On This Day in 1971: Three Dog Night’s Single Hits #1 on US Charts, Stays Six Weeks, and Becomes Best-Selling Song of the Year
via davidhertzberg1 / YouTube
A Surprising Hit
On April 17, 1971, Three Dog Night’s song “Joy to the World” reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It stayed there for six weeks, becoming the best-selling single in the United States that year. The song also reached number one in Canada and South Africa, and peaked at number eight in Australia and number 24 in the UK.
The song was written by Hoyt Axton, a country-folk artist from Oklahoma. He originally created the melody for a TV special called “The Happy Song,” which was never produced. When he played the tune for his producers, they asked him to add lyrics. He came up with playful, nonsensical words, including the famous line, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog.”
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From Album Filler to Chart-Topper
Three Dog Night added “Joy to the World” to their album “Naturally” in 1970. At first, two of the band’s vocalists, Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, didn’t want to record the song. However, Chuck Negron believed the band needed a lighthearted track to bring them together. He later said the song “wasn’t even close to our best record, but it might have been one of our most honest.”
The song was recorded with all seven band members singing, which was different from their usual three-part harmonies. Drummer Floyd Sneed contributed the deep voice saying, “I wanna tell you,” near the end of the song.
A Family Achievement
When “Joy to the World” became a number one hit, Hoyt Axton and his mother, Mae Axton, made history. Mae had co-written Elvis Presley’s first number one hit, “Heartbreak Hotel.” They became the first mother and son to each write a number one pop single in the rock era.
The song’s success was unexpected. It was initially included on the album to fill space, but it quickly gained popularity. The single was certified gold by the RIAA just weeks after its release, indicating over one million units shipped in the U.S. It also won the Best Selling Hit Single Record award from the National Association of Recording Merchandisers in March 1972.
Lasting Impact
“Joy to the World” received two Grammy nominations in 1972: Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group, or Chorus. The song sold over five million copies worldwide. Its catchy tune and cheerful lyrics have kept it popular for decades. It has been featured in movies like “Forrest Gump” and “The Big Chill,” and in TV shows such as “Friends” and “The X-Files.”
Hoyt Axton continued his career as a singer, songwriter, and actor until his death in 1999. His work, including “Joy to the World,” remains influential in music history.
