The Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues (Woody Allen Special - 1969)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- The Fifth Dimension's unique sound lay somewhere between smooth, elegant soul and straightforward, adult-oriented pop, often with a distinct flower-power vibe. Although they appealed more to mainstream listeners than to a hip, hardcore R&B audience, they had a definite ear for contemporary trends; their selection of material helped kickstart the notable songwriting careers of Jimmy Webb and Laura Nyro, and their biggest hit was a medley from the hippie musical +Hair, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." The group's soaring, seamless harmonies were given appropriately sweeping, orchestrated period production by Bones Howe, which often placed their records closer to California-style sunshine pop. That's actually part of the reason why the best singles from the Fifth Dimension's heyday of the late '60s and early '70s still evoke their era with uncanny precision.
The Fifth Dimension began life in Los Angeles in 1965 as the Versatiles. Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson, and Billy Davis, Jr. all grew up in St. Louis, and moved to Los Angeles independently of one another; each was trained in a different area -- jazz, opera, and gospel/R&B, respectively. Marilyn McCoo was the first female singer to join, and she was soon augmented by Florence LaRue; both were ex-beauty pageant winners who'd attended college in the L.A. area. Their demo tape was rejected by Motown, but after a one-off single for Bronco, they caught the attention of singer Johnny Rivers, who'd just set up his own label, Soul City. Rivers signed the group in 1966 on the condition that they update their name and image, and thus the Fifth Dimension was born. Their first Soul City single, "I'll Be Lovin' You Forever," was a flop, but a cover of the Mamas & the Papas' "Go Where You Wanna Go" climbed into the Top 20.
Budding young songwriter Jimmy Webb ("Macarthur Park," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," etc.) supplied the Fifth Dimension with their breakthrough hit, 1967's "Up, Up and Away." An ode to the pleasures of flying in a beautiful balloon, the song became the group's first Top Ten hit, peaking at number seven, and went on to sweep the Grammy Awards, taking home five total (including Record of the Year and Song of the Year). Its success pushed the Fifth Dimension's first album, also titled Up, Up and Away, to gold sales status. The group stuck with Webb for its second album, The Magic Garden, which featured only one non-Webb composition; it produced a couple of minor hits in "Paper Cup" and "Carpet Man," but nothing on the level of "Up, Up and Away." Their third LP was thus more diverse, featuring several compositions by another up-and-coming songwriter, Laura Nyro. The title cut, Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic," went all the way to number three in the spring of 1968, selling over a million copies and putting Nyro on the map. The Nyro-penned follow-up single, "Sweet Blindness," also reached the Top 20.
The Fifth Dimension's success peaked in 1969 when the group caught a Broadway production of +Hair, and immediately decided to cut a medley of two songs from the show. "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" was a monster hit and grew to become one of the era's defining pop records; it spent six weeks at number one, sold a whopping three million copies, and won the group its second Record of the Year Grammy. Accompanying LP The Age of Aquarius went gold and nearly hit number one, and their Nyro-penned follow-up single, "Wedding Bell Blues," followed its predecessor to number one as well. The song was something of a mirror of real life; Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo were married that year, and Florence LaRue also married group manager Marc Gordon.
Their album sales began to taper off, and their vocal arrangements now tended to spotlight soloists rather than unified harmonies. McCoo emerged as a focal point, singing lead on the 1972 Top Ten hits "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" and "If I Could Reach You." They proved to be the group's last major successes; another Bacharach tune, 1973's "Living Together, Growing Together," barely made the Top 40, and the following year's Soul & Inspiration LP marked the end of their relationship with producer Bones Howe. 1975's Earthbound was another full-length collaboration with Jimmy Webb, and much like The Magic Garden, its thematic unity failed to produce a significant hit single. It was also the last album by the original lineup; McCoo and Davis left the group to form a duo, and scored a big hit in 1976 with "You Don't Have to Be a Star." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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One of the most beautiful women to ever walked on the planet
Beautifully said…. My knees get weak at her soul crushing singing
@@JohnGalt99999totally agree!
One of the first songs I loved… at 3 years old!
people today fail to realize that TALENT if you really have it is TIMELESS . this 52 year old video STILL makes people feel good when they see it . her talent , her oura never ages . it endures . it puts nikki , beyonce , cardi , all to shame .
Spot on ✔ I just can't see Marilyn McCoo singing WAP!
You are on the money !!!
You are so correctmundo . 63 and getting younger, on this end. Should be in the hall of fame and some. "All fact".
her voice is so whole, full, pure, and excellent. she has a warm, sweet, nurturing singing and talking voice. I like also her diction and the way she pronounces, and enunciates words. her singing technique is superb and her singing soft smooth, mellow, and oh so flawless. Shes beautiful, talented, elegant, classy. She's a total package.
As long as she looks and sound white!! You have issues!!
She always said she has "a voice like a school teacher." Cracks me up.
No doubt a MAGA RACIST LIKE TRUMP
She also was a good actress. She did a bit of TV work ( not talking about Solid Gold ) which she co host.
You said it. She is the whole package. Flawless.
The two ladies are New Jersey's finest
They (Marilyn McCoo and Bill Davis) were married in the year 1969, they are still married to this day! Beautiful couple
She must have talked him into it. Smart fellow.
@@amadeusamwater She was the one who initiated their relationship. This is info from an interview they did.
Don't ever marry someone named Bill!
@@Rhaspun Because he liked her
They were bandmates long before they ever got romantically involved. Then it was "why not go on a date since we're together so often?" It made sense from a career point of view and it seems to have worked out for them.
Loved this song when I married my wife of 52 years after getting back from Vietnam.
Marilyn has an absolutely flawless voice, and delivery as smooth as silk. I loved everything about this group.
*👍Great voice... Beautiful song.*
great song always loved it a masterpiece and timeless
I would love for her and Karen Carpenter to sing together! Wonder if they did?
He has such a beautiful smile .
@@tonyr.5111 beautiful woman too
This is when there was real talent and classic music. Wonderful 😊.
Agree
💯
One of the smoothest beautiful voices of our generation.
Always loved the 5th Dimension!
One of the most under recognized voices in music history. Marilyn is peerless and unlike her contemporaries can still belt every note 50 years later and still GORGEOUS!
She may be the most beautiful girl ever
She has the best voice ever. You right very underrated .
im sorry folks but there is nothing underated or unrecognized about maryln mccoo! She is a bonafied legend!! This was frank sinatra's favorite group.
Why does every TH-cam video have people remarking the performer in underrated (or under recognized), Most likely you weren't alive then, and didn't know they were huge stars.
"Summer of Soul" says it all. She's still stunning.
She is so beautiful! Still married to Bill, too. This group was a class act!
My mom introduced me to this group, I instantly liked them!!!
Yes!!!😊
God so beautiful. Had a powerful crush on her when I was a kid...still do.
Bill isn't his name, it's Billy Davis Jr.
The Fifth Dimension were #1 on mine & sister's birthdays with the songs then. Tomorrow marks mom gone 12 years from this life. Pray for her reposed soul.
This song is mine & my husband - Bill's song. We had dated for several years, but he would never pop the question. I called a local radio station on his birthday & asked them to play it, which they did. We got married the following month.
It really doesn't get better than this. The 5th Dimension had such versatility, musicality, and class, they were the best, IMO.
Good luck finding this high level performers today .
agreed, but 5 is an odd number, and someone always got left behind to play with themself.
They were definitely unique in that era of music. They all had great voices, but hers stood out the most.
Marilyn McCoo was such a talent and beautiful and down to earth person. She and her husband never let their fame or their career interfere with their marriage. They deserve to be honored and remembered in the music industry for their contribution.
Marilyn McCoo The most beautiful girl in Music with the most amazing voice..look at her face. Not one of these pop stars today can compete with her..
Beauty talent and pure class that’s what the fifth dimension is and will always be. We don’t have anything like this anymore and it’s a shame love from all of us on Staten Island New York. Thanks for the upload you guys.
Thank you Laura Nyro. One of the Great song writers in History!
Finally someone credits the composer! Laura was a one-off!!
Marilyn is the voice of the generation. She was wonderful.
