In the mid-60s, music was a collective patchwork of rock, Motown, folk, and soul. One of bands that broke through the noise was a fairly normal singing group called the 5th Dimension. The group had mass appeal in that the members were clean cut, avoided controversy, and sounded so good many radio formats could play their singles. Here are more of the best songs from the 5th Dimension…
“Wedding Bell Blues” was written by struggling artist Laura Nyro who had also written two other hits for the 5th, “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness.”
“Save the Country” is another Laura Nyro tune that attempted to make the 5th more hip as it dealt with political unrest in the early 70s.
“Go Where You Want to Go” was a brisk upbeat song of positive change release in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War protests and campus unrest. The song was originally recorded by the Mamas and Papas, but was given that trademark soulful touch that only the 5th could deliver. John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas was only too happy to collect the song writing royalties when this song sold millions of copies.
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Photo credit: Arnie Lee