have a hit: "The Show Must Go On". That was a big hit in '74/'75.

[@Ianmackable]

@@shortsleave The single was big in '74, but the album tanked. My older brother was working in a record store at the time, and they couldn't give that thing away.

[@threestringsomg]

I kinda thought your song was a cover by Elton....that's good to have it confirmed ta....and yeah a rare case of the original not living up to the later famous version...trying to think of other examples of covers better than originals beyond All Along The Watchtower....🤔

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Elton wrote it. - Joe

[@Ianmackable]

@@TastesLikeMusic He wrote the music. Bernie wrote the words. Which brings us back to something a commenter said yesterday. Given that Elton has spent his whole career singing someone else's words, where does he fit in the whole covers vs originals "authenticity" debate? To me he proves how silly the whole debate is.

[@frodofraggins]

Hmm. I can appreciate the reason why Jason chose the band. But when one person hates all of the albums and another really likes most of them there's really not much debate that can occur I guess. Joy to the world is an earworm but something kids like at least(like many Ringo songs). I had no idea they didn't write their own material. That's pretty damning really but maybe it shouldn't be.

[@ijeff2005]

I was surprised that they actually wrote any of their songs. They didn't write any of the hits, but they had very good taste in songwriters and for many of those songwriters, they were very happy to have Three Dog Night turn their songs into hits. I believe one of their hits was written by John Hiatt which would have predated any of his solo success and would have been the first song of his that was turned into a hit.

[@Gardosunron]

I like "Naturally" that's a 4 star album! The first side is some pretty fierce funk and the ballads are tolerable until Jerimiah.

[@phillipanderson7398]

Reviewing albums from a band who is best served by their many compilation albums. They were a great singles band and a pretty ordinary albums band. That said a double compilation might not be as good as a one disc compilation, Three Dog Night is a pretty cool name.

[@Beetlehair]

It’s well documented that Your Song was offered to the band before Elton decided to release it himself. Also Randy Newman’s career was saved by 3 Dog recording Mama Told Me. Also, cover bands only play big hits that everybody knows. One, Eli’s Coming, Mama Told Me, Out in the Country, One Man Band, Liar, etc. These were not hits until 3 Dog Night recorded them. Their unique concept of 3 lead singers was a fresh idea when they arrived on the scene in ‘69, and especially their early records were great. I agree in time their choice of material became less interesting, but their first 5 or so LPs were excellent.

[@threestringsomg]

Yeah great job Jason....not easy to be surrounded by not much love for your own taste🏆👍

[@GravelordNito150]

My parents were Three Dog Night fans and used to play their greatest hits album on every road trip my family went on so I have a LOT of nostalgia for them despite having been born long after they were active. That said, they were clearly more of a "singles" band than an album band and a deep dive into their discography like this is probably ill-advised.

[@rockjagg1]

1970s had Three Dog Night. 1980s had Huey Lewis and The News. 1990s Hootie and the Blowfish. 2000s Nickleback. Every generation has its middle of the road, not too deep, competently played but inoffensive faceless rock that you could play in front of your parents and they not be too offended by it. And they each sold many millions. That being said, I do like “One is the Loneliest Number “ but I’ve never had the inclination to buy a TDN album.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Gotta tackle Little Feat guys! Such a great American band. Would love to see a list for them. Or another Elton John with all three of you. Love your channel ! ✌️❤️🇨🇦

[@andrewdyke5561]

Crqzy underrated I love their albums

[@mattymac1399]

I concur, Little Feat are superb!

[@179rich]

10) Harmony (2 stars) 09) American Pastime (2.75 stars) 08) Coming Down Your Way (3 stars) 07) Hard Labor (3.25 stars) 06) It Ain't Easy (3.75 stars) 05) Cyan (3.75 stars) 04) Seven Separate Fools (3.75 stars) 03) Naturally (4 stars) 02) Suitable for Framing (4 stars) 01) Three Dog Night (4.5 stars) notes: * Never did it occur to me to listen to a Three Dog Night album. Now I've heard them all repeatedly. This is just some good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. And these guys could really sing. There's great singing on all these albums, save for the last one which is a significant drop off in quality singing. * Maybe these guys didn't write too many originals, but they could pick great songs to cover. They took heat for covering "Try a Little Tenderness" made popular by Otis Redding; some critics regarded the song as sacrosanct, but I think that's BS. True, sometimes their version of a given cover song is clearly lesser than other versions and it's like listening on karaoke night. "It Ain't Easy" and "Your Song" (at their best in the hands of David Bowie and Elton John respectively) are standout examples of this (which didn't help improve the It Ain't Easy album very much). * Speaking of It Ain't Easy, the original "Wizards of Orange" album title and cover art concept featuring the band nude and covered in orange paint would have been supremely cheesy and far more memorable. * We get a little gospel on Cyan and a weird theremin toward the end of the first cut. The drugs taking their toll? *Hard Labor is built around some artificial circus theme. I could not find the original version with the two "Interludes" but I'm guessing I'm not missing much. * Disco creeps into their last album American Pastime. The first three tracks are not good (and "Billy the Kid" gets 1 star) but there's some good deep cuts, especially the excellent Soul-Funk-Disco of "Southbound." 0 stars - irredeemably terrible/ the worst .5 stars - terrible 1 star - bad 1.5 stars - between bad and fair 2 stars - fair 2.5 stars - meh 3 stars - OK 3.25 stars - pretty good 3.5 stars - good 4 stars - very good 4.5 stars - excellent 5 stars - the shizznistle

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I very much disagree with the order of your list, but from your comments it seems like you get it. Glad you found that you liked some of it. -Jason

[@179rich]

@@TastesLikeMusic We're close on a few albums. The most glaring difference is your choice of Harmony for #1 and my choice to put it last at 2 stars. I rated a handful of these songs 2 stars but maybe I just need to spend more time with them.

[@threestringsomg]

Wow you did all 10 Rich. kudos to you. Only managed 5....👍👍only got as high as 3.5 or so stars though....and our top 4 are same selections but differing order despite my half hearted efforts....

[@179rich]

@@threestringsomg Again, my ratings are based on how good I think the music is, not how likely I think I will reach for them again in the future (not likely).

[@threestringsomg]

@@179rich yeah I dig that....same for me. I just go with the feels each time too.

[@TheLocalZeroChannel]

i think Jason brought up an interesting topic that i'd like to hear you talk about... almost wondering if your Side Three is going to be about it; bands that mostly play covers. Cuz, that used to be the way things were done. Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra didn't write songs. Elvis didn't write. Motown's a bit different cuz they had an inhouse writing team so the groups were usually putting out the first version of a tune. But Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, Vanilla Fudge... not only didn't they write much, but they covered current hits by other bands. The Beatles kinda broke the mold a bit by writing so much.

[@zacharypopp3549]

My parents are pretty into Three Dog Night. It's pretty hard for me to sit through more than a few songs, though. They introduced me to "Eli's Coming", but I totally forgot their version after hearing Laura Nyro's. I like "Joy to the World" and "Never Been to Spain" and think they probably don't get better than that.

[@threestringsomg]

I will watch tomorrow guys but ready to post the albums I managed in a mo....just 5 done but what the hey....I'm getting busy....and I gotta now make sure I can squeeze 20 Yes albums into the next week....🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯...ah music, the things I do for you....

[@janpoelkamp4229]

Had to interrupt to check out the falsetto on Good Feeling. Oh boy, my cat is looking really ticked off right now…

[@dtchinacat3973]

I LOVE "Three Dog Night" how can they not like that great very unique music? But all you need is a good Greatest Hits!

[@andrewlaitres9080]

Those two guys came off very smug.

[@BazStrickland]

Boyyyyzzz I am as ignorant of this band as I am of rush, Aerosmith and the vast majority of the later catalogue of Lenny Kravitz , the eurythmics and u2. I’m going to try at least one of your #1 choices. I’ve no idea what to think so far. Fascinating stuff

[@bengalgangster]

here goes , i like some of their songs, but it was a bit of a tough journey down memory lane here 10 american pastime 9 coming down your way 8 cyan 7 seven separate fools 6 harmony 5 it aint easy 4 hard labor 3 suitable for framing 2 three dog night 1 naturally this is a more songs list ,than album list for me, so tomorrow more favorable ps god i hate that term "yacht rock"

[@threestringsomg]

Well done for doing a list....can't see many this week! 🤔👍

[@ignatiusjackson235]

- Chicago with Terry Kath - Three Dog Night - Chicago without Terry Kath

[@hazydavo]

Just started watching. Strap in!!!

[@jbellinger99]

MY FIRST CONCERT EVER - SYRACUSE, NY 1971 - They are how i discovered Randy Newman! Thanks - lots of fun in this video - i laughed a lot

[@janpoelkamp4229]

As a born European I’m completely unfamiliar with this band, but gonna watch it anyway because I always enjoy it. Great shirt, Kramz, and a great album! Nice counterreaction to the band on display as well, lol. I recently got the MFSL cd of War which you might wanna check out. Lifts it out of the murk and some of the songs are longer. Wasn’t Yes coming up soon?

