About The Song
“Shambala” is a song written by Daniel Moore, originally recorded by B.W. Stevenson in 1973, and covered by Three Dog Night, released on May 21, 1973, as the first single from their eighth studio album Cyan on Dunhill Records. The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart, marking another hit in the band’s early 1970s success run. It followed their No. 1 hit “Joy to the World” and showcased their ability to adapt folk-rock influences into a mainstream sound.
The recording took place in Los Angeles, produced by Richard Podolor, with a bright 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 distinctive horn section adding to the song’s uplifting tone. The track runs 3:24 on the album, with the single version maintaining the same length for radio play. Cyan, released in June 1973, peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, reflecting a slight decline from their earlier chart dominance.
The lyrics evoke a mystical, peaceful place called Shambala, with lines like “Wash the sleep out of your eyes / The world awaits with a smile,” suggesting a journey toward harmony. Moore drew inspiration from Tibetan Buddhist mythology, where Shambala is a hidden kingdom, though the song’s message was kept accessible. Moore stated in a 1973 interview, “I wanted it to feel like a universal call to peace, something everyone could sing along to,” which Three Dog Night amplified with their energetic arrangement.
The music video, though not officially released in 1973, 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 folk tunes into radio hits. The song was a staple in their 1973-1974 tour setlist.
The track was released in multiple formats, including 7-inch vinyl, with B-sides like “Our ‘B’ Side.” 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 lively, communal feel, aligning with the song’s optimistic theme during a turbulent social period.
Video
Lyric
Wash the sleep out of your eyes
The world awaits with a smile
And everyone’s happy to see you wake up
For the first timeShambala, Shambala
Wash the world away
Shambala, Shambala
We’re on our wayEveryone’s laughing
The sun comes up
The birds are calling out your name
Take my hand and we’ll go walking
Where the lights are shiningShambala, Shambala
Wash the world away
Shambala, Shambala
We’re on our wayI can tell my sister by her way she moves
I can read my brother by the way he grooves
I can love my neighbor like my lady and me
It’s all part of the cosmic sceneShambala, Shambala
Wash the world away
Shambala, Shambala
We’re on our wayOh, yeah
Shambala, Shambala
Wash the world away
Shambala, Shambala
We’re on our way