Stoned Soul Picnic

Laura Nyro

About Stoned Soul Picnic

"Stoned Soul Picnic" is a 1968 song by Laura Nyro. The best-known version of the song was recorded by The 5th Dimension, and was the first single released from their album of the same title. It was the most successful single from that album, reaching No. 3 on the U. S. Pop chart and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. It became a platinum record. The song was composed and recorded by Nyro for her album Eli and the Thirteenth Confession, released in March 1968. According to Marilyn McCoo, it was producer Bones Howe who suggested that it would be a good song for the 5th Dimension to cover. The group would go on to record several more hits with Nyro songs, including "Sweet Blindness", "Wedding Bell Blues", "Blowin' Away", and "Save the Country". An instrumental version was recorded by jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers and became the title track to his 1968 album. The word surry, used frequently in the lyric (e.g. "Surry down to a stoned soul picnic"), is a neologism by Nyro; its meaning is unclear. The verb surry is spelled differently from the noun surrey (an old-time carriage). When asked by producer Charlie Calello what the word meant, Nyro told him, "Oh, it's just a nice word." One possible meaning is that surry is a shortening of "let's hurry." 


Year:
1999
91 

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Can you surry,
Can you picnic?
Can you surry,
Can you picnic?
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Stoned Soul

Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Rain and sun come in akin
And from the sky
Come the lord and the lightning
Stoned Soul

There'll be trains of blossoms
There'll be trains of music
There'll be trains of trust
Trains of gold and dust
Sweet trains of thought
Can you surry?

Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
Surry down to a stoned soul picnic
There'll be lots of time and wine
Red yellow honey
Sassafras and moonshine
Stoned soul

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Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro /ˈnɪəroʊ/ NEAR-oh[citation needed] (October 18, 1947 – April 8, 1997) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. She achieved critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969), and had commercial success with artists such as Barbra Streisand and The 5th Dimension recording her songs. Her style was a hybrid of Brill Building-style New York pop, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, show tunes, rock and soul. more »

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Written by: Laura Nyro

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Development
"Stoned Soul Picnic" was initially written and recorded by Laura Nyro in 1967.
Popular Cover
It was popularly covered by The 5th Dimension a year later, in 1968.
Laura Nyro's Album
The song is originally from Nyro's album titled "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession".
Billboard Chart
The 5th Dimension's cover version of the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
RIAA Certification
The 5th Dimension's rendition was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding one million copies.
Jazz Influence
The term "Stoned Soul Picnic" seemingly alludes to a communal gathering with a relaxed atmosphere, in line with the jazz and soul music vibes of the era.
Unique Word Introduction
The song might also be noteworthy for introducing a nonsensical word, "surry", which doesn't have a meaning but adds to the song's unique appeal.
Compositional Traits
The 5th Dimension's version of the song employs an upbeat, multifaceted vocal arrangement, reflecting the band's signature harmonies.
Grammy Awards
The 5th Dimension's recording of the song was featured on their album "Stoned Soul Picnic", which was nominated for several Grammy Awards in 1969.
Song's Lyrical Message
The lyrics metaphorically evoke a sense of liberation, exploration of love and spirit, common themes in Laura Nyro's songwriting repertoire.

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