The 5th Dimension, Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 11^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2023), we recollect and reflect on “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” by The 5^th Dimension. 

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 11^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2023), we recollect and reflect on 🎵 “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In”, performed by 🎙 The 5^th Dimension. 

“This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius!” Two-part songs are commonplace in the 2020s, particularly in hip-hop/rap.  They are not brand-new, however.  In 1969, 🏆 Grammy-winning soul collective, 🎙 The 5^th Dimension, impressed with two-parter for the ages: 🎵 “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”.  Neither parts of the song were original to the group; both are covers.  Where do these songs originate? A controversial and explicit 1960s musical called Hair, which was a BIG DEAL.  The 5^th Dimension took these two songs from this musical and turned them into one of the biggest hits of all time.  “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks, spending a total of 17 weeks on the chart.  Furthermore, the record won the collective two Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Contemporary Vocal Performance By A Group.  Their album, 💿 The Age of Aquarius, was also nominated for the most highly coveted Grammy, Album of the Year.

“Harmony and understanding

Sympathy and trust abounding

No more falsehoods or derisions

Golden living dreams of visions.”

“Aquarius” arrives first, in all its lush, hippie, and psychedelic glory.  Take one listen and this record is like NOTHING you’ve ever heard (at least, at the time), from a soul collective.  The production and orchestration – horns, strings, and the rhythm section – are stunning.  The voices are picturesque in timbre – electrifying, and playful.  The harmonies are angelic; utterly celestial.  Arguably, “Let The Sunshine In” is the crème de la crème with its repetitive lyrics, and even livelier vibe. “Sunshine” is more driving, energy, and soulful, running slightly longer than “Aquarius.” Even with the repetitive lyrics, “Let The Sunshine In” is a song that you don’t want to end in the least.  Even well into the 2020s, 🎵 “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In” is a truly refreshing listen.

🎙 The 5^th Dimension • 💿 The Age of Aquarius • 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment • 📅 1969

The 5^th Dimension, “Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In”: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 11 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner, John Alan Sperry, PIRO, The Musical Hype, Pixabay]