An Old Fashioned Love Song - Three Dog Night (1971) 12/1/21

Sometimes in the music business, some pretty smart people make some pretty big mistakes. Several times in the past, I've mentioned that Richard Carpenter had an "ear" for "Great Songs," and he did.

For example, he was a friend and fan of songwriter Paul Williams, and was quick to record two of Paul's "Great Songs" and turn them into hits: "We've Only Just Begun" and "Rainy Days and Mondays."

So when Paul offered up a third song--which he wrote SPECIFICALLY for the Carpenters, he was shocked when Richard turned him down flat! Apparently, Richard didn't think it was a good fit for Karen's voice. He might have been right--but still...

Anyway, when the shock wore off, Paul offered "An Old Fashioned Love Song" to Three Dog Night, and with Chuck Negron singing lead, it became one of the group's biggest hits, and a "Great Song of the '70s!"

The song topped Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, and reached #4 on the Hot 100. It was also a Top 10 hit in Canada and New Zealand.

Later on, it was covered by Paul himself, as well by Ray Conniff, The Sandpipers, The New Seekers and Andy Williams--but never by the Carpenters. Hmmm.

"An Old fashioned Love Song:" The Carpenters' loss was Three Dog Night's gain and a "Great Song of 1971!"