The Fifth Dimension "Paper Cup"

The Fifth Dimension "Paper Cup".mov
Written By Jimmy Webb

Comments

[mark]

I love this! Somewhere between the wooden dancesteps and cheesy Jim Webb songs I always found myself asking the question- who exactly were the 5th Dimension aimed at? I suppose middle-aged white america, dipping a cautious toe into the counter-culture of late sixties safe in the knowledge these were in fact nice non-radical black people ready to entertain the masses......I`m sorry. They`re really great- it`s just I get so political sometimes. Keep up the good work Spike and post more Alex Chilton please!
Mark.

[Cowicide]

I love how the singer on the right has her outfit split down the middle between red and black. It means something; I'm just not sure what.

[Vatican Lokey]

The singer with the split dress is Marilyn McCoo, who later went on to do a lot of daytime television, some guest shots on "Love Boat" and some other anthology shows from the 70's and 80's, before landing her last substantial job as the second (and more permanent) host of "Solid Gold" in syndication.

I remember this song, though not this particular appearance (I'm 37.) And I can tell you that the Fifth Dimension were indeed aimed at white middle American audiences, between the ages of 18 and 34. They appealed to the audiences that would later find solace in The Carpenters, Anne Murray and Christopher Cross (God help them!)

This is a great piece of early 1970's kitsch...fabulous stuff!

[Juddy]

They are all so thin - even the "Fat Guy".

People are so lazy and quick to gobble up Cheetos and Hot Fries that it's no surprise they're not driven to entertain us with such spritely cheer.

Starving artists make better product.

[Jonathan]

Wonderful. When they turn to the side and the girl at the front puts her leg out in the wrong direction (and other minor dance step goofs), it somehow makes it even better.

[Laura]

up up and away in my beautiful balloooooooon... this is the dawning of the age of aquarius... attractive people with pleasant voices singing upbeat songs. let's see.... it's never been done before and it will never be done again??? love the outfits.

[Mads Storm Andersen]

Jim Webb= Jimmy Web??

[Jerry Silver]

YEAH! The 5th dimension rules! Their best song is "Stoned Soul Picnic."

Man, I might even have to fire up the turntable...

[otherdeb]

The Fifthe Dimension were a group that mostly did songs by Jimmy Webb and Laura Nyro, although they also did stuff by other writers (Jeff Commanor comes to mind). I know the women in the group were Florence LaRue and Marilyn McCoo. I have no idea of what Florence has done since, But Marilyn McCoo and her husband (who was also from The Fifth Dimension, and who the song "Wedding Bell Blues" was written for) had a career for a while after the group broke up.

[Catherine]

Quote: But Marilyn McCoo and her husband(who was also from The Fifth Dimension, and who the song "Wedding Bell Blues" was written for): End Quote - "Wedding Bell Blues" was written by Laura Nyro with absolutely no inspiration from anyone in the group The Fifth Dimension.

[jazmaan]

My favorite non Politically Correct line from this flower power song: "Life can be groovy in the gutter - if you know how!"

[Kaptain Kidshow]

From the very young sound of the appreciative audience at the beginning and end, this must have been a (lip-synched) performance during a pre-teen dance show, like "Mulqueen's Kiddie-A-Go-Go" in Chicago. The choreography was definitely designed with a tiny dance floor in mind. GREAT STUFF!!!

[Ira]

Does it really matter to which audience the stuff was aimed at? I was quite young when this stuff was fresh; (I'm 51)I loved it then, and now. Beautiful Balloon, Groovy Thing, Stone Soul, Paper Cup, Angles and Rhymes, Age of Aquarius and all. Laura Nigro(Nyro) was a great writer. 5TH Dimension was a great vocal group. If you like(d) it then dig it, if not don't listen. Take what you need, leave the rest.

[ISIS]

This appearance of "Paper Cup" and they also sang "Up, Up, and Away" was from Upbeat...a syndicated show based here in Cleveland from 64-71. The group is actually wearing red, white, and blue....there are phtotos of them wearing these same outfits where you can see the colors better.

[ISIS]

Also, Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo *married since 1969* are still performing together and sound fantastic. Florence LaRue still performs as part of the 5th Dimension. Ron townson died in 2001, and Lamonte McLemore retired from the group a few years ago.