About The Song
“Never Been to Spain” is a song written by Hoyt Axton, originally recorded by him in 1971 on his album Joy to the World. Three Dog Night covered the song, releasing it on December 11, 1971, as the second single from their sixth studio album Harmony on Dunhill Records. The song peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 18 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, contributing to the band’s string of hits in the early 1970s. It followed their No. 1 hit “Joy to the World,” also written by Axton.
The recording took place in Los Angeles, produced by Richard Podolor, with a rock arrangement featuring Cory Wells on lead vocals, supported by the band’s tight harmonies. The session included musicians like Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards and Michael Allsup on guitar, creating a laid-back yet energetic tone with a prominent piano riff. The track runs 3:46 on the album, with the single version slightly edited. Harmony, released in November 1971, reached No. 8 on the Billboard 200, reinforcing Three Dog Night’s commercial peak.
The lyrics reflect a sense of wanderlust and reflection, with lines like “Well I’ve never been to heaven / But I’ve been to Oklahoma,” blending humor with a philosophical outlook. Axton’s original version included a verse about Spain, inspired by his travels, but Three Dog Night adapted it to emphasize a broader, universal journey. Axton commented in a 1971 interview, “I wrote it as a traveler’s tale, and they turned it into a anthem of the road,” highlighting the band’s reinterpretation.
The music video, though not officially released in 1971, 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 showcased their ability to infuse personal style into Axton’s composition. The song’s success led to its inclusion in their 1972-1973 tour setlist.
The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “Peace of Mind.” 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, spontaneous feel, reflecting the era’s rock aesthetic.
Video
Lyric
Well I’ve never been to heaven
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?Well I’ve never been to Spain
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
And I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?Well I’ve never been to heaven
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?Hey, I’ve been to Nebraska
And I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?Well I’ve never been to Spain
But I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
And I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?Hey, I’ve been laid so low
And I’ve been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don’t remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter, what does it matter?