What an incredibly talented and classy lady. I feel so sorry that young people today aren't exposed to this kind of music or performer.
thedjc100 I love this song a lot and totally agree, most of my classmates don’t know any old songs 😂
This is real music! I am soo glad these were my high schoo years! 😉❤l
The bar is set so incredibly low for today's performers that mediocre singers are hyped as outstanding. It really irks me.
thedjc100 me too, but I'm educating my children. My 18yr old listens to Teddy Pendergrass, Etta James, is obsessed with what we in the UK call Northern Soul (Gloria Jones, The suspicions, Edwin Starr etc) So far, so good but more parents need to stop trying to be down with the kids by listening to what the kids like. Instead they should play Friends of Distinction's Going in Circles & 5th dimension's Wedding bell blues full blast all around the house. Tough love, but eventually the kids will see the light and never listen to Lady GaGa again.
Allison Johnson.....I changed my mind about Lady Gaga when I saw a TV special she did with Tony Bennett. Lady G is quite an impressive jazz singer and prefer her that way. The young kids ' musical tastes are still in their infancy and they will learn to choose better once peer influence on their choices wanes.
Who could ever refuse a proposal from Marilyn McCoo? She is an absolute knockout to this day.
Apparently back in the day, Bill was a huge commitmentphobe and this song was written by a friend to steer him in that direction. It worked. Marilyn and Bill have been happily married for 53 years!
Marilyn must be one of the most beautiful, talented artists EVER! Bless them both, still together, wonderful couple. Grew up listening to the 5th Dimension in the 60s. They all just gelled so well, harmonies to die for. Always a class act.
This Is The Epitome Of A True And Beautiful Woman ... ❤
Bill and Marilyn had their 51st anniversary last week.
God bless them they are so beautiful
And she still looks great
Oh how wonderful. Congratulations and all my best, always. I love you all so much!!!
Congratulations 🎊🍾🎉 Beautiful couple!!!
That's awesome! Congratulations ❤️🎉🎊💝🎂🥂🍾🎁🪅
Marilyn's voice is so clear and beautiful this is the music of AM radio back in the 60s and 70s
Marilyn, along with Whitney & Aretha, were my absolute favorites
Marilyn. Was. One. Of. The. BEST. female. Singers. PERIOD!! J
Marilyn's voice is straight from heaven.
Oy! Me, too, and I am gay. Did you ever hear the 5ths version of "Ode to Billy Joe"?
She was beautiful talented and pure class and fully dressed I grew up with this group and they will always have a special place in my 💓
Its her diction and enunciation. Every word syllable and phonic is perfectly pronounced. She's perfection
and she made many edictions, as well.
You know a singer is great when their live performances sound as good if not better than the studio version! A great voice!
I once heard her sing paul williams "loneliness" alone without music I fell in love with her then.
Two great voices ♥️❤️
they are probably lip syncing. Most tv shows they did.
@@anthonyfoutch3152 Not a chance. You could always tell lip syncing back then because they always sang to their released recordings and the song just faded with no discernable end. This is live. There's a definite live ending not on the hit record.
@@rickw1100 They probably prerecorded this live earlier before the live broadcast with the studio band. Then, they lip-synched to the recording when the show was broadcasting live in case of any glitches with the choreography and staging. So yes it is a "live" recording. This was common during that time.
What a great year for music, cars, space exploration and just about everything else '69 was!
Beautiful songs by a beautiful singer and her band-Marilyn McCoo
What a beautiful woman!!! What a voice!!! Puts theses no talents of today to shame!!
A 54 year old song. Never gets old!
SO RIGHT!!)
At the tender age of twelve, this song defined the promise of marriage for me. And how utterly fitting that she and Billy are still going strong, itself a testament to eternal optimism!
How could he resist?
When I was a young man,about 11 years old,I first heard the song Aqarius and the effect it had on me at the time stayed with me to this day.I am 65.
I can say the same thing. I'm 61 last month.
I’m right there….60 years old. Heard this in my parents house and went down my own path through Iron Maiden, et al….and I am right here in 2024 mixing it all up…..5th Dimension is awesome!
