On This Day in 1971: Three Dog Night Releases Hit Rendition of Russ Ballard-Penned Song, Climbing to Billboard’s Top Ten
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Three Dog Night’s Version Takes Off
In 1970, British rock band Argent introduced the song “Liar,” written by their guitarist Russ Ballard. The tune appeared on their self‑titled debut album and was released as a single, though it failed to chart. Despite that, the track caught attention among musicians and produced one of the most memorable covers in rock history.
On July 10, 1971, Dunhill Records released Three Dog Night’s cover of “Liar.” Lead vocals were delivered by Danny Hutton, with Richard Podolor producing the track. The song hit the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at No. 7 in the U.S. and reaching No. 4 in Canada. It became the band’s sixth Top Ten hit, marking a strong follow‑up to “Joy to the World” and adding to their record-breaking streak in 1971.
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Why the Cover Worked
Three Dog Night had a reputation for picking lesser‑known songs and turning them into major hits. Their version of “Liar” was no exception. They gave it a punchier rock feel, layered harmonies, and a dramatic vocal hook. Fans and critics praised the song’s energy and unusual structure—especially the echo effect on “Ain’t that what you said? Ain’t that what you said? Liar!”
Legacy of “Liar”
The song remains one of the band’s standout performances and is a favorite on classic rock radio. Although Russ Ballard’s own version did not chart, his work became known through this cover. Ballard later wrote hits for other artists too, like “Since You Been Gone” for Rainbow and “You Can Do Magic” for America.
With “Liar” reaching No. 7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 in Canada, Three Dog Night extended their success streak to six Top Ten hits. The song became a consistent part of their live shows and is often featured in their greatest-hits collections, proving the power of a well‑crafted cover done right.
