Joy to the World

Three Dog Night

About Joy to the World

"Joy to the World" is a song written by Hoyt Axton and made famous by the band Three Dog Night. The song is also popularly known by its opening lyric, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog." Three Dog Night originally released the song on their fourth studio album, Naturally, in November 1970, and subsequently released an edited version of the song as a single in February 1971. The song, which has been described by members of Three Dog Night as a "kid's song" and a "silly song," topped the singles charts in North America, was certified gold by the RIAA, and has since been covered by multiple artists. The song is featured prominently in the film The Big Chill. It is sung by a child character at the beginning and the Three Dog Night recording is played over the end credits. The song is also notable for having been heavily interpolated by Mariah Carey in her 1994 cover of the Christmas hymn "Joy to the World." It is also played at the end of every Denver Broncos home victory. Notable playings of this song after Broncos victories included then-Chicago Bears head coach Abe Gibron's singing along with the song in 1973; and at the end of Super Bowl XXXII, played at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. It was also played at the end of Super Bowl XXXIII at Pro Player (now Hard Rock) Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida and Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California. 


Year:
2005
59 

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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 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 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

I want to tell you
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 fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me

Joy to the world
All the boys and girls

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Three Dog Night

Three Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. This highly successful vocal-centric rock band formed in 1968 with a lineup consisting of Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron. The three lead singers were backed by Jimmy Greenspoon (organ), Joe Schermie (bass), Mike Allsup (guitar) and Floyd Sneed (drums). With their distinctive and sometimes extraordinary harmonic blend, the band registered an impressive 21 Billboard Top 40 hits (with three hitting number one) between 1969 and 1975. Their startling version of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s ‘'It’s For You’' typified the band at their best, but it was their original arrangements of the work of lesser-known writers that brought welcome exposure and considerable royal… more »

1 fan

Written by: Hoyt Wayne Axton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

History and Songwriters
"Joy to the World" is a song written by Hoyt Axton and made famous by the band Three Dog Night. Hoyt Axton was a popular folk singer and songwriter who also penned songs for artists like Joan Baez and Arlo Guthrie.
Release Year
The song was released in 1971 on the album titled "Naturally" by the band Three Dog Night, which was one of the most successful bands in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Music Genre
The genre of "Joy to the World" generally falls into rock, but it is also categorized as pop, reflecting the widespread popular appeal of Three Dog Night's music during their peak.
Billboard Ranking
The song was extremely successful and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks in 1971, making it the biggest hit of the year.
Familiar Opening Lines
The song is famously noted for its opening line, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog", which Axton has said began as a silly, inconsequential lyric he used while writing the song.
Use in Films and Shows
The song has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials over the years, such as "Forrest Gump", "The Big Chill" and "Criminal Minds".
Covers and Performances
Various artists have covered "Joy to the World", including country music singer Garth Brooks and American Idol contestant Casey Abrams.
Live Performance
Although Hoyt Axton wrote the song, Three Dog Night's version is the most popular. Their theatrical and high-energy live performances were a significant part of the band's appeal, and "Joy to the World" was a crowd favorite.
Success of "Joy to the World
The song has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Song Meaning
Despite its title, the song "Joy to the World" is not related to the popular Christmas hymn of the same name. The lyrics, which mention a bullfrog and a wine-drinking boy, are more whimsical than religious.

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    Joy to the World

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1971

    Billboard #1


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