Pop Music

The song “Wedding Bell Blues” was written by the talented singer, songwriter, and musician Laura Nyro , who was the first to record it in 1966. Her version was on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles “Bubbling Under” Chart and rose to #103. The 5th Dimension had several hits with Nyro songs, including “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness,” and decided to include it on their 1969 album The Age of Aquarius.  They also released it as a single, and it went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and #23 on the U.S. R&B Singles chart. The song also #3 in Canada, #16 in the U.K., and #20 in Australia. It went on to earn an RIAA platinum record.

In the song, the singer is waiting and waiting for her man to commit to marrying her. During performances by The 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo, who was engaged to Billy Davis, Jr., would sing looking directly at him, as they had not yet set a wedding date. They did marry in 1969.

The phrase “wedding bell blues” about this type of lament became part of the language.

The 5th Dimension, originally called The Versatiles, formed in 1965 in Los Angeles. Their repertoire was quite versatile, covering a number of genres. This included R&B, pop, soul, sunshine pop, and psychedelic soul.  The original members were Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, LaMonte McLemore, and Ron Townson. They had hits with “Up, Up and Away,” “Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures),”” “Working on a Groovy Thing,” and “One Less Bell to Answer,” among many others. There have been personnel changes over the years, but the group continues to tour and perform.

Here are the lyrics to “Wedding Bell Blues” by The 5th Dimension:

“Bill, I love you so, I always will
I look at you and see the passion eyes of May
Oh, but am I ever gonna see my wedding day

I was on your side, Bill, when you were loosin’
I never scheme or lie, Bill, there’s been no foolin’
But kisses and love won’t carry me till you marry me Bill

I love you so, I always will
And in your voice I hear a choir of carousels
Oh, but am I ever gonna hear my wedding bells

I was the one who came runnin’ when you were lonely
I haven’t lived one day not lovin’ you only
But kisses and love won’t carry me till you marry me Bill

I love you so, I always will
And though devotion rules my heart I take no bows
But Bill you’re never gonna take those wedding vows

Oh, come on Bill, oh, come on Bill
Come on and marry me, Bill, I got the wedding bell blues
Please marry me Bill, I got the wedding bell blues, wedding bell blues
Marry me Bill, I got the wedding bell blues”

For other songs by The 5th Dimension: “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In Medley” and “Up, Up, and Away.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Wedding Bell Blues” by The 5th Dimension.