A member of the 5th dimension lost his wallet on a subway in NYC. It was found by a member of the cast of the hippie play "HAIR" so the 5th dimension was so impressed by the honesty that they covered this music to help fill the seats in the theater where "hair " was playing.
Joe Osborne played bass on the piece and it was ad libed. The producer said, just do something. Lol Joe was one of the studio master musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
It's funny how I still get chills as I did as a child listening to this song. Billy Davis Jr. takes you to church, with his vocals on "Let the Sunshine" they don't write'm or sing'em like this anymore! Once upon a time songs were timeless art, set to music!
Oh this old fart was about 12 when this song came out and we went absolutely gaga over it. There wasn't anyone who didn't love The fifth dimension back then and I still love them. As someone has probably already stated, these songs were from The Rock musical Hair, which I bought the soundtrack of when it came out in '69. To this day it's my favorite musical. You should really check out the Broadway cast album because it is full of treasures, some of which were covered by other artists and turned into hits. I still love this song and I also love Lex's reactions, they are precious and I'm so glad that young people love the music that I grew up with.
This never gets old. They were mixing this song. Three guys and two girls. Yes it was soprano but not just that. The way they moved each other at the mics. Maybe they didn’t have our mixing boards, but they mixed themselves. And, everybody was important. 5 part harmony gave you some really cool chords. Loved your reaction and still love this song.
They were the first to combine the two songs together. Very nice people by the way. I met them after I went to see them at the Westbury music fair. My niece and I were waiting outside for autographs and they invited us in for a wine and cheese party..
This song came out in 1968 and one of the best for that year. I have read that in many critics opinion that 1968, for music, was a defining year and a game changer. It had so many great songs and I am so greatful that my teenage years were in the late 60's.
Every year of the 60s was a defining year and a game changer, at least from 1964 onwards. '68 definitey was, but '67 was THE game changing year, not '68. 1967 was a total sea change: The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and countless other new bands either debuted or hit that year (including a bunch of singer-songwriters). The Beatles did Sgt. Pepper which was THE game changer of the DECADE. Entire careers did not make it past the 1967 mark. The music industry totally changed as well. Musically 1968 was more of 1967 for the first half (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Incesnse And Peppermints, lots of bands doing Sgt. Pepper type albums) and then near the end you got The Band's first album, Electric Ladyland, The White Album, Beggars' Banquet. I wouldn't call that a sea change like 1967, or 1964. 1968 was a consequential year otherwise, with the assassinations, the election, the war....but 1968 was just the next year in a string of great years for groundbreaking music. It's part of a continuum, where as 1967 is the beginning of something (although it also is part of a continuum....one you could say started in '64, or '62, the year both Dylan and The Beatles enter the scene.
The song was recorded in 1968 but released in 1969. It won Grammy for 1970 record of the year. and another for best vocal performance by a pop group. It was sung in 1968 in the theatre show “Hair.”
@B Gallagher Aquarius has since outsold Sugar Sugar and is 76th on the all-time Billboard 100 chart, selling in excess of 3 million copies. Globally it was the best-selling song of 1969.
I was born in 67 so as a kid this was still being played a lot on the TV & radio when I was pre-school. I remember it so well even at that age and it reminds me of my grandparents. It honestly makes my heart ache listening to it. Wonderfully soulful song!
I was born in 67 as well and couldn't agree more. Although this song reminds me of my Mother specifically. She was a 70s feminist Mother, working professional and gave of herself to anyone who asked. Over 500 people came to her funeral. I was so moved.
Watching young folks reacting to old popular songs they never heard of reminds me of how old these songs really are. To put it perspective 53 years before this song came out in 1969 was 1916.
Funny story about your Mom waking you up with this, Lex... 🤣 At least now you know it wasn't as crazy as it seemed at the time. 😎 I hope you have fond memories every time you hear this. "Let the Sun Shine" always pops into my head when I see a nice sunrise.
This was from the musical "Hair" which came out in the late 60's or early 70's. It was met with some controversy because there was a scene where the cast was naked. I saw the play at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood which was near the corner of Sunset and Vine. During the naked scene, the lights were lowered so things were more shadows than stark images but the cast started crawling over the seated audience. I was afraid I was going to get slapped in the forehead with some mans genitalia. I didn't but I certainly got a good look at it all. The music from this show was great and I really enjoyed the show. A few people (rich snooty types) did get up in a huff and leave the theatre which surprised me because the nudity had been widely publicized so nobody should have been shocked. I think it was just a few of the uptight old money types being dramatic. All of this is probably more than you wanted to hear but I just thought I would share the experience that went along with this music. Thanks for your reactions.
@@larrystuder8543 I saw it when it first opened (opening night) 1969 or 1970, right around that time and from what I read at the time, they really toned it down after the first couple of performances. I believe police had come in and busted the show which is why they toned it down. But even so, the lights were very low so you really couldn't see much unless it was right in your face. Would you happen to be related to Margie Studer?
@@larrystuder8543 Not the same. Studer was the maiden name of the girl I knew. She lived in Los Angeles. Thanks for getting back to me I was thinking that it would be more than strange if there was a connection.
This song I think came out in 1967, the height of the space race, new age movement and the summer of love. This song is almost an anthem for those years. It is often used in movies or tv shows to denote the late 60s.
The escalating Vietnam War was in the background of those years and these songs were something of a retort to the MIC (military industrial complex) and all senseless wars (especially the one in Vietnam at that time). The 5th Dimension (and the musical "Hair") were trying to nudge all of us into a new age of understanding (aka "The Age of Aquarius").
@@gpxo11 Wow! I thought you were pulling my leg with "Carpet Man"...but they really did sing a song called "Carpet Man". I had never heard it before. I have to disagree with you, "Puppet Man" was 100 times better, and it was a hit, whereas "Carpet Man" never saw the light of day. Just my opinion. Thanks for setting me straight.
This song was HUGE in the 70's, and in my opinion should be considered "traditional" at this point. Good to bring these types of songs to the younger generations. The solo guy has a Wilson Pickett sound. Check out some live Wilson Pickett... he's freaking amazing! 😳🤘😎
I’m 67 years old, and this song really captures the “corporate rock” angle of the ‘60s. Optimism and vocal harmony. I finally scored a clean copy of this album and played this bit in moments of nostalgia. Good song!
@@johnhoerl7326 Yep - in The Wrecking Crew movie, there's a segment with him and he's playing that bass line solo at first then they fade in the track over top of him...
*** The 5th DIMENSION were a kind of "Black Pop", something that had Never really been seen before. They Charted 20 Hits in the Mid '60's & won 6 Grammys in the category of Contemmporary.
2 words Florence LaRue, beautiful and what a singer . There on summer of soul (or, when the revolution could not be televised) on Disney+. Worth checking out.
I was looking through the comments to see if anyone mentioned Summer of Soul. So many great performances and I thought Fifth Dimension's story was really nice
Dat bass doe (in let the sunshine in). Also, one of my earliest crushes as a ten year old very white boy in Maine was Marylin McCoo-Davis, the singer with the straighter hair and the moves. She's still married to the lead singer. They stepped out later as a successful duo.
@@chuckbeecher2099 Yup, sure is. Our kids are out of the house now, but we brought them to Maine for a week at a rental camp at least every other summer. To recreate my youth and because my whole family is still there, in greater Portland.
Great reaction!, this brings back many memories, Marilyn McCoo ( the girl in yellow ) was my first crush when I was a kid. I remember this song being on the radio for ages!. Recommend a reaction to Tower of Power "Your still a young man". Thank you! Peace! ☮
Preach! When this song came out, I was 8 years old. I thought Marilyn McCoo was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. I had a serious crush on her. Even today, at the age of 78, she's absolutely gorgeous.
I was so young when this came out I didn't even notice the girls but today I thought "Wow, who is that in yellow?" I do remember Marilyn McCoo now & yep, had a crush on her years later. Didn't know this was her back inn the 60s.
I’m 81 yrs old. When this song came out, many really bad things were happening; war, great civil unrest, people at each others throat, in many cases, anger and distrust between generations. The feeling was bad all around (like now). This song is so hopeful and joyous that we felt relief and had some hope that things might get better. There’s hope for us here.
Always loved this group. Marilyn McCoo has a wonderful voice and is so beautiful. She and Billy Davis have been married for 50'ish years. I had a teenager crush on her back then, These are the opening and closing numbers from "Hair".
We had such great music back then. It's one of the big influences on how we felt back then towards each other. I wish this generation had feel good music like that now. Society would be a lot better off as far as the way people treat each other nowadays.
This is from the play, HAIR, which was huge and produced 4-5 big pop hits. Everybody had the soundtrack album. The Fifth Dimension was about the biggest hottest act around in 1967-9. They had a string of big hits and Marilyn McCoo had a solo hit that is a classic with One Less Bell to Answer. She sounded as beautiful as she looked.
Written by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David. Hal David arrived early at Bacharach’s home for dinner and sat down with pen and paper mulling over new music Burt composed. Burt’s then wife, actress Angie Dickenson, (“Policewoman”) kept walking from the kitchen to the front door to let dinner guests in as they arrived. Hal remarks if Angie isn’t overworked continuously running back and forth and she quips ,”not at all, because with each guest I let in it’ll be one less bell to answer and one less egg to fry.” And there it is! Hal had this eureka moment and wrote it down. Amazing how iconic lyrics originate from normal everyday banter. Much love, -Diane, Vancouver, Canada. FrJN10/22. 06:49 pm
It's from the Broadway musical "Hair" which came out in 1968. This recording by the 5th Dimension was released in 1969 - a decade before the film you reference.
Lex your uplifting personality is probably because Mom always sang "Let the sunshine in" You must watch "Summer of Soul"! Great colorful performance by the Fifth dimension
Music at that time tended to be for and from the heart and crown chakras, as exemplified by this most groovy of anthems. We thirst for it today, our desert is so parched. There is a great clip from the movie "Hair" with this song playing, as hippie dancers in Central Park dance to the amazing and organic choreography of Ms. Twyla Tharp.
Yes -- I just recommended to Brad & Lex that they do a deep dive into HAIR -- the original theatrical experience rather than the movie -- but to START with the opening of the MOVIE - which has an incredible rendition of AQUARIUS truly gives you the whole spirit of the piece, and does it stupendously. LOVE Twarp's choreography and her beautiful dancers in that 5to7 minutes of film, as well as that incredible singer!!
@@Kairon111161 Who was that beautiful, flower-garlanded singer, the camera kept spinning around? What a voice indeed! I need the see the theatrical version. I heard they got nekkid! :)
@@MisterWondrous That was Renn Woods -- I've seen her in a few other things -- ROOTS on TV and CAROLINE, OR CHANGE on Broadway. But she really never got the exposure she deserved. Here's her wikipedia entry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renn_Woods
The 5th Dimension became a mainstay of what became known in the seventies as "easy listening" music. It was a radio station format for several years. They were perhaps best known for this song, their version of the era defining song "Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In" adapted from the rock and roll musical Hair. Some of their other hits include "Up, Up and Away", "One Less Bell To Answer", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Never My Love", and "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". They were a big deal back then. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. were the first African American married couple to host a network television series, The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show, in summer 1977. I remember watching a few episodes of it as a kid. And look at you two with your show today. Amazing! We've come a long way, baby, as they used to say...
Age of Aquarius was the opening number from Hair, and Let The Sunshine In which, actually, was titled The Flesh Failures, was the play's closing number. Hair itself, was about non-conformity in an era when young men were expected to conform, and accept the Vietnam War Draft.
I remember growing up watching shows like this in the Hippee years - and when we only had 3 channels, so we all knew it was on. Fun flashback. Fun reaction. I enjoy watching you two.
So much of the music of the day revolved around peace, love, stop the hate, stop the war, let's just get along etc. Seems like we need some of that today...
This song is from the musical Hair. We performed the music in my band class in Junior High School and it was my favorite piece because I played the baritone horn and we had the best part to play, the brass bass sound. In the late 60's and early 70's, astrology, sun signs, and horoscope stuff was very popular.
Beautiful people. Beautiful voices. Beautiful song. Number 1 in the U.S. for six weeks in 1969, number 1 in other countries that year as well. I had a big crush on Marilyn McCoo back in the day. She is so pretty. Ah, the good old days.
You should watch the "Summer of Soul" documentary. They perform this, and there are also interviews. Lots of other amazing artists of the era too, all performing live in a park in Harlem in the late 60s.
I was under 10 years old when this was on the radio, and for me, this song is all about the feeling it gave me. It is all about hope and the future….hearing songs like this was so positive…..and made me feel so lucky to be alive in such a wonderful world. Young kids didn’t get exposed to sad or negative themes…..we had no idea there were wars, or guns etc…..this song reminds me of my innocent childhood. I just feel sad that today’s children don’t get to live in the magical world we grew up in.
PSS: Beautiful reaction to this, by the way! I actually wept, Lexi's face really registers every chord change, the melody, the lyrics, the nuances....it was really touching. And then to hear the story about her mom waking her up with this song, and dancing these exact dances, I LOVED THAT!!! These TV appearances of 60s artists lip-syncing to their records can often look corny and "distract" from the sound and the song. Happy that didn't happen with this particular video! Usually I prefer no visuals unless they're actually playing live.
When I was 5 yrs old in 1971, this song made me notice music in general. I loved it and would dance around like crazy. 50 yrs later, it still is one of my all time faves! Gorgeous voices, positive song ❤🙏
the girl in the yellow is marilyn mccoo she was a host on solid gold hits in the 80's the male lead singer is billy davis and the two are married to this very day !
Became a sort of anthem of the closing of the 1960's in 1969. in Spring 1970 in junior high, we did it in choir. Kids were dancing in the aisles and singing, I was up on stage with the little band playing guitar. Bass player dropped his guitar strap before we started, he bent over to pick it up and sipped his pants in the middle seam lol. H announced to the whole audience he ripped his pants. The audience let out a big laugh, the choir teacher was at the piano laughing. We knew we couldn't mess this song up now, it was a big laugh. Our choir teacher was so hip to "our music" she was about 30 years old. Unfortunately 10 years or so later she died in a plane crash. i found out years later after that, and as an adult when I found out I balled my eyes out. I'll never forget her. she also taught beginning band [trumpet for me]...I became a music teacher because of teachers like her.
Born in 1966. Grew up listening to this band. My mom said I loved this band & Three Dog Night the best cause I would just go crazy when their music came on the radio. Having said that, I remember Marilyn McCoo (the lady in yellow) & Dionne Warwick as staples on "Solid Gold". Look it up.
