Save the Country by the Fifth Dimension

[soaringvulture]

Nice cover of the Laura Nyro song. Tight harmony. How could the 5th Dimension sing so good and dress so bad? I believe there were a couple of cute chicks under those weird costumes but it's hard to tell.

[hbailen]

I miss Laura...

[Prancer1231]

laura nyro does it better

[bobjones726]

Can't study war no more. Forty years later and we are still in neverending wars.

[centralparocker]

2 people haven't saved the country....and I feel sorry for them....

[Prayingbear777]

I love this! I grew up in the 60's, too! Amen!

[centralparocker]

Lay the devil down, gonna lay that devil down...!!!!

[tawheedization]

can we lay that devil down we may not be able to save this or any country but we can ll unite and lay that devil down and build a dream with love i know or we can keep serving master deceiver but we wont study war no war

[Streamline09]

Great, great musical group and Laura Nyro's lyrics. Their live performance director was Rene DeKnight of the Delta Rhythm Boys. He taught them a lot. Thanks.

[cruptbside]

so tell me ...other thanjazz vocalese ... was there ever a better vocal harmony blending group ...? I challenge ...

[michaelvincentaustin]

@cruptbside I don't know if they are "the best" but the 5th D is way up there. I trend toward The Soul Stirrers with Sam Cooke on lead. In any event the 5th D live album version of The Association's "Never My Love" shows the group working about as seamlessly and finely tuned as it gets. Check it out. So many "recording artists" are revealed as frauds when they are out of the comfort and protection of the recording studio but the 5th Dimension shines live. The real thing.

[centralparocker]

Gonna lay that devil down!!!!

[aimeemannfan2010]

I love the harmonies in this song. It doesn't get better than this. Thanks for posting.

[uKooKu]

@aimeemannfan2010 5th Dimension-AND-Aimee Mann fan; just gotta say, I like your taste!

[aimeemannfan2010]

@uKooKu, thanks! I'm also a huge Beatles fan.

[Mineretta2012]

I loved this song when I was a kid. Glad I found it today trying to wake up some people in my family.

[Uberlasting]

"There's a King at the Glory River, and the precious King, he wants the people to sing..." Sound like a good ol' gospel song. One of my favorite Groups as a kid.

[22yogurt22]

We can heal our country and the world!

[gilllew]

WHAT A TALENTED SONGWRITER THE LATE LAURA NYRO WAS - ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SONGS FROM 1971 I ALSO HAVE ONE OF HER OTHER SONGS "GIBSON STREET" ON A COMPILATION ALBUM CALLED "FILL YOUR HEAD WITH ROCK" WAS OUT IN THE EARLY 70'S ANOTHER GOOD SONG SHE WROTE FOR BARBARA STREISAND AROUND THAT TIME W\S "STONY END"

[frederickus]

Laura Nyro!!! RIP!!!

[MegaObserver1]

Laura Nyro wrote this song following Bobby Kennedy's assassination in June 1968. "Keep the dream of the two young brothers".

[inkey2]

it took me days to figure out what the name of this song was

[itisYOUREnotYOUR]

This song is ironically patriotic for today's dynamic.

[WilliamDRowlett]

I was a drummer back in the 80's and got a call to "back up" the drummer in a local band. He had the worst of hepatitis and eventually died of AIDS. But they gave me about one day's rehearsal and we played this song. We rocked it out of the park! Great memories.

[hermanglimsher]

To IrisMg

Thanks for your condescending remarks.

That was a whole different time. Songwriters in the 60's and 70's did not realize the value of issues like copywriting etc.

As just one example a lot of songwriters were very bitter Elvis was given credits for songs they wrote.

[inkey2]

@hermanglimsher LOL "songwriters in the 60/70 did not know the value of issues like copyrights" : ......I guess George Harrison learned pretty fast with "my Sweet Lord"

[uKooKu]

Lyn Bramer(sp???) would hate this; what does xrt know anymore anyway?

[mycastleislikethat]

Thanks for posting this. You never hear this on the radio anymore. Priceless and inspiring. 

