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.
Look Around
The Rascals Lyrics
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Look around
See the wonderful world on the ground
Look around
Look around
Everything is upside down
Bigotry, hate and fear Got ten million votes this year
But law and order won
Tune in to the royal scene
Sex is Queen, King nicotine
Rule in the land of the free
So look around
Look around
Maybe then you'll understand
Look around, you got to
Look around
Maybe you can lend a hand
Violence on the TV screen
Guns and Ammo magazine
Painting pretty pictures for you
"Hello"'s a word for telephones
Bigger locks on smaller homes
Panthers and pussycats, too
Uh huh, look around
Look around
How much longer can it really go on?
Look around, look, look
Look around
Wake up, put your head back on
It seems there is nothing to bring us together
To believe in with all of your heart
We've all got that something that's deep down inside of us
Love's not a dirty word
That's just the way it's heard
Let me prove it to you
Look around
Look around
In all the world's cities and towns
Look around
Look around
The old walls are tumbling down
There's a new way of living to be found
Every flower, each tree, and each sound
Tells you 'bout the love that's around
And you can find it
Look around
It's down inside
Look around
The Rascals's song "Look Around" is a critical reflection on the state of American society during the 60s, particularly focusing on the impact of media and politics. The song opens with a call to "look around" and see "the wonderful world on the ground," but quickly turns to highlight the problematic elements of society. The first verse speaks to the rise of political bigotry and fear, as "ten million votes" were gained with "hate and fear" as driving forces, but the eventual win of "law and order" prevails. The second verse points to the effects of media and consumerism on culture, with violence, guns, and commercialism being prominent themes. The song then shifts to a call for unity and for people to look beyond the negative aspects of society and understand the potential for positive change. The final lyrics speak to the power of love and its potential to bring people together and create a new way of living.
Overall, "Look Around" speaks to the need for societal change and challenges listeners to take a closer look at the world around them. The lyrics are critical of American politics, consumer culture, and media, while also offering hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Look around
Pay attention to your surroundings
Look around
Take a second look at the world
See the wonderful world on the ground
The world is full of beauty
Everything is upside down
Things are not always as they seem
Bigotry, hate and fear
Negative emotions that are prevalent
Got ten million votes this year
People are voting with hate and prejudice
But law and order won
Despite the negativity, order is maintained
Tune in to the royal scene
Focus on the glamorous aspects of life
Sex is Queen, King nicotine
People get addicted to sex and smoking
Rule in the land of the free
These vices are dominating our so-called free country
Maybe then you'll understand
You'll gain understanding through observation
Maybe you can lend a hand
Help will be needed to change things
Violence on the TV screen
TV is full of violent content
Guns and Ammo magazine
Even magazines glamorize guns
Painting pretty pictures for you
Media tries to make negative things seem appealing
"Hello"'s a word for telephones
Phone calls are different than in-person interactions
Bigger locks on smaller homes
People feel unsafe and need to protect themselves
Panthers and pussycats, too
People with different beliefs coexist
How much longer can it really go on?
The status quo is unsustainable
Wake up, put your head back on
People need to come to their senses
It seems there is nothing to bring us together
It looks like we're totally divided
To believe in with all of your heart
People need something to truly believe in
We've all got that something that's deep down inside of us
Everybody has a deeper purpose or calling
Love's not a dirty word
Love is something pure
That's just the way it's heard
Love has been looked down upon
Let me prove it to you
Let me demonstrate the power of love
In all the world's cities and towns
Love is universal
The old walls are tumbling down
Traditional barriers are breaking down
There's a new way of living to be found
We need a new way of thinking and acting
Every flower, each tree, and each sound
Nature shows us the beauty of love
Tells you 'bout the love that's around
Love is all around us
And you can find it
We all have access to love
Look around
Observe your surroundings
It's down inside
Love is within us all
Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.