The Five Americans - Western Union (1967)

Originally known as The Mutineers, this group first got together in Durant, Oklahoma, in 1962, at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Under the leadership of Mike Rabon, they released a chain of hit songs: “I See the Light,” “Evol-Not Love,” and their biggest hit, heard below. By 1969, the group split with each member going their own way.

This song, heard below and the group’s biggest hit, was inspired by a Western Union telegram sign. It sold over a million copies, reached number five on the Billboard charts in March of 1967, and was played by the group on numerous variety television shows.

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A Special Edition post with Mike Rabon of The Five Americans!
Today’s post is our first special edition! The lead singer, lead guitarist, and co-writer of all The Five Americans’ songs, Mike Rabon, was kind enough to share his memories with A Bit Like You And Me. Here’s Mike:

A Bit Like You And Me and readers,

We [The Five Americans] were playing on Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Stage in Anaheim, California, where we had to ride a hydraulic platform that rose up so that we would “suddenly” appear out of nowhere before the audience. A green light would come on in our dressing room when it was time to board the platform.

One performance, none of us noticed the green light- (I won’t tell you why). Anyway, the platform went up without us and the announcer gave a roaring introduction:

“AND NOW DISNEYLAND IS PROUD TO PRESENT: THE FIVE AMERICANS!”

Applause broke out and quickly turned to laughter as the stage reached the top with nothing on it except our equipment.

The stage came back down, we got on, and this time appeared to thunderous applause!!!

-Mike

A huge thanks to Mike for taking the time to share some ‘60s music history!

Be sure to check out TheFiveAmericans.com and pick up a copy of Mike's new memoir book, High Strung, on Amazon!


And now that you've enjoyed this exclusive story, why not check out what other exclusive stories we've received?

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The Five Americans - Western Union (1967)

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Lyrics:

Things went wrong today
Bad news came my way
I woke up to find
A wire had blew my mind

Western Union man
Bad news in his hand
Knocking at my door
Selling me the score

Fifteen cents a word to read
A telegram I didn't need
Said she doesn't care no more
Think I'll throw it on the floor

Got your cable just today
Killed my groove, I've got to say

Western Union
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)

Now you've gone away and
How it's sad to say you've gone
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)

I remember what they said
Now I'm going out of my head
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)

Telegram just had to say
You've learned your lesson all the way

Telegram just had to say
You've learned your lesson all the way

Western Union
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)

I'll be on my way 'cause
There's another girl for me
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)

I'll be sure of her and
Things will be as they were
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Western Union, oh, Western Union)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)
(Western Union, oh, Western Union)
(Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da)…