They are best-known during the late 1960s and early 1970s for popularizing the hits "Up, Up and Away", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", "One Less Bell to Answer", "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All", and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In", as well as the eponymous 5th Dimension and The Magic Garden LP recordings.
The five original members were Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson. They have recorded for several different labels over their long careers. Their first work appeared on the Soul City label, which was started by Imperial Records/United Artists Records recording artist Johnny Rivers. The group would later record for Bell/Arista Records, ABC Records, and Motown Records.
Some of the songwriters popularized by The 5th Dimension later went on to careers of their own, especially Ashford & Simpson, who wrote "California Soul". The group is also notable for having more success with the songs of Laura Nyro than Nyro did herself, particularly in the cases of "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoned Soul Picnic", and "Save the Country" The group also covered music by well known songwriters such as the song "One Less Bell to Answer", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. And perhaps best of all, they became great interpreters of the songs and music of Jimmy Webb, who penned their original mega-hit "Up, Up, and Away", including an entire recording of memorable Webb songs called The Magic Garden.
Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In
The 5th Dimension Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
When the moon (when the moon) is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter (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
Aquarius
Aquarius
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in
The sun shine in
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (oh, let it shine)
(Come on) the sun shine in (now everybody just sing along)
Let the sunshine (and let the sun shine on in), let the sun shine in
(Open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on you)
(And when you lonely) let the sunshine (hey, let it shine), let the sun shine in
(You gotta open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on in)
(And when you feel like you been mistreated)
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (and your friends turn their backs upon ya)
(Just open up your heart) the sun shine in (let it shine on in)
(You got to feel it) let the sunshine (you got to feel it), let the sun shine in
(Oh, open up your heart) the sun shine in (and let it shine on in)
(Now, let me tell you one thing)
Let the sunshine, let the sun shine in (I want you to sing along with the 5th dimension)
(Hey, and open up your heart) the sun shine in (oh c'mon)
Let the sunshine (and let it shine), let the sun shine in
(Glory day) the sun shine in
(Hey, you got to feel it) let the sunshine (you got to feel it), let the sun shine in
(When you open up your heart) the sun shine in (you got to let the sun come on in)
(Now I say, in the morning) let the sunshine, (late in the evening), let the sun shine in
(Open up your heart) the sun shine in
(Hey, when you're feeling low) let the sunshine
The lyrics to The 5th Dimension's "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" are full of optimism and hope for a new era of peace, love, and understanding. The first verse alludes to the alignment of the planets Jupiter and Mars with the moon in the Seventh House of astrology. This rare planetary event is believed to signal a time of harmony and new beginnings. The lyrics imply that this alignment will bring about a new age of humanity, one in which peace and love are the guiding forces that steer both the planets and the stars. This new age is called the Age of Aquarius, which is also the title of the song.
The second verse describes the vision of the Age of Aquarius in more detail. It speaks of harmony, understanding, and trust, as well as the absence of falsehoods and derisions. The lyrics evoke the image of a world filled with golden living dreams of visions and mystic crystal revelations. The Age of Aquarius is also seen as a time of liberation for the mind, where people can free themselves from limiting beliefs and see the world in a new light.
The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the significance of the alignment of Jupiter, Mars, and the moon. However, the chorus then takes a more optimistic turn, singing of the sun and its power to bring light and warmth to the world. The final "Let the Sunshine In" segment encourages listeners to open up their hearts and let the light of love and hope shine in, even in the face of mistreatment and rejection.
Line by Line Meaning
When the moon is in the Seventh House
When the moon is in the position of spiritual harmony
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
And the planet Jupiter is in alignment with the planet Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
Then a sense of peacefulness and harmony will guide the universe
And love will steer the stars
And a sense of love and compassion will direct the movements of the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
This is the beginning of a new era in human spiritual evolution
Age of Aquarius
The era that is marked by the influence of the constellation Aquarius
Aquarius
The astrological sign that is associated with enlightenment and spirituality
Harmony and understanding
A sense of peaceful unity and mutual comprehension
Sympathy and trust abounding
A surplus of compassion and confidence in one another
No more falsehoods or derisions
No more lies or ridicule
Golden living dreams of visions
Bright and uplifting aspirations and hopes for the future
Mystic crystal revelation
Profound spiritual enlightenment
And the mind's true liberation
And the unlocking of one's true potential and freedom of thought
Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in
Let the light of positivity and hope shine into your life
Oh, let it shine, c'mon
Oh, don't hold back, let the light shine brightly
Now everybody just sing along
Get everyone involved in spreading joy and happiness
Open up your heart and let it shine on in
Allow yourself to be open and receptive to positivity and warmth
When you are lonely, let it shine on
When you feel isolated or alone, allow the light to fill that void
Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in
It's essential to be receptive and open to positivity and love
And when you feel like you've been mistreated
And when you feel like others have treated you unfairly
And your friends turn away
And even those closest to you might distance themselves
Just open your heart, and shine it on in
It's important to remain open to positivity and hope, even in difficult times
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Galt MacDermot
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Portal Rio Negรณcios
O baixo dessa mรบsica รฉ espetacular !!!
Diahann Stevens
That bass thumps ๐ธ
Thomas Manning
I was at Fort Ord, March of 1969. the war was raging. The 1960s were amazing. I had to get my head right so I quit high school and joined the army. (A parent could sign for you back then and the war needed lots of fresh blood) Anyway, I was standing in formation when I first heard this. It was different. It was special. It described the age we lived in. It was holy. It played often and the more I heard it the more I loved it. It's a bookmark in my life and I'm glad I went through all of that. This music helped us. So much great music then!
NOHOMO
The music was raising our frequency back then and was very evident especially amongst melanin rich people. Then the evil ones threw their agenda into 6th gear and began to literally war against the people in myriad ways but the number one weapon was the music and hollywood. now we are successfully awakening thanks to the powerful energy of this planet.
VimVinyl
reading that while listening to this song gave me goosebumps. thank you for your service and stopping the spread of communism
Jwhizzy
Dude, was great? Nah, it still slaps
Nani Arkana
@VimVinyl lol, that's what the age of aquarius is for you...? Dear, it has just begun! 50 years aren't much
Nani Arkana
@VimVinyl and by the way. Usa lost the war
sogainesjr
I cannot get enough of this song!
Jerry Leyva
Love it!! Great mix!