This was one of my favorite albums...in 1970...yep I was 8. Didn't hurt that my zodiac is Aquarius. So I thought this was my song. BTW the Age of Aquarius begins in the year 2150 AD/CE, so no we are not in that Age, currently we are in Pisces.
They defined our 60’s generation. Loved them.
A member of the 5th dimension lost his wallet on a subway in NYC. It was found by a member of the cast of the hippie play "HAIR" so the 5th dimension was so impressed by the honesty that they covered this music to help fill the seats in the theater where "hair " was playing.
Wow, nice story ! They took that song to another level.
The title song “Hair” was popular too as it legitimized the hippy movement. I had the original broadway soundtrack on 8-track……
@@malcolmberke4862 I wore out two 8-track tapes and a cassette tape of the sound track and wore out a VHS of the movie.
😮
This is Billy Davis Jr and Marilyn McCoo retelling the story th-cam.com/video/3fXtPh8kBd4/w-d-xo.html
The 5 th dimension were so 60's and thank goodness! So beautiful and uplifting, great voices!
You wouldn't believe how big a hit this was when it came out. Everybody was singing it. It's like a theme through people's lives.
It still rocks!! 👍👍👍
I can remember being sick of this song because it was played so often.
It was constantly on the radio
exactly!!
Marilyn McCoo is a soprano with a three-octave range. One of the great voices in music history.
Yep. She displays her soaring voice (and strong emotions) on the classic "One Less Bell To Answer."
Her and Billy Davis, Jr. I believe he was the guy in the yellow jump suit, are still married and performing. Billy is , currently, 83, Marilyn 78.
The Greatest. I Love Marilyn.
Yes, I think you have uncovered the genre of singing that they have. It's called "really incredible vocals".
Actually, four octave range
OMG those vocals are thru the roof…. No auto-tune needed, that’s talent folks.
The bass line in Let The Sunshine In is killer.
YEEES!
I'm 52 years old and never noticed what a killer bass line that was until today.
That's the Wrecking Crew doing all the music. Carol Kaye doing the bass.
@@feetheweasel It's the Wrecking Crew alright, but it's Joe Osborn on bass
Joe Osborne played bass on the piece and it was ad libed. The producer said, just do something. Lol Joe was one of the studio master musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
It's funny how I still get chills as I did as a child listening to this song. Billy Davis Jr. takes you to church, with his vocals on "Let the Sunshine" they don't write'm or sing'em like this anymore! Once upon a time songs were timeless art, set to music!
Well said,Emanuel,I agree with everything you said.
Astounding with HEAVY Reverend James Cleveland vibes
They were always so positive ! Must have been their religious upbringing?
Now you see why those of us that grew up and lived in the 50's, 60's and 70's say "We Had The BEST MUSIC E-V-E-R"!!!
Marilyn McCoo.......what a voice.
She was GREAT as Julie in Showboat
Billy Davis Jr & Marilyn McCoo have been married since 1969 and are still going strong!
And when I found this out as a kid, I hated Billy Davis. I loved Marilyn McCoo.
when let the sunshine in drops this becomes one of the grooviest songs of all time
Oh this old fart was about 12 when this song came out and we went absolutely gaga over it. There wasn't anyone who didn't love The fifth dimension back then and I still love them. As someone has probably already stated, these songs were from The Rock musical Hair, which I bought the soundtrack of when it came out in '69. To this day it's my favorite musical. You should really check out the Broadway cast album because it is full of treasures, some of which were covered by other artists and turned into hits. I still love this song and I also love Lex's reactions, they are precious and I'm so glad that young people love the music that I grew up with.
Indeeeed!!! 12 when this broke!!! Excellent & beautiful song man✌&❤
Holy cow! You guys are OLD! Near DEATH!
I miss those days. Musically and life was pretty damn good
@@Gr8erh8er sure was.
One of those Broadway cast members of Hair was none other than Meat Loaf, in one of his first gigs.
MASSIVE hit in 1969.....a CLASSIC!!!
This never gets old. They were mixing this song. Three guys and two girls. Yes it was soprano but not just that. The way they moved each other at the mics. Maybe they didn’t have our mixing boards, but they mixed themselves. And, everybody was important. 5 part harmony gave you some really cool chords. Loved your reaction and still love this song.
They were the first to combine the two songs together. Very nice people by the way. I met them after I went to see them at the Westbury music fair. My niece and I were waiting outside for autographs and they invited us in for a wine and cheese party..
Wow! that's sweet!
Cool story! They sound really down to earth. 😊
WOW. That was soo kind of them,what a friendly gesture,what a great memoty.
This song came out in 1968 and one of the best for that year. I have read that in many critics opinion that 1968, for music, was a defining year and a game changer. It had so many great songs and I am so greatful that my teenage years were in the late 60's.
I was around 3 or 4 when this song came out, but I remember it!
It was magical, even for a 4 year old!
