Up, Up and Away (song)
"Up, Up and Away" is a 1967 song written by Jimmy Webb and recorded (as "Up–Up and Away") by US soul-pop act the 5th Dimension with backing from members of The Wrecking Crew.[1] Their original version reached no. 7 on Billboard's Hot 100 in July 1967 and no. 9 on its Easy Listening chart,[2] and number one in both Canada and Australia. In 1999, Webb's song placed 43 on BMI's "Top 100 Songs of the Century".[3]
This article is about the 1967 song first recorded by the 5th Dimension. For other songs, see Up, Up and Away."Up, Up and Away"
"Which Way to Nowhere"
May 1967
February 22, 1967
Sound Recorders, Hollywood, California
2:40
A canonical example of sunshine pop, themed around images of hot air ballooning, it cleaned up at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards in 1968, winning for 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. In 2003, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[4]
The musical backing was dominated by members of The Wrecking Crew,[5] including trumpeter Tony Terran.
According to the AFM contract sheet, the following musicians laid down the initial instrumental track on February 22, 1967:[6]
Two other session players featuring prominently in the final mix were Al Casey (acoustic guitar) and Bud Shank (piccolo).[7]