The Story Behind the Song Age of Aquarius

Introduction

The Age of Aquarius was once a buzzword of the 1960s counter-culture. Popularized by the group the 5th Dimension and the Broadway musical “Hair.”

It was a new dawning of awareness.

But then what happened? Where did it go?

In the magic summer of 1969, between two historic outdoor music festivals, Denver Pop Festival and Woodstock, Aquarius lit up the radio. What started as a chance encounter from a lost wallet in a taxi cab won two Grammy’s and a permanent place in the top songs of all time.

“Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)” (commonly called “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In”, “The Age of Aquarius” or “Let the Sunshine In”) is a medley of two songs written for the 1967 musical Hair by James Rado and Gerome Ragni (lyrics), and Galt MacDermot (music),

Had another pop culture trend come and gone?

That era changed my life. It’s not over for me or you.

What is the Age of Aquarius?

The Age of Aquarius is not New Age hocus pocus. Conspiracy theory. Or a Baby Boomer algorithm.

According to Astrologists the Age of Aquarius begins now (2021). Not back in the 60s before many of you were born. You people didn’t miss it. The good news for today’s and future generations is there are 2,160 years left!

The Age of Aquarius is mystical science.

It is characterized by the passage of the vernal equinox. From there it goes through the air sign Aquarius. Opinions differ about the exact timing of this passage. Astrologers declare that we are now in a transition phase from Pisces to Aquarius.

Sound simple enough? Unless you’re an Astrologer I get lost in the cosmic weeds.

The signs? Don’t let a few stars block the galaxy.

The easier interpretation is the Age of Aquarius symbolizes the start of a new era. This move into the Age of Aquarius stands to impact the ways we make and connect with art to the ways we buy and sell it.

The Age of Aquarius also points to a newfound sense of hope. A strong desire for collective change. Some of which we have already experienced in the Covid-19 pandemic. Including the protests against racial violence in the United States. And, when combined with cosmic energy encourages us to expand our thoughts.

This energy shift serves the cutting-edge too.

Outside-the-box mediums like digital and video. Performance, conceptual art, and experimental forms. Which will act as a catalyst for inventive change. But we must remember that change takes time.

What social advances were made in the 1960s it seems we’re still fighting the same old battles.

I don’t hear about the Age of Aquarius anymore. What became of the Aquarians? The light they carried. What to become of such power? The awareness?

Did it change anything?

Was it all just a song, beads, incense, and peace signs?

The 5th Dimension in 1969 Back row: Townson(RIP) and McLemore. Front row: LaRue, Davis, and McCoo. By Soul City Records. — eBay item photo front photo back, Public Domain

On June 21, 2016, the 5th Dimension featuring Florence LaRue performed in The Villages, Florida, just days after the Orlando nightclub shooting. LaRue took the opportunity to share her thoughts on the tragedy: “We will not be terrorized. We know what’s happening in the world, but this is a song about good health, love, peace and happiness. We still believe in those things today,” she stated before the group performed “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.”

Lyrics

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Age of Aquarius

Aquarius

Aquarius

Harmony and understanding

Sympathy and trust abounding

No more falsehoods or derisions

Golden living dreams of visions

Mystic crystal revelation

And the mind’s true liberation

Aquarius

Aquarius

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius

Age of Aquarius

Aquarius

Aquarius

Aquarius

Aquarius

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Let the sunshine, let the sunshine in, the sunshine in

Oh, let it shine, c’mon

Now everybody just sing along

Let the sun shine in

Open up your heart and let it shine on in

When you are lonely, let it shine on

Got to open up your heart and let it shine on in

And when you feel like you’ve been mistreated

And your friends turn away

Just open your heart, and shine it on in

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Galt Mac Dermot / Gerome Ragni / James Rado

Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC