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.
Wedding Bell Blues
The 5th Dimension Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love you so
I always will
I look at you and see
The passion eyes of May (eyes of May)
Oh, but am I ever gonna see
My wedding day? (Wedding day)
When you were losin' (when you were losin')
I'd never scheme or lie, Bill
There's been no foolin' (there's been no foolin')
But kisses and love won't carry me
'Til you marry me, Bill
I love you so
I always will
And in your voice I hear
A choir of carousels (carousels)
Oh, but am I ever gonna hear
My wedding bells? (Wedding bells)
I was the one came runnin'
When you were lonely (when you were lonely)
I haven't lived one day
Not loving you only (loving you only)
But kisses and love won't carry me
'Til you marry me, Bill
I love you so
I always will
And though devotion rules my heart
I take no bows (take no bows)
Oh, but Bill, you're never gonna
Take those wedding vows (wedding vows)
Come on, Bill
Oh, come on, Bill
Come on and marry me, Bill
I got the wedding bell blues
Please marry me, Bill
I got the wedding bell blues
Wedding bell blues
(Blues)
Marry me, Bill
I got the wedding bell blues
The 5th Dimension's song "Wedding Bell Blues" tells the story of a woman named Bill who is in love with a man named Bill. She expresses her love for him and how faithfully she has stood by his side through his tough times. However, despite everything, she is still waiting for him to propose to her and make her dreams of a wedding day come true. The repetition of the phrase "am I ever gonna see/hear my wedding day/bells" highlights her desperation and frustration, indicating that she is tired of waiting for a proposal that may never come.
The song captures the struggles of many women who find themselves in a similar situation, waiting for a man to make a commitment to them. The lyrics suggest that Bill loves the singer, but he hasn't made the final leap to proposal. Bill's hesitation may come from not being ready to take that step or fear of commitment. Nonetheless, the singer makes a plea, urging Bill to marry her as she has the "wedding bell blues".
Line by Line Meaning
Bill
The singer calls out to Bill, the subject of the song.
I love you so
The singer expresses their deep love and affection for Bill.
I always will
The singer promises to love Bill forever.
I look at you and see The passion eyes of May (eyes of May)
The artist sees passion and love in Bill's eyes, similar to the month of May which is often associated with love and relationships.
Oh, but am I ever gonna see My wedding day? (Wedding day)
The artist wonders if they will ever get to marry Bill and have their own wedding day.
I was on your side, Bill When you were losin' (when you were losin')
The singer supported Bill when he was struggling or facing difficulties.
I'd never scheme or lie, Bill There's been no foolin' (there's been no foolin')
The singer assures Bill that they have always been honest and genuine with their feelings, with no intention of tricking or deceiving him.
But kisses and love won't carry me 'Til you marry me, Bill
The artist desires a committed relationship and vows to wait until they are married to fully express their love for Bill.
And in your voice I hear A choir of carousels (carousels)
The artist associates Bill's voice with the joy and wonder of a carousel, a symbol of happiness and childhood innocence.
Oh, but am I ever gonna hear My wedding bells? (Wedding bells)
The artist wonders if they will ever get to hear the sound of their own wedding bells ringing.
I was the one came runnin' When you were lonely (when you were lonely)
The singer was there for Bill when he was feeling isolated or in need of comfort.
I haven't lived one day Not loving you only (loving you only)
The artist has always been devoted and committed to loving Bill, every day without exception.
But kisses and love won't carry me 'Til you marry me, Bill
The singer reiterates their desire for a serious, permanent commitment before fully sharing their love with Bill.
And though devotion rules my heart I take no bows (take no bows)
The singer is not boasting about their love and devotion, simply stating the facts of how they feel.
Oh, but Bill, you're never gonna Take those wedding vows (wedding vows)
The singer expresses their belief that Bill may never fully commit to marrying them, despite their love and devotion.
Come on and marry me, Bill I got the wedding bell blues
The artist pleads with Bill to marry them, as they are feeling anxious and distressed about the lack of commitment in their relationship.
Please marry me, Bill I got the wedding bell blues Wedding bell blues (Blues)
The artist repeats their request for Bill to marry them, emphasizing the sadness and worry they feel about the situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Laura Nyro
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bruce Scott
No tattoos, cheesecake outfits, profanity, sexual overtones, provocative lyrics, etc. Just a straight song with class, PERIOD!!!
mbanks156
I'll drink to that!
mothmans left wing
@titusho2 clean music? the beatles wrote about lsd and sex too. many artists of that time had all the tattoos, sexual overtones, provocative lyrics that the original commenter mentioned. and personally, i think there's nothing wrong with that. it's humanity, it's artistry, and there's nothing wrong with your art reflecting your life. i think that's how it's meant to be.
Ryan Ponder
the epitome of class
Tom Rucco
@Dolores DeMar right on sign of the times
Carol Lipton
Marilyn has an absolutely flawless voice, and delivery as smooth as silk. I loved everything about this group.
Elaine Short
Me too
hsgamj
@TONY R. beautiful woman too
Norman Roach
He has such a beautiful smile .
mgt2010fla
I would love for her and Karen Carpenter to sing together! Wonder if they did?