We remember May 1969.
I was growing up and enjoying The Fifth Dimension.
The 5D were Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson, Billy Davis, Jr, Florence LaRue and the amazing Marilyn McCoo.
They had a crisp and elegant sound. They recorded some wonderful albums and songs. They had huge hits like "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "One Less Bell to Answer" and "Up, Up and Away".
Most of all, they had Marilyn McCoo's lead vocals!
What teen boy didn't think that Marilyn McCoo was good looking anyway? I did!
"Aquarius/Let the sunshine in" was the group's biggest hit. It was one of the biggest hits of 1969:
"When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Oh, let it shine, c'mon
Now everybody just sing along
Let the sun shine in
Open up your heart and let it shine on in
When you are lonely, let it shine on
Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in
And when you feel like you've been mistreated
And your friends turn away
Just open your heart, and shine it on in"
In the mid-1970's, Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo enjoyed a lot of success as a husband-wife singing duo. My favorite tune was "You don't have to be a star":
"You can come as you are With just your heart
And I'll take you in though You're rejected and hurt
To me you're worth
Girl, what you have within.
Oh honey, boy
I don't need no superstar
Cause I'll accept you as you are
You won't be denied Cause I'm satisfied
With the love that you can inspire
You don't have to be a star, baby To be in my show
Oh, honey You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
Somebody nobody knows Could steal the tune that you want to hear
So stop your running around
Cause now you've found what was cloudy is clear
Oh honey, there'll be no cheering from the crowds
Just two hearts beating out loud
There'll be no parade
No tv or stage
Only me till your dying day
You don't have to be a star, baby To be in my show
Oh, honey You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
Don't think your star has to shine
For me to find out where you're coming from
Oh honey, girl, what is a beauty queen
If it don't mean that I'm number one?
I don't need no superstar
Cause I'll accept you as you are.
You won't be denied
Cause I'm satisfied
With the love that you can inspire.
You don't have to be a star, baby, To be in my show;
Oh, honey,You don't have to be a star, baby,
To be in my show.
You don't have to be a star, baby"
