Up, Up and Away (song)
"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, whose big hit version reached no. 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 in July 1967 and no. 9 on its Easy Listening chart.[1] The single reached number one in both Canada and Australia. In 1999 Webb's song placed 43 on BMI's "Top 100 Songs of the Century".[2]
| "Up, Up and Away" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by the 5th Dimension | |
| from the album Up, Up and Away | |
| B-side | "Which Way to Nowhere" |
| Released | May 1967 |
| Recorded | February 22, 1967 |
| Studio | Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California |
| Genre | Psychedelic pop, sunshine pop |
| Length | 2:40 |
| Label | Soul City |
| Songwriter(s) | Jimmy Webb |
| Producer(s) | Johnny Rivers and Marc Gordon |
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, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, Best Performance by a Vocal Group, Best Performance by a Chorus and Best Contemporary Song. The instrumental backing was performed by members of the Wrecking Crew,[3] including trumpeter Tony Terran and drummer Hal Blaine.
Personnel
According to the AFM contract sheet, the following musicians played on the track.[4]
Chart history
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Notable cover versions
- In the United Kingdom the 5th Dimension single failed to chart. Released first, a version by US vocal act the Johnny Mann Singers reached no. 6 in August 1967, and in 1968 won a Grammy Award for Best Performance by a Chorus. A French-language recording achieved popularity in Quebec.
- Frank Ifield released a cover version on EMI (UK) Columbia label as a 1967 A-side single (released on July 7, 1967).[13]
Usage in media
- For a time, Dionne Warwick's song "I'll Never Love This Way Again" preceded reports about people with HIV/AIDS on Rush Limbaugh’s radio show.[14] These later became "condom updates," preceded by “Up, Up and Away”.[15]
- The song was also adapted, with new lyrics, as a TV advertising jingle in Australia for the now defunct Trans Australia Airlines in the 1970s[16] [17] [18].
References
- Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 91.
- "BMI Announces Top 100 Songs of the Century". Broadcast Music, Inc. 13 December 1999. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
- Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
- "Up Up And Away AFM Contract" (PDF). The Wrecking Crew. American Federation of Musicians. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1967-07-22. Retrieved 2020-08-19.
- Flavour of New Zealand, 6 October 1967
- Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 29, 1967
- RPM Top 100 Singles of 1967
- oldtimemusic.com
- Musicoutfitters.com
- Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 23, 1967
- "Frank Ifield - Up-Up and Away".
- Remnick, David (December 16, 1990). "Day of the Dittohead". The Washington Post. p. C1.
- Grossberger, Lewis (December 16, 1990). "The Rush Hours". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- "TAA 1971 advertisement on Youtube".
- "TAA 1972 advertisement on Youtube".
- "TAA 1975 advertisement on Youtube".