SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK!

"Three Is a Magic Number"

Original Air Date

January 6, 1973

"Three Is a Magic Number" is the pilot episode of the Schoolhouse Rock! series and the first episode of the program's first season, "Multiplication Rock." The title song, written by Bob Dorough, and accompanying animated video were created after ad agency co-chairman David McCall observed that his son had learned every Beatles lyric but could not remember multiplication tables.

Though the song is not as iconic to the Schoolhouse Rock series as later episodes such as "I'm Just a Bill" and "Conjunction Junction" (ranking as only the show's seventh most popular episode according to the 30th Anniversary VHS), it has proven, thanks to its more passive approach to teaching about the multiples of three than later episodes, to be more popular as a standalone album. The music video for this version features clips from the original show.


"Three Is A Magic Number"

Is this on?
1 2 3 Come on!
Yeah were a magic number
Yeah yeah yeah
Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey
3 is a family baby

3 is a magic number
Yes it is, It's a magic number
Stand together til we're done
One for all and all for one
We are 3, it's a magic number

I'm with you your with me
Birds fly full of speed
Side to side we'll always be together

3 is a family
3 is a family
(Were a magic number)
3 is family
Yeahhh

When things are looking hopeless
(Uh huh)
And you don't know what to do
(Yeah)
You can turn to me my friend
And I'll always turn to you
Alright

1 and 1 and 1 is 3
I've got you and you've got me
There's nothing we can't do us 3 together
It's a magic number
(3 is a family, 3 is a family)

3 times 10 is 30
3 times 9 is 27
3 times 8 is 24
3 times 7 is 21
3 times 6 is 18
3 times 5 is 15
3 times 4 is 12
3 times 3 is 9 and
3 times 2 is 6

And 3 times 1
What is it?
Three

1 2 3 3 2 1
If were not 3
Then were none
1 2 3 we never run
It's one for all and all for one

The number 1 stands alone
And 2 you can't divide
But when your 3
You'll always be
With friends there at your side

(AHHHHH)
3 times 10 is 30
3 times 9 is 27
3 times 8 is 24
3 times 7 is 21
3 times 6 is 18
3 times 5 is 15
3 times 4 is 12
3 times 3 is 9 and
3 times 2 is 6

And 3 times 1
What is it?
Three

When were united
Standing tall
All our backs against the wall
We can't be beat if we are all together
Were magic number
When things look up
It's getting tough
And you don't know what to do
It just depends if you've got friends
To help you make it through

Of all the numbers that could be
The most important number 3
Stands for you and you and me together
Were a magic number
(3 is a family)

Were on our way and nothings gonna stop us
Were a trio
We've got 3 in the family

3 is a family
3 is a family
3 is a family