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.
On The Beach
The 5th Dimension Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where the happenings are
On the beach
Baby, laying in the sand
You and me
Where the rat race and the city
And the heartbroken lovers
Try to wash away their troubles
On the beach
With you and me
On a hot summer day
Yeah, baby, at the shore
(By the sea)
Yeah, yeah
On the beach
(On the beach)
In the summertime
Where the beautiful people
Still compete
Strolling on the boardwalk
By the sea
Where the flame of love can kindle
And the marriage plans can tremble
When two enchanted lovers
Get a good look at each other
On the beach
With you and me
On a hot summer day
Yeah, baby, at the shore
(By the sea)
By the sea
And the cleanness of the air
Seem to cleanse our souls by being there
And the heartaches we once knew
With all our cares and sorrows
Won't have worry till tomorrow
On the beach
With you and me
On a hot summer day
Yeah, baby, at the shore
(By the sea)
Yeah, by the sea
(On the beach)
Yeah, yeah
(On the beach)
Strolling
On the boardwalk
The 5th Dimension's "On the Beach" is a tribute to the joys and youthful exuberance of summertime relaxation in the sun, sand, and surf. The song's lyrics transport listeners to a seaside paradise where the hustle and bustle of the city is replaced by the tranquility of the ocean's waves lapping against towering dunes as the sun beats down from a cloudless blue sky. The song is an invitation to escape the drudgery and mundanity of everyday life and embrace life's simple pleasures.
The lyrics of "On the Beach" evoke a sense of freedom, spontaneity, and unbridled joy. They paint a picture of young love and happiness, where lovers lie together in the sand, watching as the waves ebb and flow. The beach becomes a sanctuary where heartbreak and life's worries fade away as the beauty of nature abounds. The song talks of the power of the beach to cleanse one's soul, purifying the air and washing away the pain and sorrows that once weighed us down.
Line by Line Meaning
On the beach in the summertime
During the summer, spending time on the beach can be a fun and exciting occasion.
Where the happenings are
When at the beach, there is always something fun or interesting going on.
On the beach
Being on the beach is a serene and peaceful experience.
Baby, laying in the sand
Relaxing on the sand is enjoyable and calming.
You and me
Being together with someone you care about can make any moment more special.
Where the rat race and the city
The stressful and busy lifestyle in the city fades away when at the beach.
Seems to fade away to memory
The memories of a busy and stressful life in the city slowly disappear.
And the heartbroken lovers
People who have been hurt in love may come to the beach to heal their wounds.
Try to wash away their troubles
Being at the beach can help people forget their problems and find peace.
On the beach
Once again emphasizing the wonderful and peaceful experience of being on the beach.
With you and me
Being together with someone special makes this moment even better.
On a hot summer day
Summer days can get very hot but being at the beach makes it more bearable.
Yeah, baby, at the shore
Being near the water at the beach is a refreshing feeling.
(By the sea)
The sea is a powerful and captivating force.
In the summertime
Summer is a time for fun and relaxation.
Where the beautiful people
The beach is a popular spot and attracts many attractive and interesting people.
Still compete
Even at the beach, people compete for attention.
Strolling on the boardwalk
Walks on the boardwalk can be romantic and enjoyable.
By the sea
Once again emphasizing the captivating force of the sea.
Where the flame of love can kindle
The beach is a romantic spot where love can grow stronger.
And the marriage plans can tremble
Spending time at the beach can make people realize they are ready to make a lifelong commitment.
When two enchanted lovers
Being at the beach with someone special can feel magical.
Get a good look at each other
Being at the beach with someone special can make people appreciate and admire each other more.
And the cleanness of the air
The air at the beach is fresh and clean.
Seem to cleanse our souls by being there
Being at the beach can make people feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
And the heartaches we once knew
Past heartaches can become distant memories when at the beach.
With all our cares and sorrows
The beach can help people forget their worries and enjoy life.
Won't have to worry till tomorrow
Being at the beach can take people's minds off their problems and let them enjoy the present moment.
Strolling
Walking leisurely and enjoying the scenery.
On the boardwalk
The boardwalk is an iconic part of the beach experience.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing excitement and joy about being on the beach.
(On the beach)
The beach is the focal point of the song.
Contributed by Noah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.