Three Dog Night Bring The Crowd To Its Feet With “Joy To The World, And It’s Pure Joy

Soundstage, 1975

If you thought this song was silly, it’s okay – Three Dog Night does, too. However, you can’t deny the feel-good, genuine joy that comes with their 1971 song ‘Joy To The World’; from the moment Chuck Negron’s voice tears into existence with the iconic “Jeremiah was a bullfrog/was a good friend of mine,” you’re in for the kind of good time you’re afraid to admit that as an adult, you’re still capable of having. This exclusive footage features Three Dog Night performing ‘Joy To The World’ on Soundstage in 1975, and this blast from the past is a guaranteed good time; singer Chuck Negron’s voice is quite literally the best it’s ever been, and that’s the kind of performance you give when you’re clearly having a great time.

Fun Fact: ‘Joy To The World’ was written for Three Dog Night by friend and folk singer-songwriter, Hoyt Axton.

His bandmates Danny Hutton and Cory Wells provide the backing harmonies, sure, but it’s the fact that they’re engaged with each other and with their audience that it’s nearly impossible to even think about not joining in on the fun. By the middle of ‘Joy To The World,’ Three Dog Night’s entire audience is on its feet, clapping and singing along and for a moment it’s difficult to tell who’s having the better time – the people who paid to see the band, or the actual band itself!

+ Joy To The World lyrics +

Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine

Singin’ joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

If I were the king of the world
Tell you what I’d do
I’d throw away the cars and the bars and the war
Make sweet love to you

Sing it now, joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I’m a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shootin’ son-of-a-gun
I said a straight shootin’ son-of-a-gun

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the world
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls…