Date: Nov 8, 1969
Weeks: 3
Before Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. sang a song from the perspective of a married couple, she sang lead on this song, which really surprised me. Considering I didn't like that song, and I only sort of liked parts of the last 5th Dimension song I covered, I didn't have a lot of hope for this one. But I really like it quite a bit.
I just enjoy the overall sound. There's a classic, classy sound to the music here. I think the focus on piano, with drums, bass, and some horn and string accents, creates an appealingly charming sound. It's energetic and upbeat. I often complain that so many songs in the 70s use so many instruments to create so little sound. This is my counter-example. It uses many of the same instruments that are so popular in 70s pop music, but it uses them to create a full, complete, engaging sound. This is a cover of an earlier song by the songwriter, Laura Nyro, and there was also a cover by Lesley Gore. But both those versions lack the fullness of sound that is present in this version.
Marilyn McCoo really sells this song, too. She belts this one out with enthusiasm, possibly because the song had a bit of a personal meaning to her, since she was engaged to, but not yet married to, Billy Davis at the time. They even had fun with this during TV performances of the song. I think she also captures the right spirit of the lyrics.
The lyrics surprised me a bit, because rarely in pop songs do the singers call out the name of the person the love song is about. Sure, once in a while you'll get a "Sherry" (#78) or a "Sara" (#591), but those are deliberately reflected in the title. I think this song says the name "Bill" more times than either of those, too. Regardless, the singer is trying to figure out if Bill is ready to commit to marriage. And I like the sentiment. She's getting fed up with waiting, and she doesn't want to give up on Bill, but she wants to know if he's going to make the commitment. I suppose you can have your own interpretation of what she'll do if he says no or tries to string her along further. Personally, McCoo's performance makes me think she's going to drop him and move on.
My verdict: Like it. It's charming and energetic, what's not to like?
Showing posts with label The 5th Dimension. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The 5th Dimension. Show all posts
Monday, April 23, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Song #214: "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" by The 5th Dimension
Date: Apr 12, 1969
Weeks: 6
So this is a medley of two songs from the musical Hair, and for some reason I don't think I'd ever heard them together before. They are two distinctive songs that, other than having a similar aesthetic, don't seem to blend together very well.
The "Aquarius" segment is particularly kitschy. It's all about astrology, "mystic crystal revelation," and peace and love. Apparently the "Age of Aquarius" has to do with which zodiac constellation the sun is located in on the vernal equinox. The precession of various celestial bodies causes this to change every 2100 years or so. Depending on the interpretation of the boundary between constellations, the changeover from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius could be anywhere from the 20th century to the 27th century. If I understand right, this is the etymology of the phrase "New Age." The point, as far as this song is concerned, is that there was a belief that the change from one age to another might usher in a new age of world peace, and so this part of the song celebrates that.
I don't really care for the oddly minor-key overtones through this part of the song. I think it's aiming for a "cosmic" sound, but it just comes off echo-y and like it's trying to come across as more grand than it actually is. I actually kind of like the chaotic guitar stuff happening otherwise.
The second half, "Let The Sunshine In" works much better. I actually really enjoy this part of the song. The bass line proceeds in an intriguing way, the horns punctuate at just the right times, and the overall sound is appealing. The chorus harmonizes and the lead singer scats along in a compelling way. The weakness of this part is that there's not a lot of variety to maintain interest for the length of time it lasts. But the overall sound is too appealing to deny.
My verdict: Like it. I didn't think I would when I started it, but I liked the "Aquarius" part more on repeated listens, and I liked the "Sunshine" part from the get go.
Weeks: 6
So this is a medley of two songs from the musical Hair, and for some reason I don't think I'd ever heard them together before. They are two distinctive songs that, other than having a similar aesthetic, don't seem to blend together very well.
The "Aquarius" segment is particularly kitschy. It's all about astrology, "mystic crystal revelation," and peace and love. Apparently the "Age of Aquarius" has to do with which zodiac constellation the sun is located in on the vernal equinox. The precession of various celestial bodies causes this to change every 2100 years or so. Depending on the interpretation of the boundary between constellations, the changeover from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius could be anywhere from the 20th century to the 27th century. If I understand right, this is the etymology of the phrase "New Age." The point, as far as this song is concerned, is that there was a belief that the change from one age to another might usher in a new age of world peace, and so this part of the song celebrates that.
I don't really care for the oddly minor-key overtones through this part of the song. I think it's aiming for a "cosmic" sound, but it just comes off echo-y and like it's trying to come across as more grand than it actually is. I actually kind of like the chaotic guitar stuff happening otherwise.
The second half, "Let The Sunshine In" works much better. I actually really enjoy this part of the song. The bass line proceeds in an intriguing way, the horns punctuate at just the right times, and the overall sound is appealing. The chorus harmonizes and the lead singer scats along in a compelling way. The weakness of this part is that there's not a lot of variety to maintain interest for the length of time it lasts. But the overall sound is too appealing to deny.
My verdict: Like it. I didn't think I would when I started it, but I liked the "Aquarius" part more on repeated listens, and I liked the "Sunshine" part from the get go.
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