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Up Up And Away Song Wikiwand

Emily Johnson
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up up and away song wikiwand

First recorded by The Sunshine Company (1967). Hit versions by The 5th Dimension (US #7/MOR #9/CAN #1/AUS #1 1967), Johnny Mann Singers (UK #6 1967). From the liner notes to The Best of the Sunshine Company: “The Sunshine Company’s very name summons the spirit of the mini-genre of 1960s pop-rock that, long after its heyday, was named Sunshine Pop. So does their music, with the requisite exquisite multi-part male-female harmonies, buoyant optimism, and luxuriant late-1960s L.A. studio production … a brief career that whisked them through the orbits of the Carpenters, the 5th Dimension, Jackson Browne, the Jefferson Airplane, Mary McCaslin, and John Davidson, ending at the even unlikelier destination...

“After a club gig in Tustin, [California,] Nitty Gritty Dirt Band manager Bill McEuen (brother of the Dirt Band’s John McEuen) went backstage and offered the future Sunshine Company members a chance to record... Though they had no recording aspirations, they gave it a go, putting their vocals on top of a backing track that had already been recorded for the tune. The song was ‘Up, Up and Away’ [written by Jimmy Webb]. “The Sunshine Company’s version was recorded in early 1967 and put on their first LP, Happy Is the Sunshine. ‘Up, Up and Away’ might have been released as their first single had the Fifth Dimension not released their own version in May, just before ‘Happy’ was to hit the stores. Producer Joe Saraceno [called] them the ‘most talented group I’ve ever worked with or seen,’ [and] puts a lot of blame on their failure to go further on the record company politics that had...

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.

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First Recorded By The Sunshine Company (1967). Hit Versions By

First recorded by The Sunshine Company (1967). Hit versions by The 5th Dimension (US #7/MOR #9/CAN #1/AUS #1 1967), Johnny Mann Singers (UK #6 1967). From the liner notes to The Best of the Sunshine Company: “The Sunshine Company’s very name summons the spirit of the mini-genre of 1960s pop-rock that, long after its heyday, was named Sunshine Pop. So does their music, with the requisite exquisite ...

“After A Club Gig In Tustin, [California,] Nitty Gritty Dirt

“After a club gig in Tustin, [California,] Nitty Gritty Dirt Band manager Bill McEuen (brother of the Dirt Band’s John McEuen) went backstage and offered the future Sunshine Company members a chance to record... Though they had no recording aspirations, they gave it a go, putting their vocals on top of a backing track that had already been recorded for the tune. The song was ‘Up, Up and Away’ [wri...

This Week We’re Celebrating The Genius Of Legendary Songwriter Jimmy

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 surpr...

Johnny Rivers, Who Founded The Group’s Record Label, Soul City

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...

Jimmy Said It Took Him About 40 Minutes To Write

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 Dime...