[angelangel3000]

Laura never got her props for writing and performing this and Wedding Bell Blues and David Geffen, her manager, took 50 percent of her songwriting royalties. oh well . . .

[9ballguy]

I read an interview with Laura and she said she loved The Fifth Dimension's versions of her songs.

[hermanglimsher]

Poor Laura Nyro.

The 5th Dimension took her songs and making them bigger hits than she ever did.

[IrisMG]

@hermanglimsher If you don't mind my responding to your ill-directed comment, "Poor" Laura Nyro was overjoyed because she got paid handsomely for every hit someone had with a song she wrote. Why don't you learn how the music industry works before saying something so...uninformed?!

[inkey2]

@hermanglimsher but if laura nyro held the copyright for it she must have made a killing.....assuming she did indeed have ownership......but.....sometim­es ownership of a song can dissapear through oddbal legalities

[huvz]

strange how this applies today.

[lebarosky]

Laura Nyro wrote this song.

[kavorkaboy]

the devil = obama

[RoyFive]

The organ piece sounds like something The Band's Garth Hudson would have played.

[centralparocker]

yep, gonna lay that Devil down!!!!

[centralparocker]

We can build a dream a love....love how that line gets higher and higher!

[centralparocker]

one of the most underrated by a great from an era we'll never see again!!!!

[gva0917]

OMG - did this not represent the "Boomer Generation?" We were definitiely trying to implement change in this country and its attitudes and we did in a lot of areas! This song is representative of our generation. Gosh, how we wanted the world to be a better place. We loved the men in "Nam, but hated that useless war. All that war did was take the lives of a tragically large number of young people serving where they SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST PLACE. Sincerely - thanks for the post.

[chkjns]

@gva0917 - And who'd have thought 'w' would send our troops back for a useless war encore! Semper Fi for our troops, but not those who abuse their power to send them to their deaths. A Right-to-Life protester was recently explaining to me how good the Iraq war was. I asked "So you want to spare the unborn now so you can go have them killed in a stupid war 20 years later. Apparently there's an expiration date on one's right to life that I was unaware of. Too many people are just nuts ! !

[Starlifter88]

@gva0917 Perhaps you were supportive of the military men in the 1960's and 1970's, but as an Army veteran of that era, I can assure you wearing the uniform in the states made you the object of much disdain. Having short hair back then marked you anyway, but we were no longer required to wear the uniform on pass, because of the anti-military feeling then. My son is in Iraq now, and the good news, the military of this generation is appreciated MUCH MUCH MORE.

[gva0917]

@Starlifter88 You obviously read my comment below and from that you know how I felt about that worthless, horrific war! I am a boomer and can tell you my heart was always with everyone that had to serve. In fact, my brother was a Marine during Vietnam and my son was in the Army in Desert Storm. Everyone who has ever served their country has my my unfailing gratitude and I will remember you all and all the sacrifices until the day I die. God bless you all.

[tennispro561]

@gva0917 ---good analysis....a pause for the cause....you can thank LBJ for the great losses--you should have added that......

[gva0917]

@tennispro561 You are correct about LBJ, but as I am sure you know, the comment area will only "take" so many "characters;" I was running out!!!!!! I wanted to speak from my heart on that topic because it has always been close to my heart.

[jba2323]

I LOVE MM

[centralparocker]

Gonna lay that devil down, baby!!!!

[issurchaim]

laura's version might be one's preference.. but they put this song on the map...

fantastic.. i saw them in vegas in 1992... their first comeback together in over 10 years.. and they were fabulous.

[sacpelicancom]

Prefer Laura's version !

[LOUDNESSrocks]

An awesome song about love,and peace and hope! this song on the album "Portrait" by The 5th Dimension originally released on Bell Records! "Portrait" was the first 5th Dimension album released on Bell Records (1971) after the 5th Dimension's previous record label, "Soul-City Records" went under.

[chkjns]

@LOUDNESSrocks - thanks for the info, I've added this to my 1971 playlist and the 5th Dimension list. My channel has 8000 songs on 500 playlists so you can hear the best 350 artists of the past century, or listen to 111 lists for every year since 1900.

Hear the sounds of any past year, from around the world, as if you've stepped back in time.

