Joy to the World (1971) 5/23/20

It was 2 to 1 against...but somehow, it became a “Great Song of the '70s!”

In 1970, Singer/Songwriter Hoyt Axton was trying desperately to get someone to record his latest composition. The lyrics started out like this: “Jeremiah was a prophet...was a good friend of mind...”

Not a single producer or group he pitched it to liked it, so Hoyt started messing with the lyrics. “Prophet” became “Bullfrog,” and the rest of the song became just as silly—at least in the opinion of Danny Hutton and Cory Wells, two of the three lead singers of Three Dog Night.

But Chuck Negron, the group's third lead singer, thought it was just the kind of silliness they needed for their next album (entitled “Naturally”)...and somehow convinced the other two to record it.

He was onto something...

Released as a single in February of 1971, “Joy to the World” went straight to #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, where it stayed for 6 weeks. It also spent time at #1 in Canada and South Africa.Overall, it sold five million copies, and was Billboard's #1 Pop song of the year. It was also nominated for a Grammy.

The song was featured prominently in the film “The Big Chill,” and the NFL's Denver Broncos still play it after every home field victory.Even after all that, Danny, Cory, and Chuck still thought it was a silly song—but it made them so rich, they stopped complaining. :-)

TRIVIA: Hoyt Axton and his mother Mae became the first mother and son to each write a #1 song during the rock era. Mae wrote “Heartbreak Hotel” for Elvis Presley in 1956.

From 1971, here's a little joy for all you little girls and boys: