Up Up And Away By The 5th Dimension Songfacts

Emily Johnson

-Mar 11, 2026, 11:46 PM

up up and away by the 5th dimension songfacts

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"Up, Up and Away" is a 1967 song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded (as "Up–Up and Away") by US soul-pop act the 5th Dimension with backing from members of The Wrecking Crew.[2] Their... 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 in July 1967 and no. 9 on its Easy Listening chart,[3] and number one in both Canada and Australia. In 1999, Webb's song placed 43 on BMI's "Top 100 Songs of the Century".[4] A canonical example of sunshine pop, themed around images of hot air ballooning, it cleaned up at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards in 1968, winning for Record of the Year, Song of the Year,... The five Grammy wins was a standalone record for most Grammys received by a single song until 2025 when Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" tied it at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.

In 2003, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[5] The musical backing was dominated by members of The Wrecking Crew,[6] including trumpeter Tony Terran.[citation needed] According to the AFM contract sheet, the following musicians laid down the initial instrumental track on February 22, 1967:[7] Two other session players featuring prominently in the final mix were Al Casey (acoustic guitar) and Bud Shank (piccolo).[8] You need to be signed in to add this song to favorites. "Up Up and Away" by The 5th Dimension is a timeless song that conveys a sense of wonder, freedom, and the boundless possibilities of love.

The recurring theme of a "beautiful balloon" serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the song. The balloon symbolizes a vehicle of escapism and a means to transcend the ordinary, taking the listener on a journey through the skies. This represents the idea of escaping the mundane aspects of life and entering a realm where love and dreams can flourish without limitations. The lyrics also emphasize the shared experience between two individuals, inviting the listener to imagine floating among the stars "together, you and I." This highlights the idea of unity, companionship, and the strength of... The phrase "we can fly" is not just about physical flight but also symbolizes the soaring emotions that love can evoke, elevating one's spirit and perspective. The song also touches on the concept of a world transformed when seen from the vantage point of the beautiful balloon.

It suggests that love has the power to make the world a more beautiful and welcoming place, changing one's perception of reality. The "nicer face" and "silver sky" imagery accentuate the idea of seeing the world through a different, more positive lens when in the presence of love. As the lyrics progress, the song introduces a sense of adventure and discovery, where the couple embarks on a journey to find a star to guide them. This represents the pursuit of dreams and the desire to explore the unknown, guided by the power of love. The notion of hiding behind a cloud and keeping the moon beside them alludes to the idea of finding refuge and comfort in each other's love, even in challenging times. This week we’re celebrating the genius of legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb, starting with his first big hit, “Up, Up, and Away.” Recorded by the 5th Dimension, this single was released in February of 1967...

“Up, Up and Away” won an astonishing six Grammy Awards: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Performance by a Vocal Group,... Not surprisingly, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. The recording of “Up, Up and Away” featured the cream of the L.A. studio scene, all put together by producer Bones Howe. In addition to the shiny vocals of the 5th Dimension, the track included Wrecking Crew members Hal Blaine on drums, Joe Osborn on bass, Tommy Tedesco on guitar, and composer Jimmy Webb hisself on... Johnny Rivers, who founded the group’s record label, Soul City Records, pitched in on guitar.

But the main thing here is Jimmy Webb’s brilliant songwriting, even on what appears to be a lightweight ode to hot air ballooning—which, in fact, it was. Jimmy was in Hollywood at the time, plugging some songs, when he dropped by a remote from radio station KMEN-AM at a local hot dog stand. They had a hot air balloon tethered there and Jimmy and DJ William F. Williams got into it. As they approached the balloon, Williams off-handedly remarked to his friend, “Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?” Williams also jokingly suggested that the two of them make one of those teen... Jimmy said it took him about 40 minutes to write the song.

Interestingly, the 5th Dimension weren’t the first artists to record “Up, Up and Away.” The first recording of the tune was by a an L.A. group called the Sunshine Company, but it failed to chart. Actress Linda Kaye Henning also recorded a version that was later included on the album, The Girls of Petticoat Junction. But it was the 5th Dimension version that was the winner. "Up, Up and Away" is a whimsical and uplifting song that celebrates the power of imagination and the freedom to escape from the mundane reality of life. The lyrics invite the listener to join the singer in their beautiful balloon and float among the stars together.

The balloon becomes a symbol of hope and a gateway to a better, more pleasant world. By soaring above the troubles and worries of everyday life, the song suggests that happiness can be found in pursuing dreams and embracing a sense of adventure. The repeated refrain of "we can fly" reinforces the idea that there are no limits to what can be achieved when one's spirit is uplifted. The lyrics also hint at the possibility of finding love and companionship in the sky. The singer suggests that if someone finds themselves loving them, they will find a cloud to hide them, keeping their relationship private and protected. The notion of love waiting in the beautiful balloon emphasizes the idea that love can be found in unexpected places and situations.

The imagery of chasing dreams across the sky while holding hands captures the essence of a romantic and adventurous journey shared by two people deeply in love. Overall, "Up, Up and Away" encourages listeners to embrace their dreams, to seek happiness and love beyond the confines of everyday life, and to find solace and peace in the vastness of the sky. It offers a message of hope, escapism, and the power of imagination, reminding us that we can rise above our troubles and find beauty in the most unexpected places. Up – Up and Away is the debut album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in April 1967.[3] The title track was released as a single and became a major pop... The group's first single release on Soul City Records, "Train Keep On Moving/I'll Be Loving You Forever" was not a success, and is not included in the album. Both songs appear as bonus tracks on a later CD reissue of the album.

The first single released from this album, "Go Where You Wanna Go", was initially recorded by the Mamas & the Papas and appears on their first album. The 5th Dimension's version became a top 20 hit in the US, reaching No. 16. The group's second release, "Another Day, Another Heartache", also charted, peaking at No. 45. It was their third release, the ubiquitous "Up, Up and Away", that launched both the group and the song's writer, Jimmy Webb, into super-stardom.

The group and the song amassed a total of five different Grammy Awards between them in 1968. Many different artists have since recorded versions of the song. The group appeared on many television shows of the day, including The Hollywood Palace, Shebang, and particularly The Ed Sullivan Show, where they became a favorite of the host. Performances exist of several of the album's songs from these myriad shows, including "Go Where You Wanna Go", "Another Day, Another Heartache", "Pattern People", "California My Way", and the title track of the album.

Up Up And Away By The 5th Dimension Songfacts

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