[uKooKu]

@LOUDNESSrocks Thanks LOUDNESSr, just one thing though. It was released in 1970. I was 14. I remember I was counting the days 'til it came out! And on Nyro, she's the earth mother behind many of their hits, but Nyro's voice is an acquired taste when she wails. Hide the stemware!

[gto66solstice08]

"In my mind I can't Study War no More" ...Tell that to the Islamists who attacked us on 9/11 ....

[RTSiciliano]

@gto66solstice08 Tell that to the same Islamists this government lied to in the mid '80's in Afghanistan & Aouthern Iraq in 1991.

[MsCin1]

@gto66solstice08 Get the facts jack about 9/11 not the lies.

[billybeth3]

LOVE this song and this group!

[xjfop]

Nyro's voice totally sucks. Horrid. Comaring her to 5th Dimension or Barbara Streisand (Stoney End) is a joke sponsored by those who defy natural law.

[wiim2000]

I was privledged enough to hear Laura in a living room. She was so special it is hard to put it into words. I'll just say this, if you get it I don't need to explain and if you don't no explaintion will suffice.

[whoyodanny]

Beautifully said.

[wiim2000]

Like I said no explaintion will suffice.

[LOUDNESSrocks]

@xjfop I TOTALLY disagree with your comment about Laura Nyro! She was a beutiful person AND very good singer! Yes, the 5th Dimension are MORE up-tempo and do exelent covers of her music!!! BUT..... I think Laura Nyro is a awesome song-writer,And singer!

[johnhenrehan]

Do NOT miss Laura Nyro's live version of this song, posted here on youtube. This Fifth Dimension performance is good -- even very good. Nyro, the author of the tune and lyrics, however, is brilliant beyond belief.

Nyro also wrote Wedding Bell Blues.  The Fifth Dimension version of that song will probably never be topped -- ever.

[9ballguy]

Another great 5th tune that should have reached Number One!

[Bobbipens]

Save the People!!!!!

[youtub3k]

God, how I miss those day of musical freedom. The big music corporations have all but removed anything about God and morality, from today's music. You might hear it in Christian Rock. But that's how they box it into a corner, so it can be censured. Instead they put the money behind Gangster Rap. And other amoral song genres. Few, if any black singers are doing otherwise. So how is this free speech, in commercial music? "In my mind I can't study war, no more." I love that verse.

[bloootube]

@youtub3k Isaiah 11, Amigo. My roll with the Beatles and worship of my god, John Lennon, was chuggin' along at full steam when 5D hit the pop scene. Their music was "square" by the prevailing "coolness" standards of the time, but for reasons now apparent to me, my soul found far more refreshment and less rebellion when in 1970 I started reaching for 5D Greatest Hits instead of the White Album. If I had a choice I'd rather see 5D in concert than The Beatles at the pinnacle of their glory.

[martinjp1958]

Great harmony in a masterful composition. So musical and entertaining.

[jeffsoule2010]

Laura Nyro-moment of silence. Genius.

[carolerory]

love the harmonies and positive message.

great memories of growing up on this music..

[AllusCats]

I saw them in 1969 at Brigham Young University...they were a great show. By that time they had many great hits. L. Nyro's songs were a huge part of their hit file. She seemed to blend into her songs something of the old negro spirituals with folk and R 'n' R. It was a formula that she began and others emulated. "Muddy Water", a song which I wrote in 1976 is a bit derived from listening to her. If anyone's interested in hearing it, google - Allus Cats. Rhapsody plays it full length.

[mrsastor1000]

"...I can't study war no more." It could have been written yesterday. I love most all of Laura Nyro's songs, but this is the most touching.

[JimboUSofA]

You can't save a country that doesn't want to be saved.

[mustangmooney21]

The People want to "Save the Country". Our current Government and President could care less!

[JimboUSofA]

So true.

[JimKF]

My favorite Laura Nyro song and favorite 5th Dimension cover. "We could build the dream with love" refers to the line "keep the dream of the two young brothers." Laura meant JFK and RFK. They both had dreams for this country.I read that she wrote the song after Bobbie Kennedy was killed.

