For the five black Americans in the Fifth Dimension in 1969, this song probably had a deeper meaning than the original lyricists intended. After centuries of racism, slavery, lynchings, oppression, and discrimination, a new age filled with love, trust, understanding, and the mind’s true liberation would be so welcome. Listen to how impassioned Billy Dee Williams is when he implores listeners to open up their hearts and let the sunshine in. I read that as let love and reason in and let hate out. I have listened to this song my entire life and only realized today what it truly means. This song has always given me chills. Now I know why, and why the Fifth Dimension felt so compelled to record it.
For the five black Americans in the Fifth Dimension in 1969, this song probably had a deeper meaning than the original lyricists intended. After centuries of racism, slavery, lynchings, oppression, and discrimination, a new age filled with love, trust, understanding, and the mind’s true liberation would be so welcome. Listen to how impassioned Billy Dee Williams is when he implores listeners to open up their hearts and let the sunshine in. I read that as let love and reason in and let hate out. I have listened to this song my entire life and only realized today what it truly means. This song has always given me chills. Now I know why, and why the Fifth Dimension felt so compelled to record it.