There are two bands called 'The Rascals'.

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.

Island of Love
The Rascals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Have you ever been on the Island of Love, yeah yeah
In love with somebody sent down from above?

There's people smiling at you everywhere (everywhere)
The smell of sweet flowers filling up the air (filling up the air)
Birds singing love songs so tenderly
It's like being together in the Garden of Eden
Loving somebody gives your life a new meaning

Have you ever been on the Island of Love, yeah yeah
In love with somebody sent down from above?

Sun shining brightly every single day (every day)
Happy laughing children all along your way (all along your way)
Ain't a bit of sadness nowhere to be found
You're a touched-off rocket set to leave the ground
Nothing in this world is gonna keep you down

Uh huh huh
Oh

All it takes is a hand to hold (hand to hold)
You'll feel like a flower ready to unfold (ready to unfold)
Sit her down, take a look in her eyes
Boat leaving for paradise
Hearts together, let your soul entwine

If you've never been on the Island of Love, come on
Yeah
I'll tell you how to get there
All you really need is someone
Come on
Have you ever been on the Island?
Yeah, you know I've on the Island

Have you ever been on the Island?
Yeah, yeah
Have you ever been?
Yeah
Yeah
Oh
On an island
Let me take you to the Island
Of love

Overall Meaning

The Rascals's song Island of Love paints a vivid picture of a dreamy paradise that is the Island of Love. It is a place that is filled with love, joy, and happiness. The song describes the island as a peaceful haven where the sun shines brightly every day, happy children play along your way, and there is not even a bit of sadness to be found. There is a sense of serenity and contentment that one experiences when they go to this island. The aroma of sweet flowers fills the air, and the birds tenderly sing love songs, making it feel like one is in the Garden of Eden. The island represents true love, a kind of love that is pure, unspoiled, and divine. Love rejuvenates and redefines one's life. It gives a new meaning to life and makes everything worthwhile.

The lyrics emphasize the importance of having someone to love on the Island of Love. All it takes is a hand to hold, a person who will make one feel like a flower ready to unfold. The song makes it clear that one can easily reach the Island of Love if they have someone to share their journey with. The two souls can entwine and experience the paradise together, setting their hearts on fire and lifting their spirits.

In conclusion, the Island of Love represents a place of beauty, where love reigns supreme. The song provides an escape from the chaos of the world and brings listeners to an idyllic place where they can experience love, joy, and hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Have you ever been on the Island of Love, yeah yeah
Have you experienced being in love with someone who feels like they were sent down from heaven?

In love with somebody sent down from above?
Being in love with a person who seems to be heaven-sent.

There's people smiling at you everywhere (everywhere)
Everyone greets you with a smile everywhere on the island.

The smell of sweet flowers filling up the air (filling up the air)
The air is perfumed with the scent of delicate flowers.

Birds singing love songs so tenderly
The birds serenade with soft, affectionate melodies.

It's like being together in the Garden of Eden
The experience is reminiscent of the paradise that is Garden of Eden.

Loving somebody gives your life a new meaning
Being in love makes life have a different, fulfilling meaning.

Sun shining brightly every single day (every day)
The weather is perfect, and the sun is always shining brightly.

Happy laughing children all along your way (all along your way)
Children are laughing and playing, filling the island with joy.

Ain't a bit of sadness nowhere to be found
There is no place for sadness on the island.

You're a touched-off rocket set to leave the ground
Love makes you feel so invigorated as if you could fly and achieve anything.

Nothing in this world is gonna keep you down
The power of love gives you the strength to overcome anything.

All it takes is a hand to hold (hand to hold)
Just holding hands with the one you love is enough to make you feel contented.

You'll feel like a flower ready to unfold (ready to unfold)
Being in love makes you feel like a flower waiting to bloom and grow into something beautiful.

Sit her down, take a look in her eyes
Sit with your love, and gaze into each other's eyes with heartfelt emotions.

Boat leaving for paradise
Escape on a boat that's headed towards a paradise dream.

Hearts together, let your soul entwine
Unite your hearts and enmesh your souls together in true love.

If you've never been on the Island of Love, come on
If you haven't experienced true love, join us on our journey to the Island of Love.

Yeah
Agreement or confirmation.

I'll tell you how to get there
I'll guide you on the path to reach there.

All you really need is someone
All you need is to find and share the love with someone special.

Come on
Invitation or gentle encouragement to join in on the experience.

Yeah, you know I've on the Island
The singer confirms that they have already experienced the Island of Love.

Have you ever been on the Island?
Have you ever had the chance to be on the Island of Love?

Yeah, yeah
Agreement or confirmation.

Have you ever been?
Have you ever experienced this magical place?