1) The Vogues are an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴There are multiple artists with this name:
1) The Vogues are an American vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The original lineup comprised Bill Burkette (lead baritone), Don Miller (baritone), Hugh Geyer (first tenor), and Chuck Blasko (second tenor).
They are best known for their chart-topping singles "You're The One", "Five O'Clock World", "Magic Town", and "Turn Around, Look At Me". In addition to touring the world, the group appeared on American Bandstand, The Tonight Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
The group, originally named the Val-Aires, formed in 1958 at Turtle Creek High School. They signed with Pittsburgh manager Elmer Willet, who produced their first recording release "Which One Will It Be/Launie My Love". DJ Porky Chedwick became a supporter booking the group for his rock and roll shows and record hops. Chedwick put them on bills with the Drifters, the Platters, and the Dells. Clark Race of KDKA radio promoted the group on his KDKA-TV dance show. Having strong regional sales it was picked up for national distribution by Coral Records.
After high school, several members of the group joined the Army while others went to college. A few years later with their enlistments completed and degrees in hand, they decided to record again. They pitched in $100 apiece to record a demo tape. They hired Nick Cenci, who had broken Lou Christie, to produce the recording. In 1965, Cenci produced recording sessions for the Val-Aires at Gateway Studios in Pittsburgh. The band recorded vocals for a cover of the Petula Clark song "You're The One." It was released on the band's own Blue Star label. Cenci persuaded John Rook, program director of KQV, to play the single. With local airplay and sales Cenci signed them to the Co & Ce label as the "Vogues". He had the single distributed nationally. The song became a national hit reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100. Later in 1965, Cenci produced another Vogues recording session giving the world the no. 4 Billboard hit, "Five O'Clock World".
In 1966 Co & Ce Records released the singles "Magic Town", which reached no. 21 in February, and the no. 29 "The Land of Milk and Honey". The singles "Summer Afternoon" and "Lovers Of The World Unite" were released on Co & Ce in 1967. Co & Ce leased the Vogues to Reprise Records (distributed by Warner Bros.) where they scored with cover versions of "Turn Around, Look at Me" (#7), "My Special Angel" (#7), "Till" (#27), "No, Not Much" (#34), "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" (#42), "Moments To Remember" (#47), and "Green Fields" (#92).[2]
In 1971 The Vogues signed a recording contract with Bell Records and recorded 3 songs ("Love Song", "Take Time To Tell Her", and "American Family"). 1972 saw the group release 1 song on Mainstream Records ("Need You" b/w "Greatest Show On Earth"). By 1973 The Vogues were now a trio (Burkette, Miller, and Blasko). Hugh Geyer had departed to spend time with his family. Now recording for 20th Century Records the group released 3 recordings ("My Prayer", "Wonderful Summer", and "Prisoner Of Love"). With little commercial success, these would be the last singles released by The Vogues.
By the time the 80s came around the trio (Don Miller left in 1974 and replaced by an endless list of vocalists) was doing less touring and was concentrating on Western Pennsylvania venues. Bill Burkette left in 1983, leaving only Chuck Blasko to carry on as The Vogues. At some point in the late 70s or early 80s the group's manager had trademarked the name and assets of The Vogues. He then sold the trademark to another promoter who starting booking other quartets as The Vogues. The trademark was sold several times resulting in several groups of singers claiming to be The Vogues.
In 2000, the trademark was purchased by vocalist and Pittsburgh area native Stan Elich, who eventually would make this group the true Vogues. During these years Blasko continued to perform as The Vogues, and clash with the trademark group. At one point Blasko testified in front of Congress on The Truth In Music Act. A lawsuit filed by Blasko ended with the Pennsylvania court permitting Blasko's Vogues to perform in 14 Western Pennsylvania counties and the trademark group to perform everywhere else in the world as The Vogues. Chuck Blasko's Vogues continue to perform in Western Pennsylvania.
From 2004 until 2006, original member Hugh Geyer toured with Blasko's group in the 14 Western Pennsylvania counties that Blasko's group was permitted to tour in. After creative differences with Blasko, Geyer left that group at the end of 2006.
In March 2007, Geyer joined the national touring group of The Vogues of "trademark" owner Stan Elich. Geyer continued to perform with this group until his retirement in December 2012.
In May 2008, original lead vocalist Bill Burkette joined Geyer in touring the USA with the "trademark" Vogues. The members of this group included Burkette, Geyer, group owner Stan Elich, Troy Elich, and Jim Campagna. Stan Elich died in December 2010. His son Troy now owns the trademark "The Vogues".
In 2010 The Vogues released a live album "The Vogues Sings The Hits Live" on the Desert Trax Music label. This marked the first time in 38 years that Burkette and Geyer recorded together.