Every year of the 60s was a defining year and a game changer, at least from 1964 onwards. '68 definitey was, but '67 was THE game changing year, not '68. 1967 was a total sea change: The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and countless other new bands either debuted or hit that year (including a bunch of singer-songwriters). The Beatles did Sgt. Pepper which was THE game changer of the DECADE. Entire careers did not make it past the 1967 mark. The music industry totally changed as well. Musically 1968 was more of 1967 for the first half (In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Incesnse And Peppermints, lots of bands doing Sgt. Pepper type albums) and then near the end you got The Band's first album, Electric Ladyland, The White Album, Beggars' Banquet. I wouldn't call that a sea change like 1967, or 1964. 1968 was a consequential year otherwise, with the assassinations, the election, the war....but 1968 was just the next year in a string of great years for groundbreaking music. It's part of a continuum, where as 1967 is the beginning of something (although it also is part of a continuum....one you could say started in '64, or '62, the year both Dylan and The Beatles enter the scene.
The song was recorded in 1968 but released in 1969. It won Grammy for 1970 record of the year. and another for best vocal performance by a pop group. It was sung in 1968 in the theatre show “Hair.”
@B Gallagher "Take that, Monkees"! :D
@B Gallagher Aquarius has since outsold Sugar Sugar and is 76th on the all-time Billboard 100 chart, selling in excess of 3 million copies. Globally it was the best-selling song of 1969.
My mom used to play this LOUD while she was cleaning the house when I was little. I remember dancing around the house to this song.
I was born in 67 so as a kid this was still being played a lot on the TV & radio when I was pre-school. I remember it so well even at that age and it reminds me of my grandparents. It honestly makes my heart ache listening to it. Wonderfully soulful song!
I hear you totally! I came to be in '65, this harkens some of my earliest memories of music. It sure did pull on those ol' heart strings pretty good:)
Same
@@allenlocke1935 Yup.
I was born in 67 as well and couldn't agree more. Although this song reminds me of my Mother specifically. She was a 70s feminist Mother, working professional and gave of herself to anyone who asked. Over 500 people came to her funeral. I was so moved.
Watching young folks reacting to old popular songs they never heard of reminds me of how old these songs really are. To put it perspective 53 years before this song came out in 1969 was 1916.
These guy’s ruled the airwaves and tv in the 70s so so talented and long forgotten! They were so cool!
Funny story about your Mom waking you up with this, Lex... 🤣
At least now you know it wasn't as crazy as it seemed at the time. 😎
I hope you have fond memories every time you hear this. "Let the Sun Shine" always pops into my head when I see a nice sunrise.
This was from the musical "Hair" which came out in the late 60's or early 70's. It was met with some controversy because there was a scene where the cast was naked. I saw the play at the Aquarius Theatre in Hollywood which was near the corner of Sunset and Vine. During the naked scene, the lights were lowered so things were more shadows than stark images but the cast started crawling over the seated audience. I was afraid I was going to get slapped in the forehead with some mans genitalia. I didn't but I certainly got a good look at it all. The music from this show was great and I really enjoyed the show. A few people (rich snooty types) did get up in a huff and leave the theatre which surprised me because the nudity had been widely publicized so nobody should have been shocked. I think it was just a few of the uptight old money types being dramatic. All of this is probably more than you wanted to hear but I just thought I would share the experience that went along with this music. Thanks for your reactions.
I saw it at the Aquaris, maybe 1970-- the nudity was over-emphasized- barely happned.
@@larrystuder8543 I saw it when it first opened (opening night) 1969 or 1970, right around that time and from what I read at the time, they really toned it down after the first couple of performances. I believe police had come in and busted the show which is why they toned it down. But even so, the lights were very low so you really couldn't see much unless it was right in your face. Would you happen to be related to Margie Studer?
@@sherryheim5504 my wife is Margaret Studer, nee Keathley, formerly of Long Beach and Downey, California.
@@larrystuder8543 Not the same. Studer was the maiden name of the girl I knew. She lived in Los Angeles. Thanks for getting back to me I was thinking that it would be more than strange if there was a connection.
My parents saw Hair in NYC when it came out. Dad was more delighted with the nudity than Mom 🤣
This song I think came out in 1967, the height of the space race, new age movement and the summer of love. This song is almost an anthem for those years. It is often used in movies or tv shows to denote the late 60s.
The escalating Vietnam War was in the background of those years and these songs were something of a retort to the MIC (military industrial complex) and all senseless wars (especially the one in Vietnam at that time). The 5th Dimension (and the musical "Hair") were trying to nudge all of us into a new age of understanding (aka "The Age of Aquarius").
This song came out in 69
@@alrivers2297 Yes, this version. But the song originally came from the musical Hair, which came out in '67.
One of the most beautiful harmonies Ive ever heard! Loved it as a kid and still do!
God, do I miss this upbeat, full of love and optimism music. We live in very negative times right now
Just beautiful voices. Remember them well. It's just soft rock/soul.
The 5th Doimension towered over all the late 60's & early 70's. So many great songs & singers!!
Brad & Lex, you'll love their "Up - Up and Away", "Wedding Bell Blues" and "Stoned Cold Picnic"!!!
As well as Workin on a Groovy Thing, Last Night I Didn't get to Sleep and Carpet Man-also need to check out the Cowsills video of the song Hair.
@@gpxo11 Puppet Man...
@@mgonzales56 No I prefer Carpet Man-Puppet man was a later song -not as good.
I believe that’s Stone Soul Picnic
@@gpxo11 Wow! I thought you were pulling my leg with "Carpet Man"...but they really did sing a song called "Carpet Man". I had never heard it before. I have to disagree with you, "Puppet Man" was 100 times better, and it was a hit, whereas "Carpet Man" never saw the light of day. Just my opinion. Thanks for setting me straight.
This song was HUGE in the 70's, and in my opinion should be considered "traditional" at this point. Good to bring these types of songs to the younger generations.
The solo guy has a Wilson Pickett sound. Check out some live Wilson Pickett... he's freaking amazing! 😳🤘😎
This is one of the greatest songs of the 60's,,,superb harmony! I love The 5th Dimension!
I’m 67 years old, and this song really captures the “corporate rock” angle of the ‘60s. Optimism and vocal harmony.
I finally scored a clean copy of this album and played this bit in moments of nostalgia.
Good song!
From the hippie musical Hair???? Doubt this was corporate anything
@@donnabruhn6907 thus the quotes.
Hal and the Wrecking Crue
Whoever played bass on 'Sunshine' was really ripping it! Glory to those hippie days! Your Mom was one of the happy people, Lex.
The late great Joe Osborn of the Wrecking Crew!
@@johnhoerl7326 Yep - in The Wrecking Crew movie, there's a segment with him and he's playing that bass line solo at first then they fade in the track over top of him...
@@johnhoerl7326 it wasn't Carol Kaye?
@@jasonLJ No, it was definitely Joe Osborn
she's not that old, it came out in 1969
One of my all time favorites...in 1992 summer camp made our age group do songs of the 60s and we sang this dressed like hippies...it was awesome....
One of the biggest song of the 70s. Marilyn McCoo has the voice of an angel.
The set-up, then the transition, and then they take you to church. It's great.
Saw them live in '70 and this song went on for 10 mins. Love it!
This is the first pop song that I remember on the radio, it's still one of my favorite songs. Great group.
This song makes me happy. Glad you guys got to listen to it. It makes everyone happy. 👍❤️😃
I love the way Lex gets grooving to the music. 👍
The final scene of the movie The 40 Year Old Virgin is a must watch. The use of this song is perfect.
*** The 5th DIMENSION were a kind of "Black Pop", something that had Never really been seen before. They Charted 20 Hits in the Mid '60's & won 6 Grammys in the category of Contemmporary.
2 words Florence LaRue, beautiful and what a singer . There on summer of soul (or, when the revolution could not be televised) on Disney+. Worth checking out.
I was looking through the comments to see if anyone mentioned Summer of Soul. So many great performances and I thought Fifth Dimension's story was really nice
I remember this song, I was a little kid, but I never forgot a good song.
Dat bass doe (in let the sunshine in). Also, one of my earliest crushes as a ten year old very white boy in Maine was Marylin McCoo-Davis, the singer with the straighter hair and the moves. She's still married to the lead singer. They stepped out later as a successful duo.
funky bass was goin off
Are you in Bath?
@@chuckbeecher2099 No - I grew up in Portland through HS and now live out of state.
@@scottstewart5784 small world!!
@@chuckbeecher2099 Yup, sure is. Our kids are out of the house now, but we brought them to Maine for a week at a rental camp at least every other summer. To recreate my youth and because my whole family is still there, in greater Portland.
Marilyn, what a voice!
Great reaction!, this brings back many memories, Marilyn McCoo ( the girl in yellow ) was my first crush when I was a kid. I remember this song being on the radio for ages!. Recommend a reaction to Tower of Power "Your still a young man". Thank you! Peace! ☮
You're not the only one that had a crush on Marilyn. lol
Preach! When this song came out, I was 8 years old. I thought Marilyn McCoo was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. I had a serious crush on her. Even today, at the age of 78, she's absolutely gorgeous.
Yeah, it occurred to me watching this, that it's Marilyn McCoo that Lex kind of reminds me of. Both the ladies in this band were gorgeous.
I was so young when this came out I didn't even notice the girls but today I thought "Wow, who is that in yellow?" I do remember Marilyn McCoo now & yep, had a crush on her years later. Didn't know this was her back inn the 60s.
I didn’t know that was Marilyn McCoo! I also had a crush on her. But from Solid Gold.
He sounds like a southern deacon/pastor preaching at the end of let the sunshine in
Saw the original performance of Hair in NYC. I was 15 and was blown away. The 5th Dimension always made you feel good.
Finally we discover how Lex became so musically attuned; her mum busting into her room every morning and performing 5th Dimension a cappella.
Lex's "Let the Sunshine in" story had me laughing out loud.
I love the 5th Dimension. Their music was ecstatic, and all of them had excellent voices. Top it off with two very cute ladies.
With JFK's, MLK's, and RFK's assassinations all in the 60s, it was tumultuous times for sure. Songs like this tried to find the better in all of us.
The better is within you to find!
Yes indeed. Context is important. Vietnam, counter culture/ hippie movement in full swing.
I’m 81 yrs old. When this song came out, many really bad things were happening; war, great civil unrest, people at each others throat, in many cases, anger and distrust between generations. The feeling was bad all around (like now). This song is so hopeful and joyous that we felt relief and had some hope that things might get better. There’s hope for us here.
The bass on Let the Sunshine In is one of the best ever in a pop song!
Blows me away every time. Joe Osborn (Wrecking Crew) was sensational.
Aquarius- the new age of peace and love we beleived in. How naive we were.
Always loved this group. Marilyn McCoo has a wonderful voice and is so beautiful. She and Billy Davis have been married for 50'ish years. I had a teenager crush on her back then, These are the opening and closing numbers from "Hair".
Just love lex's reaction.
Yep!
Just love Lex. 💖👍
freckles oops
It didn’t matter what style of music it was, everything from the 60’s and 70’s was brilliant!!
How can anyone NOT like this!!! such a feel good song....
We had such great music back then. It's one of the big influences on how we felt back then towards each other. I wish this generation had feel good music like that now. Society would be a lot better off as far as the way people treat each other nowadays.
One of the best vocal ensemble performances on a pop record ever.
This is from the play, HAIR, which was huge and produced 4-5 big pop hits. Everybody had the soundtrack album. The Fifth Dimension was about the biggest hottest act around in 1967-9. They had a string of big hits and Marilyn McCoo had a solo hit that is a classic with One Less Bell to Answer. She sounded as beautiful as she looked.
The age of Aquarius time of peace and harmony so let the sunshine in ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Back when music had love meaning fulfillment peaceful harmonizing it's just beautiful
"One Less Bell to Answer" is another great song by the Fifth Dimension (among many). Check it out.
Written by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David. Hal David arrived early at Bacharach’s home for dinner and sat down with pen and paper mulling over new music Burt composed. Burt’s then wife, actress Angie Dickenson, (“Policewoman”) kept walking from the kitchen to the front door to let dinner guests in as they arrived. Hal remarks if Angie isn’t overworked continuously running back and forth and she quips ,”not at all, because with each guest I let in it’ll be one less bell to answer and one less egg to fry.” And there it is!
Hal had this eureka moment and wrote it down. Amazing how iconic lyrics originate from normal everyday banter. Much love, -Diane, Vancouver, Canada. FrJN10/22. 06:49 pm
"Life is around you and in you."
This song is iconic in the film "Hair" (1979).
🎥✌️
Which Brad and Lex should totally watch.
It's from the Broadway musical "Hair" which came out in 1968. This recording by the 5th Dimension was released in 1969 - a decade before the film you reference.
The movie was based on the Broadway musical of the same name.
Actually, it’s from the Broadway play. [ 1968].
Lex your uplifting personality is probably because Mom always sang "Let the sunshine in"
You must watch "Summer of Soul"! Great colorful performance by the Fifth dimension
Music at that time tended to be for and from the heart and crown chakras, as exemplified by this most groovy of anthems. We thirst for it today, our desert is so parched.
There is a great clip from the movie "Hair" with this song playing, as hippie dancers in Central Park dance to the amazing and organic choreography of Ms. Twyla Tharp.
you're so right our desert IS parched'
Yes -- I just recommended to Brad & Lex that they do a deep dive into HAIR -- the original theatrical experience rather than the movie -- but to START with the opening of the MOVIE - which has an incredible rendition of AQUARIUS truly gives you the whole spirit of the piece, and does it stupendously. LOVE Twarp's choreography and her beautiful dancers in that 5to7 minutes of film, as well as that incredible singer!!
@@Kairon111161 Who was that beautiful, flower-garlanded singer, the camera kept spinning around? What a voice indeed! I need the see the theatrical version. I heard they got nekkid! :)
@@MisterWondrous That was Renn Woods -- I've seen her in a few other things -- ROOTS on TV and CAROLINE, OR CHANGE on Broadway. But she really never got the exposure she deserved. Here's her wikipedia entry:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renn_Woods
@@MisterWondrous And YES -- you've got to see it as LIVE THEATER -- as it was originally intended. It's life-altering.
The 5th Dimension became a mainstay of what became known in the seventies as "easy listening" music. It was a radio station format for several years. They were perhaps best known for this song, their version of the era defining song "Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In" adapted from the rock and roll musical Hair. Some of their other hits include "Up, Up and Away", "One Less Bell To Answer", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "Never My Love", and "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". They were a big deal back then. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. were the first African American married couple to host a network television series, The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show, in summer 1977. I remember watching a few episodes of it as a kid. And look at you two with your show today. Amazing! We've come a long way, baby, as they used to say...
This song never fails to lift my spirit. I’ve loved it since I was 5 years old.