[uKooKu]

That is correct .. I just recently learned what that "brothers" reference meant myself, and I'd been pondering it since 1970. Guess I'm slow, but I do love the 5D-Nyro stuff!

[peterbagge]

That's Larry Knetchel on organ AND piano. He and the "Wrecking Crew" (Hal Blaine on Drums, Joe Osborne on bass) played on every other record made from 1964 - '72. Easy to understand why, too. They were amazing!

[sunking6]

"We CAN build a dream with LOVE !!!" I am a product of the 1960's.........The Fifth Dimension has and will always be an inspiration to me !!!! I play this song and the tears don't stop flowing........It's better to me now than when I heard it in 70's because I understand it more........

[HippieNiecey]

@sunking6 I agre. This song makes me cry because it can be used today and your right it is better now than then it was when we were kids. I love The Fifth Dimention so much! They ere my childhood. Ron Townson was my favorite! He was such a cutie. I can't believe that he left us si early. Does anyone know how he died? Heart attack?

[robiandolo]

@sunking6 Wow! I thought I was the only one! I listen to the greatest hits everyday in my car. I'm the crazy guy in the car next to you singing at the top of his lungs!

And just as an FYI - the 60's was about personal freedom from govermental oppression. I think it's time we re-listen to some of the music of the 60's and realize we have been invaded by politcal policies that are slowly and quitely taking these awy from us. This music actually gives me hope for tomorrow.

[jamesdudzinski]

@sunking6 It was an amazing time wasnt it. What has happened?

[gasman396]

Unless this country unites--it is all gone for us.

[The1962driftingaway]

Who was the organist on this? They did a wonderful job.

[IrisMG]

I'll see if it's on my CD booklet

[The1962driftingaway]

Thanks

[IrisMG]

Well it took a couple days digging through my CDs for me to realize that I didn't have the CD of the Portrait album this song comes from. In fact, I have the original LP with the LeRoy Neiman cover! I'm going to take a couple posts to list the personnel.

Arranged by Bob Alcivar, Bill Holman & Bones Howe

Vocal arrangements by Bob Alcivar.

Hal Blaine: Drums & Percussion

Joe Osborne: Bass

Larry Knechtel: Organ, Piano, Tack Piano

Jimmy Rowles: Piano

Gary Illingworth: RMI Electric Piano

[IrisMG]

Dennis Budimir: Rhythm Guitar

Tommy Tedesco: Rhythm Guitar

Mike Deasy: Electric Guitar

Mike Anthony: Electric Guitar

Fred Tackett: Finger-pickin' Guitar

Larry Bunker: Conga Drum, Percussion, Malletts

Gary Coleman: Percussion & Mallets

Engineered by Bones Howe in the new 16-Track facilities of Wally Heider Recording in Hollywood, with the cooperation and assistance of Johnny Golden, Rik Pekkonen and Larry Cox.

Mastering by Liberty Studios, Hollywood

Bell 6045 Stereo :-)

[The1962driftingaway]

Once again, thanks very much

[fivemile13]

Love the 5th! Incidentally, we sang this song and "Light Sings" back in high school Jazz Choir!

[VirginSuicide77]

This song has always made me feel like I need to be in a white robe dancing in a church aisle. Still a great song. Played 5th Dimension's "Greatest Hits On Earth" album a ton, this was the first song on Side 2!

[MsTexas73]

Great song...It's still so relevant today. *smh*

[Quartermaine4Ever]

So true!!

[sabrinamessenger61]

I woke up with this song on my mind this morning. LOVE both 4th Dimensions and Laura Nyro. I put this song at my blog in honor of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy one of the greatest politicians America's ever had. RIP Sen. Kennedy.

[Quartermaine4Ever]

AMEN TO THAT!!!

[WilliamRowlett]

I've always loved this song and as far as Ted Kennedy goes, he is not a saint. He cheated at Harvard and was expelled, He killed a 26 year old person. Don't give false praise to this guy. Let's get real!!!!!!!!

[SacMyk]

Real?

Sen Kennedy was responsible for more social change legislation than any other legislator before. Yes, he made mistakes. His Grace is that he was able to rise above his mistakes and BE what was needed. No. NO false praise. Sincere appreciation for a life lived in service.

[SacMyk]

@StevenCarinci

1st, I'm a Pole form Chicago, Steve. 2nd, if it weren't for Al Capone and his cronies, we wouldn't be having drive-by shootings now. And, ol Joe P. was just doing what the people wanted; in some places he is seen as a patriot. And we all did repeal Prohibition, so he was right there too. So, I'd say both had a hand in diminishing America. What's your point?

[sabrinamessenger61]

If not for Sen. Kennedy a great many civil rights measure would've never passed including Loving Vs Virginia the Supreme Ct decision that banned the law against interracial marriages in the USA. So for me that alone is enough to respect Sen. Kennedy for. Besides, he long expressed regret for the Chappaquiddick incident. So who are you to judge! No one is perfect...not even you I'll bet. My praise for him is sincere and I'm offended you would even imply otherwise!

[StevenCarinci]

@sabrinamessenger61 I unfortunately "regret' to inform you that my powers of forgiveness do not extend to the Chappaquiddick "manslaughter" incident NOR do I believe that yours do either. When it's your child that is drown then talk to me about forgiveness, then and then will I believe that YOU are truly a forgiving soul. Also, Teddy may regret the incident but he would have REALLY regretting going to prison, like you or me would have. PS. Who said anyone is perfect? Hmm...?

[454something]

Save the country. Wherever you are Teddy, how about striking a deal to save the country from the haters and the liars and for god's sake keep the dream alive

[Krupa08]

"....sayin' we shall overcome !!!...."

[centralparocker]

yeah baby, we're gonna that devil down!!!!

[RTSiciliano]

In my mind I can't study war no more!!!

[freepussy]

This song is relevant even now. The 5th Dimension was the best vocal pop group ever!

[cruptbside]

one more thing.

The harmonies at the end when they sing "We can fill the stream with love" always choke me up.

[JimKF]

The lyrics are actually, "We can build the dream with love." That refers to the previous line "keep the dream of the two young brothers." She was refering to JFK and RFK, who both had great dreams for this country.

[cruptbside]

Boy, do i feel silly. I lost a lot of my hearing when I used to swim everyday as a child. This happens all the time. Kinda lik folks who thing Hendrix was saying "S'cuse me, while I kiss this guy."

yukkity yuk yuk.

Thanks 4 clearing that up.

:-}

[cruptbside]

There R so many gr8 things about this post. 1. Yes, this song is as important today as it was when originaly recorded. 2. Is it just me, or has Utube created a new interest in old artist, causing their popularity to soar agin. particularly, the 5th, the cowsills, the rascals 2 name a few. along with Bacharach, C. King, Motown, R temperton, Laura Nyro is my FAVORITE song writer. Thank You Zing 4 all of the 5D post. Seems the Phillippeanes is the new soul capital of the world.

[RTSiciliano]

Gonna lay that devil down!!!

[RTSiciliano]

I've got fury in my soul...

[aguz2211]

Wow!!muy buena version!!escuche la de Laura Nyro pero me gusta mas la de este grupo por su armonia vocal

Saludos y gracias por el post!

[tico8007]

only superman can save the country now

[ZIPPTPH77]

Maybe Superman can reverse the rotation of the earth and go back in time?

[JimKF]

One of the best videos on YouTube is Laura Nyro's live 1969 TV performance of Save the Country. The 5th D. did a nice job of covering this song in 1970.

[tmmmviii]

Her 1969 performance is unreal.

[centralparocker]

Gonna lay the devil down....the lyrics are so moving in this song.......upbeat.........glor­ious....yeah, baby!!!!

[ChickLover721]

Oh is that right Kumbaya boy? I'll listen to this one in the privacy of my own car thankyou! lol

[tico8007]

my god 30 years later and this song still applies to the situation, what a sad state of affairs

[2008HereICome]

I know, right!

[circa2088]

Gotta love Laura Nyro. Along with Jimmy Webb, she was one of the best and most original songwriters of the 1960s.

