Some fabulous songs on this list Steve! The only one off the top of my head that I’d add would be The Cure’s Three Imaginary Boys from their debut album. I have a real soft spot for that album which was probably the eighth of theirs I purchased. I bought a near mint first pressing in a record store in Toronto in the summer of 1988. It’s the biggest regret I have about letting my vinyl collection go when I moved out of my parents’ house in my early 20s.
Nice list! The ones that came to mind for me were "Three Lock Box" by Sammy Hagar and the powerful "Birth of the Three" by Orphaned Land. And I suppose "We Three Kings"...
Ooh, great picks! I don't know Orphaned land, so I'll check that one out. I was surprised that Three Lock Box didn't appear in my Spotify and iTunes searches and then realized I don't have that Sammy album. I thought I did. That and Standing Hampton are a great 1-2 punch. I've written about "There's Only One Way To Rock" before on these pages. Maybe it's time to bring it back!
Thanks for introducing me to Massive Attack/Nicolette and James. Loved the kids doing King Crimson, and great to revisit Tony Orlando and Dawn (I hear ya on your dad!) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (that song always cracks me up). Great list!
Thanks, Ellen! Happy to turn you on to Massive Attack and James. James is one of those bands that has been consistently successful in the UK but not so much in the U.S.
Great list. Totally forgot about that Green Jelly song, what a trip. Also- Beasties! I feel like Gen Z is going to get into them soon. This sent me on youtube video hole- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJYfOGb3sKw I think I saw this tour with them and Tribe Called Quest. So great. But I don't remember the Tom Sawyer Mix Master Mike intro!
Great picks (a few I don't remember so I have to go check them out). Someone else already mentioned Meat Loaf, so I'll just second that. Especially given that you didn't boot "Three Times a Lady" for cheesiness! And I think Three Dog Night should get an honorable mention.
Thanks, Charles. If I was including bands I would for sure have 3 Dog Night. Unless they have a song by the same name? I inherited several 3DN albums from my aunt when I moved her into assisted living several years ago. And many other albums too. I would have thought that you would have chosen Tony Orlando and Dawn as the cheesiest. It’s a close call.
Well, TO and D ARE the cheesiest, but Three Times a Lady is a special kind of cringe. I still have all my old vinyl, but some of them warped when they were in storage one summer long ago. So I can only admire the cover art.
My mind immediately started singing “3 is the Magic Number,” by De La Soul (originally school house rock) but sadly, the title does NOT include the number 3!
Yeah that one uses the “number” 3 not the word. I almost included it anyway but I had a Schoolhouse Rock song in my Zero playlist so left it out. Amazing cover though!
Ha - I had the Meatloaf song in my “2” playlist last month. I should have put it on both! I’m not sure if I know the Carly Simon song or not. I’ll check it out. Thanks Dan!
Also such a good list 🤘🏻 (I had to circle back this to this one that I missed to make sure you included “Number Three.”
Three Hours by Nick Drake off his first album Five Leaves Left, one of his longest songs. A classic.
Some fabulous songs on this list Steve! The only one off the top of my head that I’d add would be The Cure’s Three Imaginary Boys from their debut album. I have a real soft spot for that album which was probably the eighth of theirs I purchased. I bought a near mint first pressing in a record store in Toronto in the summer of 1988. It’s the biggest regret I have about letting my vinyl collection go when I moved out of my parents’ house in my early 20s.
Nice list! The ones that came to mind for me were "Three Lock Box" by Sammy Hagar and the powerful "Birth of the Three" by Orphaned Land. And I suppose "We Three Kings"...
Ooh, great picks! I don't know Orphaned land, so I'll check that one out. I was surprised that Three Lock Box didn't appear in my Spotify and iTunes searches and then realized I don't have that Sammy album. I thought I did. That and Standing Hampton are a great 1-2 punch. I've written about "There's Only One Way To Rock" before on these pages. Maybe it's time to bring it back!
Love that Lionel Richie made it to this list!
Did I miss “3 Is A Green Crown” by The Incredible String Band?
Nope, but I’ll put them on the bonus track playlist for sure! Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks for introducing me to Massive Attack/Nicolette and James. Loved the kids doing King Crimson, and great to revisit Tony Orlando and Dawn (I hear ya on your dad!) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (that song always cracks me up). Great list!
Thanks, Ellen! Happy to turn you on to Massive Attack and James. James is one of those bands that has been consistently successful in the UK but not so much in the U.S.
Robert Fripp and the mighty King Crimson. Been a fan since "Court of the Crimson King" was released in 1969. Still touring, I understand.
Not touring with Fripp. He’s only playing with his wife Toyah for now. The new band is called Beat, the one I mentioned in the article.
Great list. Totally forgot about that Green Jelly song, what a trip. Also- Beasties! I feel like Gen Z is going to get into them soon. This sent me on youtube video hole- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJYfOGb3sKw I think I saw this tour with them and Tribe Called Quest. So great. But I don't remember the Tom Sawyer Mix Master Mike intro!
Here's a couple additions:
Magnetic Fields "Three-way" https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=U8O0hFNet-g&si=_Qy_v6Mi4dMy3d03
New Pornagraphers "Three or Four" https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=R4rypLVdWF0&si=KTi8YU_f6ADhQoxs
You mean Gen Z wasn’t already into The Beasties?
I remember Green Jelly back when they were called Green Jello, before they got sued by the jello mafia.
I have no idea actually, but I feel like I only see yungins wearing nirvana shirts.
Great picks (a few I don't remember so I have to go check them out). Someone else already mentioned Meat Loaf, so I'll just second that. Especially given that you didn't boot "Three Times a Lady" for cheesiness! And I think Three Dog Night should get an honorable mention.
Thanks, Charles. If I was including bands I would for sure have 3 Dog Night. Unless they have a song by the same name? I inherited several 3DN albums from my aunt when I moved her into assisted living several years ago. And many other albums too. I would have thought that you would have chosen Tony Orlando and Dawn as the cheesiest. It’s a close call.
Well, TO and D ARE the cheesiest, but Three Times a Lady is a special kind of cringe. I still have all my old vinyl, but some of them warped when they were in storage one summer long ago. So I can only admire the cover art.
'Three Days' by Jane's Addiction is one I like a lot.
Love this one too. It was in my longer 20 song playlist but got cut whittling to 13. It’s in the bonus track playlist coming soon …
Nice! Looking forward to hearing it.
My mind immediately started singing “3 is the Magic Number,” by De La Soul (originally school house rock) but sadly, the title does NOT include the number 3!
Yeah that one uses the “number” 3 not the word. I almost included it anyway but I had a Schoolhouse Rock song in my Zero playlist so left it out. Amazing cover though!
Two out of Three Ain't Bad - Meat Loaf
3 AM - Matchbox 20
The Three of Us in the Dark - Carly Simon (incredible and haunting tune!)
Ha - I had the Meatloaf song in my “2” playlist last month. I should have put it on both! I’m not sure if I know the Carly Simon song or not. I’ll check it out. Thanks Dan!