Three Dog Night scored a succession of 21 hit singles, including eleven Top Tens, and twelve consecutive gold albums from 1969 to 1975, thanks to the slick, sometimes soulful vocal harmonies of singers Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells and an excellent ear for quality material.

Three Dog Night was often criticized as commercial, however Three Dog Night was noted for its creative arrangements and interpretations. Their cover choices gave exposure (and royalties) to several talented songwriters: Nilsson ("One"), Laura Nyro ("Eli's Coming"), Randy Newman ("Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"), Hoyt Axton ("Joy to the World"), Argent's Russ Ballard ("Liar"), and Leo Sayer ("The Show Must Go On").

Three Dog Night's Wells and Hutton met in the '60s while the former was the lead singer of the Enemies and the latter, a former cartoon voice who had recorded several flop singles, served as producer.

In 1967, Hutton conceived the idea of a three-vocalist group, and he and Wells enlisted mutual friend Negron. They took the name Three Dog Night from an Australian expression describing low nocturnal temperatures in the outback (the colder the night, the more dogs needed to keep warm while sleeping).

Three Dog Night cut a few unsuccessful singles and decided to expand their range by hiring backing musicians, who included guitarist Mike Allsup, keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon, bassist Joe Schermie, and drummer Floyd Sneed. "One" became Three Dog Night's first Top Ten hit in 1969, while "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" hit number one a year later.

"Joy to the World" became Three Dog Night's biggest hit in 1971, spending six weeks on top of the pop charts, and their streak continued with their final number one, 1972's "Black and White" (a U.K. reggae hit for Greyhound), and their final Top Ten, 1974's "The Show Must Go On."

By 1976, internal dissent arose in Three Dog Night, as the original concept of three equal singers had given way to Negron taking the leads on most of their songs. Dissatisfied, Hutton finally left Three Dog Night, and they officially disbanded a year later.

Three Dog Night enjoyed a brief reunion in the early '80s that led to a reforming of the group. As of 2006 Hutton and Wells continue to take out their version of Three Dog Night out on the oldies circuit.

Three Dog Night released a fantastically received DVD titled Live with the Tennessee Symphony Orchestra in 2002.

Three Dog Night released both the 35th Anniversary Hits Collection (live with the London Symphony Orchestra) and The Complete Hit Singles in 2004.