Always amazing the stuff you see on youtube. We chose this youtube for this particular song because the visuals are amusing. There is another youtube of “Never Been to Spain” that says ‘Hoyt Axton cover’ and someone says in the comments “Great cover of Three Dog Night song.”

Three Dog Night did have the biggest hit with “Never Been to Spain” and “Joy to the World,” (Jeremiah was a bullfrog) but both songs were written and recorded by Hoyt Axton.

In the case of “Joy to the World,” Three Dog Night recorded it first in 1970 and Hoyt released it a year later. “Never Been to Spain” was recorded by Hoyt in 1971 in June and Three Dog Night recorded it in October of the same year. It was also covered by Cher, Elvis Presley, Ike and Tina Turner and Waylon Jennings.

Cory Wells of Three Dog Night was born in Buffalo, NY. Danny Hutton was born in Buncrana, County Donegal, Ireland, and Chuck Negron was born in Manhattan.

Hoyt Axton really was born in Oklahoma. Here are the lyrics:

Well I never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
They don’t abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can’t refuse it

Well I never been to England
But I kinda like the Beatles
Well, I headed for Las Vegas
Only made it out to Needles
Can you feel it
It must be real it
Feels so good
Oh, feels so good

Well I never been to heaven
But I 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 never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it
They don’t abuse it
Never gonna lose it
I can’t refuse it

Well I never been to heaven
But I 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

I find it a little annoying that Three Dog Night put the lyrics up without crediting Hoyt even if they did have the biggest hit with it. That’s not only fikkle, it’s lame.