Three Dog Night – One (1969)

About the song

“One,” a song performed by Three Dog Night, holds a special place in the annals of rock history. Released as the second single from their debut album, “One” marked the beginning of the band’s rise to fame and success. Featuring Chuck Negron on lead vocals, the song became the first of seven gold records that Three Dog Night would earn over the next five years, solidifying their place as one of the most popular bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The song “One” is often remembered for its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, which resonated with audiences of the time. The single version of the song, originally released by ABC Records, had a slightly shorter fade-out than the album version, cutting off about ten seconds before the final notes. However, in later reissues, the label chose to revert to the full album version, which is the version most commonly heard on the radio today.

“One” achieved significant commercial success, reaching number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also spent three weeks at number two on the Cash Box Top 100, showcasing its widespread appeal and popularity. In Canada, the song also performed well, peaking at number four on the charts.

What makes “One” particularly interesting is its impact as the lead single that helped launch Three Dog Night into stardom. The band’s ability to blend rock, pop, and soul elements into a cohesive and memorable sound was evident in this track. Chuck Negron’s vocal performance, with its emotive delivery and raw power, was a standout feature that helped the song resonate with a broad audience.

“One” is also notable for its lyrical content, which delves into themes of loneliness and isolation. The song’s opening line, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do,” became an iconic phrase, capturing the essence of solitude in a way that was both simple and profound. This theme of loneliness struck a chord with listeners, contributing to the song’s enduring popularity.

In summary, “One” by Three Dog Night is more than just a hit single; it is a significant piece of musical history that helped establish the band as a major force in the rock world. The song’s commercial success, combined with its emotional depth and memorable melody, ensures that it remains a beloved classic to this day. For older audiences, “One” is a reminder of a time when music could capture the complexities of human emotion with a simple yet powerful melody.

Video

Lyrics

One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do
Two can be as bad as one
It’s the loneliest number since the number one

No is the saddest experience you’ll ever know
Yes, it’s the saddest experience you’ll ever know

‘Cause one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do
One is the loneliest number, whoa-oh, worse than two

It’s just no good anymore since you went away
Now I spend my time just making rhymes of yesterday

One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do

It’s just no good anymore since you went away (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest (number)
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do (number)
One (one is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do)(number)
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do (number)
One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do