We could do without the silly hippie boomlet environment worship, though. The environment is too important to make it a personal religion. Some of us have already been there, done that, and know better this time round. Wake up, people. Obama is no god. But some people are bowing before him like he's another Jim Jones. Don't do that to him.

[Streamline09]

Beautiful, timeless, thank you.

[mfbinc]

Hard to believe that this song was written and composed by and 18 year old girl. What a genius Laura Nyro was!

[hork111]

@mfbinc True genius often appears early. They are blessed by being set on the path to their life's work from birth.

[redwalls76]

I agreed that they should bring this song back. It was agreat song when I was thirteen years old. What about the song If We Only Had love and Bring The Boys Home along with The Window of The World. Lets not forget Stone Love. All these songs were about peace,understanding for one another. Those were the days.

[Lester2955]

Remember buying this as an 8th grader. It was great.

Thank you for the memory.

[mfbinc]

laura nyro's original is the superior version....

[vampyros1]

'Deed it is....she was a genius-

[jlomax]

Why must you compare...geesh both versions are great! I hate it when people do that...it's so pointless and dumb.

[clambeandip]

Ive never read anything to suggest Laura Nyro was much more than a very talented hippie chick who was all about art, peace and love. Never about money.

This song's uplifting, as most 5th Dimensions 60s hits. Thanx proken for pointing out the Kennedy reference. This caused me to, for the first time, notice the line There's a king at the glory river.
And the precious king, he loved the people to sing...
We Shall Overcome obviously re: Martin Luther King. Awesome.

5th Dimesion sure were great

[Spiderking9]

This should be the theme song for Obama for the upcoming campaign in '09 to put the economy on track.

[jupitr2]

I'm tell'n ya! YOU are absolutely RIGHT. What this country needs is some inspiration and this song has it. Is it coincidence that Barrack Obama is going to be sworn in as our President the very day after we are honoring Martin Luther King and at a time when we are all beaten up? If there's ever a time when we need some inspiration, it certainly is now. This is a good one to write the White House about. Let the song and it's lyrics get some national exposure in radio and TV announcements.

[Spiderking9]

I agree, this song has to come back into the limelight. If we write a kind letter to the White House, it may just go through with such a suggestion. It is optimistic, it touches on vitality, youth, energy and the spirit of the 60s. I can't even see anyone, not even a religious group objecting to this song as a national rally point.

[68NYC]

Love this...

The older i get the more i appreciate this song it seems.

A Timeless tune and message here.

Thanks...

[oxlotol]

Hey proken58, Laura Nyro wrote this song to add more cash to her bank account.

[proken58]

I read where Laura Nyro wrote this as a reaction to Bobby Kennedy's assassination in 1968.

[JimKF]

That is probably true. Listen to the lyrics, "Keep the dream of the 2 young brothers." Laura was obviously referring to JFK and RFK.

[Psychelmer]

After listening to this after maybe 30-35 years, it's hard to believe that nobody has thought to re-release or cover this song during the last 8 years!!

[art4life4me]

Kanye West sampled Laura's version in "Glory" recently. I don't much like Kanye's stuff myself but he shows some musical awareness by using some really good old pieces.

[jzoren64]

such a great song laura nyro never got enuff credit 4 her music alot of groups did her music justice but her singing her songs is still the best way to the recordings of this gr8 woman

[sallyanndahl]

whoa this song rings true for 2008 - 30 years later we are still dealing with the same social issues.  awesome song - awesome band

[imau2ber]

Uh, 40 years later.

My, I got old.

[SkeeterNYC]

Yo Bitches, they were both written and recorded by the co-Queen* of singer/songwriters, the late, great Laura Nyro.

(*Joni Mitchell being the other, of course.)

[palinlondon]

Great version of this song - I've never heard it before - love 5th Dimension.

[uKooKu]

Great. Thanks!!! On a side note, do you ever wonder why "Earthbound", their last LP, arranged and directed by Jim Webb -(too cool) and a GLORIOUS final album - was never released on CD? (I have it but i have cyber rules.)

[jsbgone]

Save the Country and Wedding Bell Blues are my absolute favorites - growing up, I would sing these 2 over and over on my Mom's album!!! I wonder if there is any LIVE footage of them performing Save the Country?