The Story Behind Tony Orlando & Dawn’s ‘Knock Three Times’

“Knock Three Times” is a renowned pop song by the group Dawn, featuring lead vocals by Tony Orlando. The track tells the story of a man’s romantic interest in his neighbor, using knocking and ceiling tapping as secret signals. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics resonated with audiences, propelling it to significant commercial success.

Knock Three Times

Chart-Topping Success: “Knock Three Times” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1971 and sold over six million copies worldwide. ​

Anonymous Beginnings: Initially, Tony Orlando recorded the song anonymously due to his position at a rival record label. The group name “Dawn” was chosen arbitrarily and didn’t represent an actual band at the time. ​

Formation of the Trio: Following the song’s success, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent joined Tony Orlando to form the official lineup of Tony Orlando & Dawn, leading to further hits in the 1970s. ​

Songwriters’ Inspiration: The song was written by Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown, who were inspired by the idea of communicating through apartment walls, a common scenario in urban living. ​

Cultural Impact: “Knock Three Times” has been featured in various films and continues to be a nostalgic favorite, symbolizing the pop sound of the early 1970s.

Video