The thing about the Fifth Dimension is that they always look like they're having such a good time performing. That, and the fact that their songs, arrangements, voices, and harmonies are fantastic.
just like 'the mamas and the papas' but that was drugs...and maybe adultery and incest.....
One of the most stunningly beautiful woman of all time and a voice to match the looks! Luckily the same with her class and intelligence...
Class act. Sure miss this kind of talent mingled with grace.
How stunning is this - she’s gorgeous and an amazing singer and they’re such a great group 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The lady simply oozes class
John C I loved her when I was a kid back in the late 60s and still do. Told my mom I wanted to marry her and my mom said she was different(skin color hint hint) from me. Told her I didn’t care she was so beautiful and had the best voice I ever heard.
Yes. I remember the group and the song from early 1970 when it was a hit over here in the UK, I was 13 at the time and I agree, She was, maybe even still is, a very easy Lady to have a 'Crush' on.
A positive vibe that I remember from this era, and appreciate.
Another reason why I miss the 1960s.
Real talent that did not rely on fake gimmicks or computerized enhancements.
Give me groups like this.
THE FIFTH DIMENSION WAS A BLESSING ♡♡♡
Reminds me of my youth, riding around the city in my parent's car listening to WABC AM radio. We took ot for granted how much good music we were exposed to.
Same here! WABC-AM was the best! 🙂
Wish I could go back to that time, yes it was special😥
We thought good music would never end... Boy were we wrong!
I, too, was a WABC radio fan at the time of the British Invasion.
To KIM ALONZO I read your comment about listening to WABC AM77 and of the 5TH DEMENSION SONG video your comment was on! If you did not know there are all original WABC 77 RADIO RECORDINGS with DAN INGRAM/CHUCK LEONARD/COUSIN BRUSSIE/RON LUNDY and all the rest of those guys from WABC 77AM RADIO and you can hear them by typing in to the keyboard on cell phone or computer:WABC AIRCHECKS:DISC JOCKEYS (you can type in the year you remember like:5TH DEMENSION,1969,CHUCK LEONARD and so on! Theres also a great aircheck about one hour long from JIM NETTLETON during the evening hours of OCTOBER 1969! with:SUGAR SUGAR/GREEN RIVER/I,D WAIT A MILLION YEARS/EVERYBODYS TALKIN/TRACY and theres the TOP 100 OF 1970/CHUCK LEONARDS TOP 100 OF 1968 and tons more**ENJOY AND THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT*********
Marilyn's voice gives me the chills. So beautiful.
No tattoos, cheesecake outfits, profanity, sexual overtones, provocative lyrics, etc. Just a straight song with class, PERIOD!!!
She's wearing a minidress
@@jonathanwashington6083, and she was gorgeous in it...
Bruce Scott amen Bruce! Tattoos on women,,,,yuck!
@@jonathanwashington6083 so did every other young women in the 60s,,,if you are from that era you will know!!
@@doloresdemar2347 Which shows that the whole "they didn't dress skimpy back then" nostolgia filter is bogus.*
*And even if they did, so what? They're nothing wrong with singing in a minidress....in ANY decade.
Five members of this band sound like a huge choir, just beautiful.
One of the greatest groups of the 60's. Just listen to those voices. REAL VOICES! No auto tune.
now this is REAL harmony !!! The 5th dimension was a true class act; maybe it's just me but isn't today's music missing a whole lot of something?
Today’s music is awfull , 60’s 70’s and 80’s will never be beaten , I was born in 1965 and those Decades for Music were outstanding 👌👌👌
Kent, I think today's so called music is missing a whole lot of everything. Sad.
Marilyn McCoo would certainly be in my top 5 female vocalists of all time, her clarity is spot on !!!
It’s missing soul. That’s what happened when everybody let corporations buy out everything in the 70’s and the 80’s
An absolute legend and a Honey with a beautiful voice ❤️❤️❤️🌹💋👍
What an absolute sweetheart of a performer....Marilyn McCoo!
Marilyn's voice gives me goosebumps.
She is perfect and deserved so much more respect from the media. She had more talent than any of these so-called "A" list stars of today.
She's not a democrat so they hate her. You have to align with anything democrat to get recognition. It's like a cult nowadays.
