Single:
Wedding Bell Blues entered the Australian singles chart* on 18 October 1969 and peaked at #20.
Album:
The song is on The Age of Aquarius which entered the Australian albums chart* on 16 August 1969 and peaked at #9.
Songwriter:
Laura Nyro
Producer:
Bones Howe
Record label of Australian release:
Liberty
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Songfacts:
Laura Nyro wrote this song when she was just 18, and released it on her first album in 1967. The song finds the singer letting her boyfriend (Bill) know that although she loves him, she’s becoming frustrated waiting for him to propose to her.
The 5th Dimension had hits in 1968 with Nyro’s songs Stoned Soul Picnic and Sweet Blindness. The group’s producer Bones Howe was good friends with Nyro and loved her songs, so he encouraged them to record another one for their Age of Aquarius album.
Wedding Bell Blues was exceptionally fitting for the group, as members Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. were engaged at the time, but had not set a wedding date. This played well on television appearances, as Marilyn would sing to “Bill” and Davis would put on that look guys get when they’re being hassled about getting married. McCoo and Davis did get married later in 1969, and remained together.
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/the-5th-dimension/wedding-bell-blues
Lyrics:
Bill
I love you so
I always will
I look at you and see
The passion eyes of May (eyes of May)
Oh, but am I ever gonna see
My wedding day? (Wedding day)
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlist Bang a Gong – the 60s
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