Aquarius Lyrics – Hair

Song Overview

Personal Review

Listening to Aquarius by the Original London Cast of Hair feels like standing at the cusp of a cosmic dawn, where hippie fervor and yearning for peace coalesce into a chant that still echoes today. Lyrics woven around planetary alignments become a rallying cry rather than an astrological lesson, capturing both hope and defiance in a two-minute surge of sound. The song’s blend of pop rock and psychedelic rhythm offers a vivid snapshot of 1968’s countercultural pulse.

Song Meaning and Annotations

Born from the same creative spark that ignited the Broadway stage, Aquarius opens with the prophecy “

When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Initially playful, the mood shifts as the narrator declares “Then peace will guide the planets / And love will steer the stars,” moving from cosmic whimsy to a bold affirmation of unity. That transition embodies the counterculture’s emotional arc, from experimentation to earnest social vision.

Musically, the song fuses a driving backbeat with brass and woodwind accents, evoking both church hymnals and festival drums. Its arrangement—laden with piano, guitar, vibraphone and a supporting horn section—mirrors the optimism and urgency of the late ’60s musical landscape.

Within the context of the West End production, the cast recording’s instrumentation under conductor Derek Wadsworth and producer Norrie Paramor adds a lush, cinematic sheen. The orchestration underscores the tribal community at the heart of Hair, where every note encourages collective awakening.

Culturally, “Aquarius” tapped into New Age currents even before they fully coalesced. Cover versions by artists ranging from Diana Ross to the Boston Pops illustrate its broad appeal and adaptability.

By referencing astrological ages, the song bridges ancient mythologies and modern protest, inviting listeners to envision a world ruled by harmony instead of discord. Symbols like the “Age of Aquarius” become metaphors for spiritual progression, not literal forecasts.

The refrain “This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius” serves as both proclamation and invocation, synthesizing personal longing with collective aspiration. It reads less as a dated horoscope and more as a timeless manifesto for societal change.

Verse Highlights

Verse 1

The opening couplet juxtaposes celestial imagery with human hope. The Moon’s passage through the “seventh house” becomes a poetic device rather than a technical astrological event. By placing Jupiter and Mars in alignment, the songwriters invoke a rare convergence to dramatize the potential for peace. The anapaestic pulse of “When the moon is in the seventh house” propels the listener forward, creating anticipation for the promised harmony.

Chorus

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions

The chorus unfolds as a litany of virtues—harmony, sympathy, trust—each line building on the last. The repeated “Aquarius! Aquarius!” chants become a communal call, echoing the show’s ethos of collective awakening and shared vision.

Song Credits

• Featured: J. Vincent Edwards
• Producer: Norrie Paramor
• Composer: Galt MacDermot
• Lyricists: Gerome Ragni & James Rado
• Release Date: 1968
• Genre: Pop • R&B
• Instruments: piano, electric piano, drums, bass, guitar, vibraphone, trumpet, flute, woodwinds
• Label: Polydor (UK), Atco (North America)
• Mood: hopeful, cosmic
• Track #: 1
• Language: English
• Album: Hair (Original London Cast Recording)
• Music Style: rock musical fusion
• Poetic Meter: free-verse chant
• Copyrights: © 1968 RCA Victor • ? 1968 RCA Victor

Songs Exploring Themes of Unity and Peace

While “Aquarius” celebrates cosmic alignment as a metaphor for social harmony, the 5th Dimension’s medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” elevates the theme with soulful vocals and gospel-tinged backing, turning the chant into a top-charting anthem that broadened the song’s reach. Its six-week stint at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 underscored the public’s appetite for hopeful anthems in 1969.

Meanwhile, John Lennon’s “Imagine” offers a stripped-back piano ballad urging listeners to envision a world without borders or divisions. Its contemplative tone contrasts with “Aquarius”’ exultant call but shares the same core message: peace and unity come from collective imagination.

In contrast, Bob Marley’s “One Love” blends reggae rhythm with a communal spirit, inviting all to “get together and feel alright.” Although stylistically distant from Hair’s rock-musical roots, it resonates with that same promise of shared understanding and mutual compassion.

Questions and Answers

Who wrote “Aquarius” for the Original London Cast?

Gerome Ragni and James Rado crafted the lyrics, set to music by Galt MacDermot.

What does “When the moon is in the seventh house” signify?

It’s a poetic invocation of rare celestial alignment, meant to symbolize a moment ripe for peace rather than a literal astrological event.

How did “Aquarius” influence popular culture?

Beyond the stage, its message was amplified by cover versions and a chart-topping medley by the 5th Dimension, embedding its ideals in late-’60s and ’70s consciousness.

Did the Original London Cast recording of “Aquarius” chart as a single?

The cast version itself was not issued as a hit single, but the song soared to prominence through album sales and later recordings.

What is the astrological “Age of Aquarius”?

In astrology, it marks a roughly 2,150-year cycle tied to the precession of the equinoxes, here used metaphorically to herald a new era of unity.

Awards and Chart Positions

The 5th Dimension’s medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” won both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group at the 1970 ceremony, and was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. Its six-week run atop the US Billboard Hot 100 remains one of the most enduring chart feats of the era.

In 2004, the American Film Institute ranked the medley at number 33 on its “100 Years…100 Songs” list, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone.

How to Sing?

Aquarius demands a warm, resonant mid-range delivery, spanning roughly an octave with phrasing that leans on syncopation. Singers should focus on clear articulation of off-beat lyrics—especially in lines like “Then peace will guide the planets”—while maintaining steady breath support for the stretched vowel sounds in the chorus. A moderate tempo around 72 BPM allows room for expressive dynamics without rushing the cosmic message.