Style, beauty, talent. Real music. Marilyn is beautiful.
This is talent America! World! God given talent and class! 1969 I was 14 and enjoyed her talent! Still do!
Saw them play at The Hollywood Bowl in 1970. I’m from South Dakota, believe me it was a big deal. Love this group.
Such a powerful rich voice. Marylyn was one in a million and she truly has left her mark upon this world.
A beautiful woman, a beautiful voice. Brings back so many memories. Where ever you are Ms Marylin, Thank you.
Sometimes my kids will latch on to a song I’m listening to. My 17 year old daughter loves this song.
One of Laura Nyro’s best songs, beautifully interpreted.
Wow, Layra Nyro! A name I sadly had forgotton (and I'm a songwriter!)
@@lindastarr1551 My girl-friends turned me on to her in the 70's. Big fan.
She sings the hell outta this song. Still pops today as fresh and vibrant as in '69.
I can just remember every word to this song with her flawless voice
She's a perfect 10!
Such a beautiful time im so proud I was born in. The 60s and 70s was such a great time for true family music.
5th dimension was one of my favorite harmony groups, Marilyn's voice always knocked me out, they're a class act all the way !!!
florence was awesome too
WOW! Marilyn always knocked me out. Stunning beauty and talent. One of the best voices ever. Seems like they slowed the song a little. I LOVE IT.
Class, Beauty and Talent, amazing
They were so good!! Loved their harmony and everything they all sang!!!
Who "knows" Marilyn "is still" one of the best female vocalists even to this day? And who's still listening in 2019? I am & I remember when this first came out,so long ago yet the memories are so sweet! ❤🔊 🎤👌
Leeanne Newman August 2019! Just came across this video and memories of my teenage years came flashing back. I had the biggest crush on her! She’s so beautiful and classy with a great voice!
It's 2021 & I'm listening!
I completely agree with what others have said about the talents of Marilyn McCoo and Bill Davis. 🎼 Their music is pure magic to my 💚💙💜 heart.
First heard this in 1987 on a trip to Columbus Ohio to buy my first car. It's a timeless masterpiece ✨️. There's not a female singer today that could hold a candle to this woman
God bless Laura Nyro who composed Wedding Bell Blues and the 5th Dimension for bringing it!!! 🌎💫💥🌈
I adore Laura Nero...RIP...💔 And I love this version also. 💖
Laura Nyro - gone far too soon, an amazing talent.
@@Europa1749 Passed away when she was only 49. Tragic
Marilyn looked like a world class super model with the voice of an angel. ANY man would be PROUD and very lucky to have her stand beside them. Billy Davis you are a VERY fortunate man.
The harmonies are wonderful!!
No matter how lovely and wonderful those words are that she sings to Bill, an underlying strain of sadness runs through this song. A beautiful song interwoven with a sad empathetic tone - someone yearning for a soul mate. It is really a timeless song with lyrics that are relatable to everyone. Remarkable songwriting work for an eighteen year old, Laura Nyro. Rivals another great song; the legendary Jimmy Webb's "The worst that could happen." Both songs speak of a tremendous feeling of wanting of a person to fulfill a great feeling of happiness and love in life. Both terrific songs released in the second half of the 1960's. I always wondered if Laura actually had a potential soulmate, a "Bill", in her life that she dreamed of being with as she wrote these lyrics; when she was a very young woman only eighteen years of age. The Fifth Dimension led here by Marilyn certainly do this song justice. A fantastic rendition of Nyro's great song (even better than the original in many ways IMO). What a great voice McCoo has.
What a classy group. If Bill , I will. Music from the 60's - 80's was so inspiring and so good. I'm so blessed to have childhood and teen years was in the '70's. So much fun.
I juist realized that I'm still in love with Marilyn.
Michael Angelus Been in love with her since 68. I get her.
you and a billion others..
One of the Best group's of the late 60s !!! Also Class !
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis beautiful couple and beautiful music God bless you both. Beautiful memories beauitful times. brings tears to my eyes every time I hear their music.
I still love this song! 50 years ago it touched me then...just like it did tonight! First time I've heard this song in 40 years.....loved it!
