About The Song
“Celebrate” is a song written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon, recorded by Three Dog Night, and released on February 17, 1969, as the second single from their self-titled debut album Three Dog Night on Dunhill Records. The song peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, marking an early success for the band and establishing their knack for turning upbeat pop-rock into chart hits. It followed their debut single “Nobody,” which reached No. 5.
The recording took place in Los Angeles, produced by Gabriel Mekler, with a lively pop-rock arrangement featuring Chuck Negron on lead vocals and the band’s signature harmonies. The session included musicians like Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards and Michael Allsup on guitar, with a horn section adding to the song’s celebratory vibe. The track runs 3:18 on the album, with the single version matching this length for radio play. Three Dog Night, released in 1969, peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200, launching the band into the mainstream.
The lyrics encourage joy and unity, with lines like “Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music.” Bonner and Gordon wrote the song with an infectious, feel-good spirit, inspired by the late 1960s counterculture movement. Gordon later noted in a 1969 interview, “We wanted it to be a party anthem, something that could lift spirits in a divided time,” a sentiment Three Dog Night amplified with their energetic performance. The song’s optimistic tone resonated with audiences during a period of social change.
The music video, though not officially released in 1969, features live performance footage from that era, later included in compilations like Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975. Three Dog Night, formed in 1967 by vocalists Chuck Negron, Cory Wells, and Danny Hutton, was known for covering songs by diverse writers, and this track highlighted their ability to deliver feel-good anthems. The song was a key part of their 1969-1970 tour setlist.
The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “It’s for You.” It was performed live with a 14-piece band during the early tours and appeared on various compilations, including The Best of Three Dog Night (1982). The production involved minimal overdubs, with the band aiming to capture a spontaneous, party-like energy, aligning with the song’s theme of celebration during a turbulent era.
Video
Lyric
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the musicCome on and celebrate, every boy and every girl
Raise your hands and stomp your feet
’Cause we’re together in this worldCelebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the musicWe’re gonna party all night long
Singin’ every happy song
Clap your hands and join the fun
’Cause the good times have begunCelebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the musicCome on now, let’s all unite
Underneath the starry night
Feel the rhythm, feel the beat
Move your body, move your feetCelebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the musicOh, yeah, let’s celebrate
Oh, yeah, let’s celebrate