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Never Been to Spain

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Wikipedia article




"'Never Been to Spain'" is a song written by Hoyt Axton, originally released on his 1971 LP 'Joy to the World' and later that year performed by Three Dog Night, with Cory Wells on lead vocal. It was featured on their 1971 album 'Harmony'.[http://www.discogs.com/Three-Dog-Night-Harmony/release/1364746 Three Dog Night, 'Harmony'] 'Discogs.com', Retrieved February 7, 2015 The recording was produced by Richard Podolor.[http://www.45cat.com/record/45d4299 Three Dog Night, "Never Been to Spain" single release] '45.cat.com', Retrieved February 7, 2015

Background



The lyrics consist of the narrator ruminating about overseas locales that he has never visited, but about which he feels he has some proxy experience, primarily via the music but also due to other presumed highlights found there. He loosely compares his own actual travels to these more worldly spots.

In the final verse, he observes that while he has "never been to heaven", he has "been to Oklahoma", where he was told he was born, thus implying a kinship between the two places. Hoyt Axton, who was born in Oklahoma, explained that he originally wrote, "...in Oklahoma, born in a coma...." However, it was considered inappropriate; thus, the lyrics were changed to "not Arizona".

Chart history



In the US, "Never Been to Spain" peaked at number 5 on the 'Billboard' chart, and number 18 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart in 1972.[http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Never+Been+to+Spain+by+Three+Dog+Night&id=46002 Three Dog Night, "Never Been to Spain" U.S. Chart Positions] Retrieved February 7, 2015 Outside of the US, "Never Been to Spain" reached number 3 in Canada[http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7546&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=98q6tcgku7546lsrfi3gr83pp7 Three Dog Night, "Never Been to Spain" Canada Chart Position] Retrieved February 7, 2015 and number 34 in Australia.

Weekly charts



Year-end charts



Other versions



* Elvis Presley, on his 1972 album 'As Recorded at Madison Square Garden'.

* Ronnie Sessions, as a single in 1972 that reached number 36 on the 'Billboard' Country chart.[http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?title=Never+Been+to+Spain+by+Ronnie+Sessions&id=87557 Ronnie Sessions, "Never Been to Spain" Chart Position] Retrieved February 7, 2015

* Cher, on her 1972 album 'Foxy Lady'.

* Waylon Jennings, on his 1972 album 'Ladies Love Outlaws' and in the 2007 concert film 'Never Say Die: The Final Concert' and its soundtrack.

* Ike & Tina Turner, on their 1977 album 'Delilah's Power'.

* Cravin' Melon, on their 1998 EP 'Squeeze Me'.

* The No Refund Band recorded a cover popular in the west coast swing community.

* ApologetiX did a parody of the song entitled "Never Been to Spain (Yet)" that was featured on their 2007 live album 'Chosen Ones'.

* The Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band plays a version of the song every football game during the first time out of the fourth quarter, as well as at numerous other events throughout each academic year. It has been recorded in several of their performance albums. The entire marching band and stadium of fans yell "State" in unison following the line "I've never been to heaven, but I've been to Oklahoma".

References



Category:1971 songs

Category:1971 singles

Category:1972 singles

Category:Songs written by Hoyt Axton

Category:Three Dog Night songs

Category:Elvis Presley songs

Category:Cher songs

Category:Ike & Tina Turner songs

Category:Waylon Jennings songs

Category:Dunhill Records singles

Category:MGM Records singles

Category:Songs about music

Category:Songs about Oklahoma

Category:Songs about Spain

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