Marilyn was one of the greatest voices of the 1960s. What a great group they were.
Oh God Yess.... Marilyn.. I Am So in Love... That Voice The Amazing Grace And Immense Beauty.. She's Just Magical ☺☺😘😘💘💘💘💘
Marilyn McCoo
Gorgeous lady & gorgeous voice
She makes it look effortless.
Need more singers like her today
What a powerful voice. She set a high mark with her talent. Let's hope the young will emulate her.
This Song takes Me Back home to Chicago South Side of Town when Life seem so Simple then. I Miss My Mom and Dad. Rest in Peace Mom And Dad. Love You Both.
What you know about the South Side😂, Jew town was bigger than, I haven't been home in 10 years I miss Chicago, especially shaking on 87th St. on Saturday night
Marvelous Marilyn!!!!!!Unsurpassed - Just phenomenal group the 5th Dimension!!!!!!As a child I was so drawn to that Beautiful voice - the talent immeasurable the legacy unforgettable!!!!!!
Wow! They had so many hits that still sound good today. Phenomenal talent!
I remember this back the 60’s my friends mom use sing this all the time!
She was so beautiful and still is...
Effortless perfection is the voice of Marilyn McCoo Davis. Always so much class, this group carved their name in music history and need never worry about any competition. Billy Davis .... the luckiest man in the world
She is gorgeous.... Hear voice is sounds likes a heaven.
TK/TB-41066, out...
How wonderful to see this because I've always been a huge fan of Marilyn and her live voice is just as sparkling and crisp and clear as her recorded voice. Such a wonderful gift she has with that gem of a voice
I'd take Marilyn over a million Beyonce and Nickis. She was marvelous.
You are so right, Johnny. She was beautiful, ladylike and very talented, not merely audacious, like the two other "ladies" you mentioned and so many others you didn't.
And she always seemed so happy. The 5th Dimension had their own TV show for a while and she guest hosted several others like Shindig. You got the idea her personality was as bright as her performances.
What a talent , just own the song from the first note. What a underestimated talent! She should be more well known than she is.
+Hell Paving Company
I'll definitely second that! I suppose the B's and N's of today have their place, but Marilyn was truly a goddess of song. She was also beautiful and classy. I miss when performances were based on voice and music, rather than bare-all outfits, pyro-technics and shock value.
She still is so beautiful today remarkably doesn't look much different and STILL MARRIED to Bill.
Saw her perform a couple of years ago. Still beautiful. Still poised. And the voice....
1969 I had been drafted and was training at Ft. Ord. California on my way to Vietnam. This song played all the time on the radio. I really liked it. It was about having a soul mate. Hearing it evokes some strong feelings.
+george aldridge Thank you for your service! And thank you for your insights about this song!
+george aldridge Thank you for your service George. I too was at beautiful Ft Ord (17 y.o. at the time) but in 1974 , November to be exact. Instead of the 5th D it was Shiela Ferguson and the 3 Degrees. No one, absolutely no one can top the 5th D and the Three Degrees in general and Marilyn McCoo and Sheila Ferguson in particular. God bless you and all your fellow Vietnam vets.
+george aldridge Thank you for your service George
My older brother was in Vietnam.
Thank you for your service, my father was a Vietnam vet he would play all theses songs from the 60's when I was a kid growing up. And to this day its still such great music
Wonderful and timeless.
The Bronx prodigy Laura Nyro wrote this song when she was a teenager. Interestingly, in November 1969 while Nyro was selling out Carnegie Hall with her solo piano/vocal shows, three of her songs were in the USA top ten, including this at No.1. Check out Nyro's Motown/soul LP with LABELLE 'Gonna Take a Miracle (1971). Its superb.
I just had to hear this song so beautiful
this song brings me back to when i was a 4 year old..... now at almost 50 years old i cant get over how this song takes me back.... the most nostalgic song ever. I feel like 1970 when i hear it.
What a great voice. Great harmony's, plus, they seemed to enjoy being in that group. But what i like more than anything, their diverse songs and styles. Now they deserve to be recognized, for their musical achievements by the grammy's or the rrhof.