Shambala

by

Three Dog Night

Album: Cyan     Released: 1973

US Chart: 3     

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This was written and originally recorded by Texas songwriter B.W. Stevenson. Stung by not having a hit with the tune himself, Stevenson recorded and released a carbon copy single called "My Maria" a few months after Three Dog Night hit the Top 10 with their cover of "Shambala." (thanks, Charles - Charlotte, NC)

The word "Shambala" has a spiritual meaning in the Buddhist religion, and some Tibetan Buddhists believe that it is a mystical land hidden somewhere in the Himalaya mountains.

This was used in a commercial television advertisement campaign for Citgo Petroleum. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

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Comments:

According to an old music book I have had since the seventies, Shambala was written in 1973 by Daniel Moore. Moore and Stevenson co-wrote My Maria.
- Hal , tampa, FL

My absolute favorite TDN Song!
- Eric , McAllen, TX

I still remember exactly where I was when I first heard this song; I was 8 years old and my family was staying at the beach for a week. Every time I hear this song, it takes me right back to the beach!
- Karen , Manchester, NH

Oh, for the record, it was the summer of 1973!
- Karen , Manchester, NH

The mythological place is called: Shangra-la
- Sunshine , Oklahoma City, OK

You know what made me like this song? Buck Rogers. By 1979 this was a hip but old song, but Buck had his entertainment system playing one of the songs from the archives. I remember the lady that stopped in asked "What is that?" And Buck rattled off "Shambala" which got an immediate "What?" Buck was like "Nevermind, before your time." Or something like that. This song was kinda fun like that show was.
- Greg , Dallas, TX

The song is currently being used in an advertising campaign by Michelob beer.
- Doug , Los Angeles, CA

Three Dog Night`s version of "Shambala" was featured in`an episode of`"Lost", in a Hurley flashback when he was working on a car with his father - significant for the show`s clue-hunters.
- Andrew , Ottawa, ON

"In Tibet, as well as many other Asian countries, there are stories about a legendary kingdom that was a source of learning and culture for present-day Asian societies. According to the legends, this was a place of peace and prosperity, governed by wise and compassionate rulers. The citizens were equally kind and learned, so that, in general, the kingdom was a model society. This place was called Shambhala." -Chogyam Trungpa
- Troy , starks, ME

The legend of Shambala is the Tibetan Buddhist (Tantric, or Lamanist) version of Armageddon, wherein a mighty Buddhist army will annihilate all Muslims, Christians, and Jews. It was played on very heavily by various political forces and armies during the first half of the twentieth century, in order to motivate people to fight fanatically without fear of death. For instance, one communist Mongol general led a group of Buriyat Mongol Red Guards against the White General von Ungern promising them that if they died in battle, they would be reincarnated as soldiers in the "Shambala Army". The Japanese also used it as propaganda quite a bit in organizing proxy armies of various minorities against the Chinese prior to their invasion of China in the 1930's.
- Bryant , Roswell, NM

this song is on the soundtrack from the movie titled "DROWNING MONA" with Bette Midler,Danny Devito,Jamie Lee Cutis,Casey Affleck and Neve Campbell. Truly a funny movie with a reasonably good soundtrack. Louis Rodriguez Lancaster,Cal
- louis rodriguez , lancaster, CA

My least favorite 3DN song. Just sorta retarded. It hit at a time when this type of hippie song was out of vogue.
- Darrell , Dallas, TX

Sort of a forgotten oldie... you don't hear it much. Big hit in '73.
- Pete , NY, NY

B.W. stevenson's version hit the charts on May 12, 1973 only reaching #66 during its 8 week run. Three dog nite's recording entered the charts a week later but had twice the run and hit #3. it was written by Daniel Moore - not Stevenson.
- Bill , Beechhurst, NY

Thanks to all of you that posted your opinions. This song has always resonated something deep within me. Listening to it is a very spiritual experience for me and it's good to know the history behind it.
- Chuck , Sarasota, FL

Just listen to the words and you can tell what it's about - Shambala, Nirvana, Heaven, that place of peace and love for one another. The singer is getting there, he's on the road to Shambala (love, peace, enlightenment).
- Nicole , Nottellin, OR

Steve from New Orleans - first let me say, I hope you're someplace safe and dry, and our thoughts and best wishes are with you all! Now - to answer your question about what the song "Shambala" is about - Shambala is a legendary, mythical city - kind of like a Buddhist Camelot, if that isn't mixing my metaphors too much. Shambhala (Shambala) represents the ideal of secular enlightenment, a view that all aspects of civilization'family, commerce, education, science, the arts, religion'can be permeated with a natural sense of sacredness. So, in short, Shambhala is a place whose people have achieved a state of spiritual enlightenment. That's what the song is about. And incidentally, there's an a cappella group called Rockapella that has an awesome recording of the song on one of their CD's.
- Vicki , Minneapolis, MN

"Shambhala" is a mythical city of Tibet, sort of a paradise on earth. If you read the book "Lost Horizon", it refers to the city of Shangri-La; this is based on the legend of Shambhala.
- Kelli , Cedar Rapids, IA

Charles is only partially correct. While B.W. Stevenson did record "Shambala," he is not the composer of the song. I also don't agree that "My Maria" is a "carbon copy" of "Shambala." There are a few stylistic similarities, but they're two entirely distinct songs.
- Mike , Youngstown, OH

An answer for Steve's question: http://www.shambhala.org/ The song is most likely about the buddhist retreat in Colorado (since it refers to the "halls of Shambala"). It started two years before the song was released by Three Dog Night. http://www.shambhalamountain.org/
- Brian , La Mesa, CA

Does anybody know what the song is about? I googled "Shambala" and it came up with a variety of things. I'd appreciate it if anybody could help me understand this hip tune. Thanks, Steve
- Steve , New Orleans, LA

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