The Vogues line-up, as of July 2017, was original lead singer Bill Burkette, Troy Elich, Royce Taylor, and fill in vocalist Bo Wagner. Taylor had previously been a member of The Vogues from 1991–97. Wagner is a former member of Blasko's Pittsburgh group. Current band members are Dean Mastrangelo (Lead Guitar), Artie Deleonardis (drums), JR Wright (keyboards), and Rich Gooch (bass).
The original group made many TV appearances in the 1960s, including The Tonight Show, The Ed Sullivan Show, Shindig, The Red Skelton Show, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, and several appearances on The Mike Douglas Show.
The original group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.
Original lead vocalist Bill Burkette died on March 1, 2018 at age 75.
Studio albums
Meet the Vogues (1965)
Five O'Clock World (1966)
Turn Around, Look at Me (1968)
Till (1969)
Memories (1969)
The Vogues' Greatest Hits (1970)
The Vogues Sing the Good Old Songs (1970)
Singles
Year A-side B-side
From same album as A-side except where indicated Record Catalog Number Notes US US AC AU Album
1959 "Launie, My Love" "Which One Will It Be?" Willett 114 as The VALAIRES - - - Non-album tracks
1960 "Launie, My Love" "Which One Will It Be" Coral 62177 Re-release, as The VAL-AIRES - - -
1965 "You're The One" "Some Words" (Non-album track) Blue Star B-229 - - - - Meet The Vogues
1965 "You're the one" "Some Words" (Non-album track) Co & Ce 229 Re-release 4 - 55
1965 "Five O'Clock World" "Nothing To Offer You" (from Meet The Vogues) Co & Ce 232 - 4 - 64 Five O'Clock World
1966 "Magic Town" "Humpty Dumpty" (from Five O'Clock World) Co & Ce 234 - 21 - - The Vogues' Greatest Hits
1966 "The Land Of Milk And Honey" "True Lovers" Co & Ce 238 - 29 - - Non-album tracks
1966 "Please Mr. Sun" "Don't Blame The Rain" Co & Ce 240 - 48 - -
1966 "That's The Tune" "Midnight Dreams" Co & Ce 242 - 99 - -
1967 "Summer Afternoon" "Take A Chance On Me Baby" Co & Ce 244 - - - -
1967 "Lovers Of The World Unite" "Brighter Days" Co & Ce 246 - - - -
1967 "Lovers Of The World Unite" "Brighter Days" MGM 13813 Leased by MGM - - -
1968 "Just What I've Been Lookin' For "I've Got You On My Mind" (Non-album track) Reprise 0663 - - - - The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits
1968 "Turn Around, Look At Me" "Then" Reprise 0686 - 7 3 43 Turn Around, Look At Me
1968 "My Special Angel" "I Keep It Hid" Reprise 0766 - 7 1 36
1968 "Till" "I Will" Reprise 0788 - 27 5 - Till
1969 "Woman Helping Man" "I'll Know My Love (By The Way She Talks)" Reprise 0803 - - - -
1969 "Woman Helping Man" "No, Not Much" Reprise 0803 Re-release 47/34 6/6 -
1969 "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" "P.S. I Love You" Reprise 0820 - 42 7 - Memories
1969 "Moments To Remember" "Once In A While" Reprise 0831 - 47 17 97
1969 "Green Fields" "Easy To Say" (From The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits) Reprise 0844 - 92 19 - The Vogues' Greatest Hits
1969 "See That Girl" "We Only Have Love" (Non-album track) Reprise 0856 - - 13 -
1970 "God Only Knows" "Moody" Reprise 0887 - 101 21 - The Vogues Sing The Good Old Songs and Other Hits
1970 "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye" "Over The Rainbow" (Non-album track) Reprise 0909 - 101 18 -
1970 "Theme (The Good Old Songs)" "Come Into My Arms" (From Turn Around, Look At Me) Reprise 0931 - - 27 -
1970 "Since I Don't Have You" "I Know You As A Woman" Reprise 0969 - - 8 -
1971 "Love Song" "We're On Our Way" Bell 991X - 118 23 - Non-album tracks
1971 "Take Time To Tell Her" "I'll Be With You" Bell 45,127 - - 38 -
1971 "An American Family" "Gotta Have You Back" Bell 45,158 - - - -
1973 "My Prayer" "I've Got To Learn To Live Without You" 20th Century 2041 - - 31 -
1973 "Wonderful Summer" "Guess Who" 20th Century 2060 - - 47 -
1974 "As Time Goes By" "Prisoner Of Love" 20th Century 2085 - - -/37 -
2) A Belgian band.
Five O' Clock World
The Vogues Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Up!)
