Aphrodite's Child - It's Five O'Clock

Introduction

The success of the first album “End Of The World” called for the release of a next, so Vangelis, Demis and Lucas returned to the studio. What was not possible a year earlier now finally happened, the three Greeks, still astonished with their sudden success, traveled to London to record new songs with sessions in Trident Studios in Soho, from the 16 to 21st of June 1969. Only half of the songs for the new album were recorded there (among others 'It’s Five O’Clock'), the rest of the songs were recorded later in the “Europa Sonor” studio with the help of engineer Roger Roche.

In advance of the upcoming album the song 'Let Me Love, Let Me Live' was released on a 7” single on the 20th of October 1969. While the song did very well in France and reached 2nd position in the charts, it is the b-side 'Marie Jolie' that became more popular in the rest of Europe. On the 27th of November 1969 Aphrodite’s Child released their second album “It’s Five O’Clock” and it is a hit all over Europe. Most of the songs were again written by Vangelis, with exception of 'Let Me Love, Let Me Live' (Lucas) and 'Annabella' (Demis).

The title song 'It's Five O'Clock', backed with 'Funky Mary', was released as the second 7” single from this album on the 29th of December 1969, and did very well in the charts of many European countries, reaching the first position in France in Italy!

A third single made it off the album in 1970 and 1971 with the release of 'Such A Funny Night'. In different countries the 7" single was backed with different songs. Even though the group was now receiving worldwide acknowlegment and reaching unprecedented popularity, the tension between Vangelis, Demis and Lucas was growing, which would ultimately lead to a break after the recording of their third and final album “666”.

Two songs from the recording sessions did not get included on the album. One of these, the instrumental 'Pathenon' did however get released in 2003 on the compilation CD “Aphrodite’s Child – The Singles+”. The song 'Try To See' unfortunately remains unreleased until this day.

Tracklist and credits

It's Five O'Clock
Wake Up
Take Your Time
Annabella
Let Me Love, Let Me Live
Funky Mary
Good Time So Fine
Marie Jolie
Such A Funny Night

All songs composed by Vangelis Papathanassiou, except 'Annabella' by Demis Roussos and 'Let Me Love, Let Me Live' by Lucas Sideras.
Lyrics by Richard Francis (1, 2, 3, 5 and 8), R. Adams (4 and 9), Lucas Sideras (6) and V. Johnson (7).

Discography

1969 Mercury 138 351 France. Also issued in Canada, Greece, Israel, Italy, Japan, Libanon, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

1996 Mercury 532 953-2 Greece
2004 Mercury UICY-9372 Japan
2010 Esoteric Recordings ECLEC 2206 UK
2023 Cobalt Music 05206 99903628 9 Greece

7” single

1969 Let Me Love, Let Me Live / Marie Jolie (Mercury 132 506 MCF) France. Released worldwide, e.g. in The Netherlands, West-Germany and Portugal.
1970 It's Five O'Clock / Funky Mary (Mercury 132 508 MCF) France. Released worldwide, e.g. in Belgium, The Netherlands, West-Germany, Italy, Singapore and Brasil.
1971 Such A Funny Night, released worldwide, e.g. in Belgium, The Netherlands, West-Germany, Lebanon and Portugal.

1970 It's Five O'Clock / Good Times So Fine / Take Your Time / Annabella (Mercury 26017 MCE) Portugal

Recording studio

The music for this album is recorded in Trident Studio in London, and Europa Sonor Studio in Paris. France.

More info

Like to know more about the history of the band? Read the story of Aphrodite’s Child.
Aphrodite’s Child produced two more albums: "End Of The World" (1969) and "666" (1972).
Read all about the non-album music and video releases of Aphrodite’s Child.

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