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 and peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the Cash Box Top 100.
“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, Best Performance by a Chorus, and Best Contemporary Song. 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 Osborne on bass, Tommy Tedesco on guitar, and composer Jimmy Webb hisself on keyboards. 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 beach movies but about ballooning, and Jimmy said he’d do the music for it—which he did. 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” was the first big hit as a songwriter for Jimmy Webb. His first song recorded, “This is Where I Came In” by the Contessas, was released in 1965, and there were a few other attempts after that, but the 5th Dimension gave him his first big score. That was followed by a stellar catalog of work, including:
- “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Honey Come Back,” and “Where’s the Playground, Susie” for Glen Campbell
- “MacArthur Park” for both Richard Harris and Donna Summer.
- “Didn’t We” for Frank Sinatra, Richard Harris, and many others
- “All I Know” for Art Garfunkel
- “The Worst That Could Happen” for the Brooklyn Bridge
- “Magic Garden” for Dusty Springfield
- “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” for Judy Collins, Linda Ronstadt, and others
- “If These Walls Could Speak” for Amy Grant, Nanci Griffith, and others
- “P.F. Sloan” for the Association
- “Highwaymen” for the Highwaymen
We’re going to cover several of these classic songs this week, so strap yourself in to learn more about Jimmy Webb and his music. He definitely qualifies as one of the top songwriters of the 20th century.
And here’s your daily bonus song of the day, Michael Feinstein performing a cool bossa nova version of “Up, Up and Away.” I really like this one!
