Joy to the World

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night from their 1970 album Naturally, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This iconic song, written by Hoyt Axton, almost didn’t make it to the airwaves. According to Chuck Negron in the liner notes for Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975, bandmates Danny Hutton and Cory Wells initially rejected the song, but Negron pushed for it, calling it a “silly song” needed to unify the band. He noted the recording was filled with laughter and goofing around, which gave it an authentic, joyful vibe that resonated with fans. The song’s opening line, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog,” was a whimsical placeholder Axton used to pitch the melody, originally intended for an animated TV special called The Happy Song that never materialized. Axton later shared in interviews that the line came to him after a sip of wine, and he never expected it to stick!

Another fun tidbit comes from Seattle DJ Larry Bergman, who shared with Songfacts that he was the first to play “Joy to the World” on the radio at KISW-FM. The song was a deep cut from Naturally, overshadowed by the single “One Man Band,” but Bergman’s decision to spin it sparked its journey to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for six weeks in 1971. The song’s infectious energy even caught the attention of pop culture, appearing in films like The Big Chill and Forrest Gump, and inspiring a blue frog named Jeremiah in the video game Animal Crossing. Interestingly, some fans on Songfacts have speculated that “Jeremiah” could refer to the biblical prophet or even a nod to French Canadian “bullfrogs” in Louisiana, though Axton’s wine-fueled creativity seems the true origin.

Three Dog Night got their start in 1967 in Los Angeles, born from the vision of Danny Hutton, a singer with a background in voice-overs for Disney and a modest hit with “Roses and Rainbows” on Hanna-Barbera Records. Hutton, inspired by the idea of a three-vocalist rock band with soulful undertones, recruited Cory Wells, a Buffalo native who sang with the house band at the Whiskey a Go Go, and Chuck Negron, a Bronx-born vocalist who’d performed at the Apollo by age 14. The trio was soon joined by Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards), Joe Schermie (bass), Michael Allsup (guitar), and Floyd Sneed (drums). Their name, suggested by Hutton’s then-girlfriend June Fairchild, came from an Australian term for a freezing night requiring three dogs for warmth, as noted in Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story. They debuted at the Whiskey a Go Go in 1968, signed with Dunhill Records, and quickly became a live sensation, known for covering songs by emerging writers like Harry Nilsson and Randy Newman.

The band’s knack for reinterpreting songs made them one of the most successful acts of the late ’60s and early ’70s, with 21 Billboard Top 40 hits, including three #1s: “Joy to the World,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come,” and “Black and White.” Their first album, Three Dog Night, featured the hit “One,” which Negron championed, cementing their reputation. Despite critical snubs, as noted by Bud Scoppa in Rolling Stone in 1971, their massive popularity—selling 40 million albums—proved their appeal. The band faced challenges, including Negron’s heroin addiction and Hutton’s temporary dismissal, but reformed in 1981 and continues to tour with Hutton as the constant member.

Stay connected with Three Dog Night through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for updates on tours and new music, like their upcoming album The Road Ahead. Fans can also join the Three Dog Night Fans Facebook group to share stories and connect with fellow Zoo Freaks. For more band history, check out fan sites like threedognight.com, which includes their discography and tour dates. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew!