About The Song
“Family of Man” is a song written by Paul Williams and Jack Conrad, recorded by Three Dog Night, and released on April 15, 1972, as the second single from their seventh studio album Seven Separate Fools on Dunhill Records. The song peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, following the success of their No. 1 hit “Black and White” from the same album. It showcased the band’s ability to blend pop-rock with socially conscious themes.
The recording took place in Los Angeles, produced by Richard Podolor, with an uplifting pop-rock arrangement featuring Cory Wells 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 and choir adding to the song’s anthemic feel. The track runs 3:27 on the album, with the single version matching this length for radio play. Seven Separate Fools, released in April 1972, reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200, marking one of the band’s strongest chart performances.
The lyrics celebrate human unity and resilience, with lines like “We are the children of the land / We are the family of man.” Williams intended the song as a hopeful message during a time of social division, and he noted in a 1972 interview, “I wanted it to feel like a universal embrace, something that could bring people together.” Three Dog Night’s arrangement amplified this sentiment with its energetic delivery, making it a radio staple during the early 1970s.
The music video, though not officially released in 1972, 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 knack for turning thoughtful lyrics into accessible hits. The song was a key part of their 1972-1973 tour setlist.
The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “Going in Circles.” It was performed live with a 14-piece band during the early 1970s 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 live, communal energy, aligning with the song’s theme of global unity during a period of cultural change.
Video
Lyric
We are the children of the land
We are the family of man
And we got to hold on to what we gotWe are the keepers of the flame
We are the answer to the shame
And we got to hold on to what we gotOh, we’re a family of man
Oh, we’re a family of manWe got to keep on giving
We got to keep on living
With every little bit of soul insideWe are the singers of the song
We are the dreamers of the dawn
And we got to hold on to what we gotOh, we’re a family of man
Oh, we’re a family of manWe got to keep on giving
We got to keep on living
With every little bit of soul insideWe are the children of the land
We are the family of man
And we got to hold on to what we gotOh, we’re a family of man
Oh, we’re a family of man