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Yes is next

[@12spanku]

@@TastesLikeMusic I appreciate the way you're doing it now with announcing the bands a good time in advance, not just the upcomimg week. Gives people like me who don't have time to participate every week the chance to pick and choose, or get started a week early.

[@janpoelkamp4229]

@@TastesLikeMusic Awesome. Been going through my studio albums box set again recently so I’ll post my list.

[@pete3105]

I had heard one song by Three Dog Night before (Easy to Be Hard, which plays in the intro to David Fincher's Zodiac), but that was it. Never even heard them mentioned before, so it was basically a completely unknown band to me. I didn't like their discography one bit, and maybe I was a little harsh in my ratings, but it was just so bland and uninteresting. 10. American Pastime (1976) ★ 9. Hard Labor (1974) ★½ 8. Coming Down Your Way (1975) ★½ 7. Seven Separate Fools (1972) ★½ 6. It Ain't Easy (1970) ★★ 5. Cyan (1973) ★★ 4. Harmony (1971) ★★ 3. Naturally (1970) ★★ 2. Suitable for Framing (1969) ★★½ 1. Three Dog Night (1968) ★★½ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst

[@DCToonTime]

Hats off to Jason for choosing Three Dog Night for the Listography treatment when he knew Joe and Kram would hate it. They were HUGE back in the day and deserve further discussion. I find my personal musical taste to be closest to Jason, so this was a welcome surprise for me as well. I am a bit older than you guys and am intrigued by your reactions to music that was created before you were born. Here are 10 insights/fun facts about 3 Dog Night and your reactions ... 10) Agreed, they wrote very few songs. You missed one that was not on an album. It was the B Side to the "Brickyard Blues" single appropriately titled "Our B Side". Clever and funny. It addresses everyone's complaint that they DON'T write their own material. 9) Remember greatness can come dispite not writing your own songs. Elton John never wrote lyrics and The Carpenters catalogue is largely other people's tunes. There is a real talent in picking material to record and Three Dog Night hit more homeruns than dribblers to second base! 8) While we are on the subject of Elton John, we can thank Danny Hutton for helping Elton's music career to really skyrocket. He befriended him and got the band to record "Your Song" and "Lady Samantha". 7) I think we can all agree the vocal on "Good Feeling" is the absolute low point in their discography! 6) The album cover for "Hard Labor" is absolutely god-awful and creepy! 5) Personal taste comment here ... I do not care for Randy Newman's voice, nor Bob Dylan, yet they are great songwriters. So the Corey Wells vocals on his tunes to these ears are far superior. 4) Personal taste comment #2 ... I love when all three voices are wailing and harmonizing. I do not find it over the top. But different strokes, right? 3) I started to bail on them with the singles "Black & White" and "The Show Must Go On" BLEAH! 2) I am going to disagree with Jason. I prefer Three Dog Night's version of "One" to Nilsson's. Also, every Laura Nyro tune is better by the Dogs. Nyro is a great songwriter and a true artist but to me her vocal delivery is at times bizarre. 1) I will give you my Top 3 albums ... how appropriate! 3)The debut 2) Harmony 3) Suitable For Framing

[@TastesLikeMusic]

The cover of Hard Labor is pretty wacky, and you’re not the first to mention it in the comments, but I like it. Like the weird circus interludes on the album...things should be allowed to be fun and goofy sometimes. -Jason

[@DCToonTime]

@@TastesLikeMusic I am all for fun and goofy. One of our favorite artists, Todd Rundgren, uses humor all the time. But that Hard Labor cover is disturbing! The birther's face and those skeleton legs!

[@angelrising8589]

I've had to watch this over two nights, still not through it. Doesn't inspire me to listen to the band. Like the way Jason is fighting his corner though. Good video as always. Any chance of The Cocteau Twins one day?

[@jillcraft4223]

My favorite band!

[@rupertx_x1613]

Are there 3 less appealing words than Three Dog Night? Three Dog Night listography makes it a lot better though.

[@ChazeGeyer]

Somewhat unfair, the Lead singer Hutton possessed a voice any lead singer would value. What they gave was definitely better than a lot of radio play of that time

[@kevtruth]

I'm gonna go study up on their songs. I already have some in mind, but I know I'm forgetting a few gems

[@TheGenreman]

A Savoy Brown Listography would be interesting, a load of albums and almost a different band on every album.

