About The Song
“Chest Fever” is a song originally written by Robbie Robertson and first recorded by The Band for their 1968 debut album Music from Big Pink, released on July 1, 1968. Known for its powerful organ introduction by Garth Hudson and its mysterious, improvisational lyrics, the song became one of the standout tracks associated with the early identity of The Band. Although it was not initially released as a single by The Band, it still gained significant recognition through album play and live performances.
American rock group Three Dog Night later recorded their own version of the song in 1968. Their recording was included on their self-titled debut album Three Dog Night, which was released on October 16, 1968 through Dunhill Records. This album helped introduce the band to a wider rock audience and marked the beginning of their successful recording career. The track appeared as part of the album’s song lineup alongside other covers from contemporary artists.
Three Dog Night’s version of “Chest Fever” was also used as the B-side to their single “One,” which was released in 1969. While “One” became a major hit and reached the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, “Chest Fever” did not chart separately as a B-side. However, its inclusion with such a successful single meant that the song still received exposure through radio play and record sales associated with the hit release.
The debut album Three Dog Night performed strongly on the U.S. charts, helping establish the band as one of the emerging rock acts of the late 1960s. The album reached the Billboard 200 chart and contributed to building the group’s reputation for delivering powerful vocal harmonies and energetic rock arrangements. Their approach to selecting and reinterpreting songs written by other artists became a defining feature of their career.
Musically, Three Dog Night’s rendition follows the structure of The Band’s original composition but presents it in a slightly more condensed and radio-friendly way compared to the longer, improvisational feel of the first recording. The Band’s original version was especially known for its extended organ passages, while Three Dog Night’s arrangement focuses more directly on the core song performance, reflecting their stylistic direction at the time.
Lyrically, the song is known for its abstract and fragmented storytelling, which has often been noted as partly improvised during its creation. The imagery in the lyrics suggests emotional tension, confusion, and dramatic feeling, although it avoids presenting a straightforward narrative. Three Dog Night maintained the lyrical content of the original, but their performance gives it a slightly different musical character.
Although “Chest Fever” was not one of Three Dog Night’s major chart hits, it remains a notable entry in their early catalog. It represents a moment when the band was still defining its musical identity while already demonstrating the strong vocal blend and performance style that would help them achieve significant success in the years that followed. The recording also shows how influential The Band’s material was among other rock artists of the late 1960s.
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Lyric
Well I know she’s a tracker,
Any scarlet would back her
And they say she’s a chooser,
But I just can’t refuse her
She was just there, but then
She can’t be there no more
And as my mind unweaves,
I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives.
She’s been down in the dunes
And she’s dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from the bitter cup,
I’m trying to get her to give it up
She was just here,
I fear she can’t be there no more
And as my mind unweaves,
I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives
It’s long, long when she’s gone,
I get weary holding on
Now I’m coldly fading fast,
I don’t think I’m gonna last
Very much longer.
“Well she’s stoned” said the Swede,
And the moon calf agreed
I’m like a viper in shock
With my eyes in the clock
She was just there somewhere
And here I am again
And as my mind unweaves,
I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives