Stoned Soul Picnic -- The 5th Dimension

[NurseJackie]

"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[1] and No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. It became a platinum record.

The song was also recorded by its composer, Nyro, and released on her Eli and the Thirteenth Confession album in the same year and an instrumental version was recorded by jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers.

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."[2] One possible meaning is that surry is a shortening of "let's hurry."

[Raster]

1. I absolutely LOVED the Fifth Dimension...

...everything they did.

[NurseJackie]

3. I did too! Such wonderful happy memories!

[BeyondGeography]

2. I loved "surry"

Of course it’s “let’s hurry.” Every 9-year-old on the block understood that.

I thought everyone wanted to go to the picnic. Like the whole country, even Nixon voters. How could you not want to go with people like Marilyn McCoo and Ron Townson? They were the friendliest looking people on earth.

[NurseJackie]

4. Until I read that wiki entry, I had always thought it was "surrey"...

... and the "rein-holding" + "whip snapping" dance moves suggest that's what the group may have thought as well.

But definitely, "let's hurry" makes much more sense.

[BeyondGeography]

5. For whatever reason

this is putting me in a Room 222 kind of mood:

[NurseJackie]

6. Very distinctive and memorable flute and the "Vibraslap" sound effect/instrument.

[Squinch]

7. Well... that just sent me all over youtube to listen to Laura Nyro songs.

Don't ask me, cause I ain't gonna tell you what I've been drinking.

[NurseJackie]

8. I've popped a cork too. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all get together?

[Squinch]

10. Yes it would!

[WestMichRad]

9. I've ridden that surf!

...chasing down Nyro tunes. Time well spent: she wrote some great songs!