That bass player is he real hero.
Age of Aquarius was the opening number from Hair, and Let The Sunshine In which, actually, was titled The Flesh Failures, was the play's closing number. Hair itself, was about non-conformity in an era when young men were expected to conform, and accept the Vietnam War Draft.
I remember growing up watching shows like this in the Hippee years - and when we only had 3 channels, so we all knew it was on. Fun flashback. Fun reaction. I enjoy watching you two.
So much of the music of the day revolved around peace, love, stop the hate, stop the war, let's just get along etc. Seems like we need some of that today...
The quintessential 60’s hippy song!
This song is from the musical Hair. We performed the music in my band class in Junior High School and it was my favorite piece because I played the baritone horn and we had the best part to play, the brass bass sound. In the late 60's and early 70's, astrology, sun signs, and horoscope stuff was very popular.
Beautiful people. Beautiful voices. Beautiful song. Number 1 in the U.S. for six weeks in 1969, number 1 in other countries that year as well. I had a big crush on Marilyn McCoo back in the day. She is so pretty. Ah, the good old days.
This song is also the end credits scene in “40 Year Old Virgin”
You can't help but feel good after listening to this song
The lead singer is Billie Davis Jr. the one in yellow is his wife Marylin Mccoo. This song is from the play Hair back in the 60s.
They both look as fabulous today as they did then
@@AllieJ123 yup, they were on Professor Of Rock earlier this year.
@@AllieJ123 and they are still together
Yes. I love his channel too
The 5th Dimension--underrated! They had some great songs....this is quintessential 60's music. Love will steer the stars....
You should watch the "Summer of Soul" documentary. They perform this, and there are also interviews. Lots of other amazing artists of the era too, all performing live in a park in Harlem in the late 60s.
Amazing talent in that band. Seeing them perform in Summer of Soul was a special treat, as was that entire film.
I always feel some positivity when I hear this music, like the world could be a better place than it is.
I was under 10 years old when this was on the radio, and for me, this song is all about the feeling it gave me. It is all about hope and the future….hearing songs like this was so positive…..and made me feel so lucky to be alive in such a wonderful world. Young kids didn’t get exposed to sad or negative themes…..we had no idea there were wars, or guns etc…..this song reminds me of my innocent childhood. I just feel sad that today’s children don’t get to live in the magical world we grew up in.
PSS: Beautiful reaction to this, by the way! I actually wept, Lexi's face really registers every chord change, the melody, the lyrics, the nuances....it was really touching. And then to hear the story about her mom waking her up with this song, and dancing these exact dances, I LOVED THAT!!! These TV appearances of 60s artists lip-syncing to their records can often look corny and "distract" from the sound and the song. Happy that didn't happen with this particular video! Usually I prefer no visuals unless they're actually playing live.
Timeless classic always loved The 5th Dimension they had a lot of big hits back at this time....👌👌
Whole new appreciation for momma Lexi waking Lexi up with this song
When I was 5 yrs old in 1971, this song made me notice music in general. I loved it and would dance around like crazy. 50 yrs later, it still is one of my all time faves! Gorgeous voices, positive song ❤🙏
That is such a lovely story, that your mama used to sing this haha. That's hilarious and sweet.
How can you NOT feel happy and content after listening to this!? One of my all time favorites.
Feel good 😊 music 🎶 with a positive message. We need more music like this today
the girl in the yellow is marilyn mccoo she was a host on solid gold hits in the 80's the male lead singer is billy davis and the two are married to this very day !
You guys are so great and uplifting. You make me smile every single time I watch you. Love your reactions. Peace and blessings to you.
Became a sort of anthem of the closing of the 1960's in 1969. in Spring 1970 in junior high, we did it in choir. Kids were dancing in the aisles and singing, I was up on stage with the little band playing guitar. Bass player dropped his guitar strap before we started, he bent over to pick it up and sipped his pants in the middle seam lol. H announced to the whole audience he ripped his pants. The audience let out a big laugh, the choir teacher was at the piano laughing. We knew we couldn't mess this song up now, it was a big laugh. Our choir teacher was so hip to "our music" she was about 30 years old. Unfortunately 10 years or so later she died in a plane crash. i found out years later after that, and as an adult when I found out I balled my eyes out. I'll never forget her. she also taught beginning band [trumpet for me]...I became a music teacher because of teachers like her.
Such a cool tune that captures the time so well... Glad you guys did this one!
Born in 1966. Grew up listening to this band. My mom said I loved this band & Three Dog Night the best cause I would just go crazy when their music came on the radio. Having said that, I remember Marilyn McCoo (the lady in yellow) & Dionne Warwick as staples on "Solid Gold". Look it up.
This was one of my favorite albums...in 1970...yep I was 8. Didn't hurt that my zodiac is Aquarius. So I thought this was my song. BTW the Age of Aquarius begins in the year 2150 AD/CE, so no we are not in that Age, currently we are in Pisces.
As a kid, I remember Marilyn from Solid Gold!