Up every morning just to keep a job (up!)
I gotta fight my way through the hustling mob (up!)
Sounds of the city pounding in my brain (up!)
While another day goes down the drain (up!)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah) but it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
No-one owns a piece of my time
Thinking that the world looks fine, yeah
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
Trading my time for the pay I get (up!)
Living on money that I ain't made yet (up!)
Gotta keep goin' gotta make my way (up!)
But I live for the end of the day (up!)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah) 'cause it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
No-one owns a piece of my time
And there's a long-haired girl who waits, I know
To ease my troubled mind, yeah!
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
In the shelter of her arms everything's okay (yeah-yeah) (up!)
She talks and the world goes slipping away (it slips away) (up!)
And I know the reason I can still go on
When every other reason is gone
(Yeah, yeah, yeah) in my five o'clock world she waits for me
Nothing else matters at all
'Cause every time my baby smiles at me
I know that it's all worthwhile, yeah
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
The Vogues' Five O'Clock World presents the story of the daily life and struggle of the working class. The verses highlight the monotony of a daily routine, the challenges faced by the working class, and the hardship that comes with trading time for money. The singer wakes up early every morning to keep his job and has to force his way through the city's rat race. The lyrics suggest feelings of being trapped and unfulfilled in this lifestyle.
However, the chorus provides a glimmer of hope as the five o'clock whistle signals the end of the workday. The singer feels a sense of liberation as no one owns his time when he is off the clock, and he can be whoever he wants to be. The long-haired girl mentioned in the second verse is waiting for the singer, providing him with a source of comfort, and making everything okay. The singer knows that in her arms, he can forget about the problems of the world and be himself, and it is all worthwhile.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the daily struggles of the working class, the desire for freedom, and the importance of having someone who loves and supports you, which makes everything worthwhile.
Line by Line Meaning
Up every morning just to keep a job (up!)
I wake up every day just to maintain my employment, and it requires a lot of effort and determination.
I gotta fight my way through the hustling mob (up!)
There are numerous obstacles and challenges I face every day while trying to make my way through the busy and crowded streets.
Sounds of the city pounding in my brain (up!)
The noise and chaos of the urban environment can be overwhelming and stressful.
While another day goes down the drain (up!)
Despite my best efforts, it feels like another day passes me by without any significant progress or accomplishment.
But it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
No-one owns a piece of my time
And there's a five o'clock me inside my clothes
Thinking that the world looks fine, yeah
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
When my workday ends at five o'clock, I regain control of my time and life. It feels liberating knowing that no one else can dictate how I spend that remaining free time, and I feel content and optimistic about the world around me.
Trading my time for the pay I get (up!)
Living on money that I ain't made yet (up!)
Gotta keep goin' gotta make my way (up!)
But I live for the end of the day (up!)
I am essentially selling my time and energy for a paycheck that I have yet to receive. It can be tough to keep going, but I do it anyway with the hope that I can eventually achieve my goals. Nonetheless, I eagerly anticipate the end of the workday when I can finally relax and unwind.
'Cause it's a five o'clock world when the whistle blows
No-one owns a piece of my time
And there's a long-haired girl who waits, I know
To ease my troubled mind, yeah!
I keep reminding myself that at five o'clock, my time is my own again. Additionally, I know that there is someone who cares for me and wants to help alleviate the stress and tension that I experience on a daily basis.
In the shelter of her arms everything's okay (yeah-yeah) (up!)
She talks and the world goes slipping away (it slips away) (up!)
And I know the reason I can still go on
When every other reason is gone
When I am with my partner, everything feels right in the world, and I can forget about my problems and stressors. Her presence alone is enough to provide me with the motivation and strength to face the challenges of the day.
In my five o'clock world she waits for me
Nothing else matters at all
'Cause every time my baby smiles at me
I know that it's all worthwhile, yeah
A-da-lay-ee-ee (up, up, up!)
Knowing that my partner is there for me at the end of the day makes everything else that I endure worth it. Her smile reminds me that despite the hardships, there are still moments of joy and love to be found in the world.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ALLEN REYNOLDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@GaryAa56
I glad I can say I'm old enough to remember this song on a transistor radio!
@MarkC56
Ditto!
@sroevukasroevuka
Came out year before i was born. Great so g love the cassic music from the 60s70s80s etc.
@lokisan100
Me too!
@johndavid8815
Me too
@dannyb9140
Right there with you guys.
@bobstark8749
I'm glad I stopped by to listen. This is part of the soundtrack of my youth. Thanks for sharing!
@belvinsweatt1274
One of the best songs of the 60’s
@bobwilliams6018
Yes it is
@johnleonard4166
One of the best songs.