[@sylvestermatera2719]

As someone who grew up in the 70's let us put all of this in proper perspective. Three Dog Night was a Pop Rock band who dominated Am radio but was never considered album artists. Their singles went platinum( millions), their albums went gold (over 500,000.) They made no pretense to compete with the serious FM rock acts of the day. They were AM Radio artists--not FM. And they never pretended to be more than that. They had good taste in the artists they covered--give them that--i.e. Nilsson, Nyro, Newman...etc...They made those artists rich before they became rich on their own (Nyro had help from others as well) with their covers. Give them that. I know that you pass judgement on them (as well as Billy Joel) based on looking back decades later and through cheesy KZbin videos. But at the time their singles were well respected but not taken too seriously. They were ear candy and not much more. Growing up I bought all their hit singles but never their albums. For albums I bought Zeppelin, Sabbath, Deep Purple, Yes, Tull, Genesis, etc....To compare Three Dog Night album-wise with the other acts you usually list is a little unfair. In summary Three Dog Night were a good AM artist and that is still good enough for me. By the way Physical Graffiti is my all time favorite album but the Cowsills "The Rain, the Park, and the Things " is still one of my all time favorite songs. AM and FM artists can forever co-exist. Leave Three Dog Night alone and I will leave Rush alone--ok Joe and Kraz?

[@billkeon880]

It helps if you were there. I was 11 hearing Liar in the summer, 12 hearing Joy to the World and Shambala, and 14 hearing Sure as I’m Sitting Here and Show Must Go On. It’s stands up to the best AM radio songs

[@TastesLikeMusic]

I wasn’t there and I still think it’s obvious. -Jason

[@billkeon880]

@@TastesLikeMusic i guess you didn't 'have' to be there, but it helps.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

So you think every single person of the time likes three dog night? - kram

[@billkeon880]

@@TastesLikeMusic not every single person, but they sold a ton of 45 RPM records and tons of people knew them and would hum their songs when they were played on the radio even if they didn't buy them. To give you a sickningly sweet example, I sat at my friends place drinking around the fire pit in '73 with an acoustic guitar with a big group of people singing Joy to the World at the top of our lungs. These songs like Joy to the World were also covered by other performers on weekly, highly rated variety shows like Tony Orlando's show, Carol Burrnett, Flip Wilson's show etc. They were pretty mega, though considered as a singles band for sure.

[@threestringsomg]

Oh surprised Suitable For Framing didn't get much love from You Jason......maybe I kept my eye on the lovely piano work throughout that record too much ...which for me gave it the edge over the others slightly in terms of binding the album....

[@Ianmackable]

I lived through the Three Dog Night era. They were never considered an albums band. Some great singles, some pretty good singles, and beyond that...well...

[@nightowl1851]

I have never liked Joy to the World, but I think I've been in blissful ignorance over them for ages because I didn't know they did so many covers.

[@SomeSong2]

Go to any mom and pop record store in the Midwest. The used section is always stocked to the brim with Three Dog Night and Grand Funk albums that people keep dumping off each month. One of the recurring funny stories is when these boomers will come in and actually try to squeeze a few more bucks out of the store owner i.e. "no I want Rush, Zappa, etc. for these, you can have them," and he has to turn away their water damaged copies of the same three albums by Three Dog Night everyone and their mother tries to bring in.

[@mainzergirl9610]

BTW, Jason is right, TDN's version of Mama told Me Not to Come is far superior. Out in the Country is a great song.

[@davidnelson6874]

I’ve tried to listen to Coming Down Your Way but found the vocals generally overwrought. That said, I do like the Dave Loggins cover. I owned both Cyan and Hard Labor as a kid. I quite liked Hard Labor back then, having only heard the Leo Sayer original at the time. But I can still enjoy Sure As I’m Sitting Here, Brickyard Blues, and Sitting Here In Limbo. I still love Into My Life and Let Me Serenade You off of Cyan. I see Triple Canine Eve as essentially a singles band. As such they stack up okay. None of the hit covers totally bothers me, with the possible exception of Celebrate. The one criticism I have of their albums is vocal restraint is often painfully needed. At times the vocals can pulverize the integrity of otherwise well played and possibly well intentioned songs. One of my brothers saw The Dog a few times a couple of years ago. He says that despite only Danny Hutton remaining of the lead vocalists that he loved all the performances. He also said it was his favorite act he’d seen that year and he sees a lot of shows from the likes Al Stewart ranging all the way to Soundgarden.