1) The Rascals (initially … Read Full Bio ↴There are two bands called 'The Rascals'.
1) The Rascals (initially known as The Young Rascals) were an American soul and rock group of the 1960s. Eddie Brigati (vocals), Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar) and Dino Danelli (drums) started the band in Brigati and Danelli's native state New Jersey. Their first public performance took place at the Choo Choo Club in Garfield on Saturday, February 27th, 1965. Three-quarters of the group - Brigati, Cavaliere and Cornish - had previously been members of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Eddie's brother, David Brigati, an original Starliter, helped arrange the vocal harmonies and sang backgrounds on many of the group's recordings (informally earning the designation as the Fifth Rascal). When Atlantic Records signed them, they discovered that another group (Borrah Minevitch's and Johnny Puleo's Harmonica Rascals) objected to the release of records under the name Rascals. To avoid conflict, manager Sid Bernstein decided to rename the group the Young Rascals.
The Young Rascals had a minor hit with "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" (1965), followed by the #1 single "Good Lovin'" (1966, originally by The Olympics). Then the band's songwriting team of Brigati and Cavaliere began providing most of their songs, and the hits kept coming for the next two years, including "I've Been Lonely Too Long", "You Better Run", "Groovin'" (#1, 1967), "It's Wonderful", "A Girl Like You", "How Can I Be Sure?" (which David Cassidy would record in 1972 for a #1 hit in the United Kingdom) and "A Beautiful Morning" (1968).
Guitarist Gene Cornish provided several songs of his own, such as "I'm Gonna Love You" and "No Love To Give."
In early 1968, the group dropped the "Young" from their name.
The Rascals' best work arguably came from their 1968 album Once Upon A Dream, which featured several leads each from Brigati and Cavaliere. Though the only success for a single on the album was "It's Wonderful" (#20 on the US charts), the album utilized frequent instrumentals, and peaked at #9 on the album charts. The album was praised by some critics for such songs as "Rainy Day", "My World" and the title track. Understandably, the song "My Hawaii" became a top of the charts hit in Hawaii.
Time Peace: The Rascals' Greatest Hits, released in mid-1968, topped the album chart and became the group's best-selling album. The same year, "People Got to Be Free", a horn-punctuated plea for racial tolerance (the band was known for refusing to tour on segregated bills) and their third U.S. #1 single, was also their final Top Ten hit.
Later singles and albums were not as popular, with only two top-40 releases in 1969, and none afterward.
In 1970, Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 1971. The last album with them as active members was Search & Nearness (hitting #198 in the U.S.), which featured Brigati's last performances as a member singing lead on the Cornish-penned "You Don't Know" and their cover of The Box Tops hit "The Letter". The only single release from the album was the spiritually-themed "Glory, Glory" (#58 in the US), with backing vocals by The Sweet Inspirations.
Cavaliere shifted toward more jazz and gospel influenced writing; he and Danelli released two more albums on Columbia Records as The Rascals, Peaceful World (U.S. #122) and The Island Of Real (U.S. #180), using other musicians and singers. These albums didn't sell as well as their earlier work and the group finally disbanded in 1972.
Cavaliere released several solo albums throughout the 1970s. Brigati, with his brother David, released Lost in the Wilderness in 1976. Cornish and Danelli worked together in other groups, including Bulldog and Fotomaker. In 1982, Cavaliere and Danelli joined Steve Van Zandt in Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul for the group's first two albums.
2) The Rascals were a three-piece indie rock band made of Miles Kane (guitar/vocals), Joe Edwards (bass), and Greg Mighall (drums). Hailing from the Wirral, on Merseyside, these three 21 year olds spent years learning their craft as part of The Little Flames, touring with bands like The Coral, The Zutons, and, most notably, the Arctic Monkeys. It was during this time supporting the Arctic Monkeys, inspired by their maverick, DIY spirit and refusal to comprise, the three youngest Flames decided it was time to trust their hearts and their instincts and go it alone.
In September 2006, they began jamming and writing new material as a three piece, and there was born The Rascals. Impressed by the raw energy and virtuosity of Miles’ playing, singer-songwriter Alex Turner approached him and suggested that he play lead guitar on a new Arctic Monkeys’ tune called "505". The Rascals were immediately signed to Deltasonic Records and played their first gig supporting Turner's band at Cardiff International Arena in June 2007.
August 2009, frontman Miles Kane confirmed that he left the band to pursue a solo career. The band was discontinued. Although receiving some commercial success by himself, fans of the group have kept the flame burning for reunions.
Carry Me Back
The Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Fore I left to be a grown man way back then
I miss the wooden kitchen floor
Painted brown to match the old back door
In my old Kentucky home where I belong
Carry me back
Carry me back
I'm goin' back where I come from
Something I read one day
Might have heard somebody say
Made me leave a happy home
Fortune waitin' in the city
Pretty women just like in the movies
Craziest mess you ever want to see
Carry me back
Carry me back
Carry me back ain't nothin' here for me
I want to get back home
Take me back where I belong
Lord Almighty I sure learned a lot
Enough to send me back where I come from
To that old Kentucky home where I belong
The Rascals’ “Carry Me Back” is a poignant and nostalgic song that speaks to the longing for home and a simpler time. The opening lyrics, “Oh for the pillow where my head used to lay / ‘Fore I left to be a grown man way back then” express a longing for the comfort and security of childhood, before the weight of adulthood set in. The lyrics go on to describe the singer’s memories of home, specifically the wooden kitchen floor and the old back door painted brown.
The chorus of the song, “Carry me back / Carry me back / Carry me back I been away so long / I'm goin' back where I come from,” expresses the desire to return to the place of origin and find solace in one’s roots. The verses describe the reason for leaving home in the first place - a desire for fortune and excitement in the city, which the singer realizes was not as glamorous as he had hoped. The final verse, “Lord Almighty I sure learned a lot / Enough to send me back where I come from / To that old Kentucky home where I belong” expresses the singer’s gratitude for the lessons he’s learned, but his ultimate desire to return home.
The lyrics of “Carry Me Back” paint a vivid picture of the tension between leaving home and longing to return, a universal theme that many listeners can relate to. The use of poetic imagery and the heartfelt delivery of the vocals by Eddie Brigati make this song a classic that has stood the test of time.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh for the pillow where my head used to lay
I miss the comfort of my past life, namely the specific pillow I used to sleep on.
'Fore I left to be a grown man way back then
When I left my home to become a grown man, I didn't realize what I was giving up.
I miss the wooden kitchen floor
I long for the familiarity of the wooden kitchen floor from my old home.
Painted brown to match the old back door
The brown color of the wooden floor matched the color of the back door in my old home.
In my old Kentucky home where I belong
I feel like I truly belong in my old Kentucky home.
Carry me back
I want to return home and need someone to help me get there.
Carry me back
I need assistance in getting back to where I truly belong.
Carry me back I been away so long
I've been away from my home for a long time and want to be taken back there.
I'm goin' back where I come from
I'm determined to return to my roots and where I belong.
Something I read one day
Something I read or someone said influenced my decision to leave home.
Might have heard somebody say
It's possible that I was influenced to leave home by something someone said.
Made me leave a happy home
Something influenced my decision to leave my happy home.
Fortune waitin' in the city
I left home in search of wealth and success in the city.
Pretty women just like in the movies
I was attracted to the idea of being surrounded by beautiful women like in the movies.
Craziest mess you ever want to see
However, the city life is chaotic and emotionally draining.
Carry me back
I need help returning to my old life back home.
Carry me back
I need assistance in departing the life I currently have and returning to my roots.
Carry me back ain't nothin' here for me
I don't find anything that is truly fulfilling in my current situation.
I want to get back home
I am eager to return to where I truly belong - my home.
Lord Almighty I sure learned a lot
I have been through a lot and gained new experiences and insights.
Enough to send me back where I come from
I have had enough of my current life, and it is time to return home where I can use my newfound knowledge and experiences.
To that old Kentucky home where I belong
Returning to my old Kentucky home is where I truly belong and find purpose and happiness.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FELIX CAVALIERE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind