Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), Dino Danelli (drums) and Eddie Brigati (vocals) formed the band in New York City. Three-quarters of the group - Felix, Gene, and Eddie - had previously been members of Joey Dee and the Starliters. Eddie's brother, David Brigati, another former Starliter, arranged 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 they already had another obscure group named the Rascals on the payroll. They decided to rename the group the Young Rascals.
Their first minor hit was "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore" (1965), followed by the #1 single "Good Lovin'" (1966, originally by the Olympics). Soon the band began to mature as songwriters and released other hit songs written themselves, including the hit "Groovin'" (1967), "It's Wonderful", "How Can I Be Sure" (which got to #1 in the UK when covered by David Cassidy), and "A Beautiful Morning" (1968).
Their best-remembered song was "People Got to Be Free" (1968), a passionate plea for racial tolerance. Unusual for their time, the Rascals refused to tour on segregrated bills. After "People Got to Be Free", the Rascals never regained their former fame or had as large a hit.
In 1970, Eddie Brigati left the group, followed by Cornish in 1971. The last album with them as active members was Search & Nearness, which featured Eddie 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(#57 in the US), with backing vocals by The Sweet Inspirations. Cavaliere and Danelli released two more albums as The Rascals, Peaceful World and The Island Of Real, using other musicians and singers. They 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.
The (Young) Rascals were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
A Place In The Sun
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
movin' on, movin' on.
Like a branch on a tree I keep reachin' to be free,
movin' on, movin' on.
'Cause there's a place in the sun where there's hope for ev'ry one,
where my poor restless heart's gotta run.
Theres' a place in the sun and before my life is done,
Like an old dusty road
I get weary from the load,
movin' on, movin' on.
Like this tired troubled earth
I've been rollin' since my birth,
movin' on, movin' on.
'Cause there's a place in the sun where there's hope for ev'ry one,
where my poor restless heart's gotta run.
Theres' a place in the sun and before my life is done,
Got to find me a place in the sun.
The lyrics to The Young Rascals' song "A Place In The Sun" express the concept of moving forward to find a place of happiness and fulfillment. The singer compares himself to "a long lonely stream" and "an old dusty road," both of which continue on their paths despite obstacles and hardships. He uses the metaphor of a tree branch reaching for freedom to express his longing to break free from whatever is holding him back.
The chorus repeats the phrase "There's a place in the sun where there's hope for every one," emphasizing the idea that there is a better future awaiting him. He speaks of the need to find this place before his life is over, suggesting that time is of the essence in pursuing one's dreams.
Overall, the lyrics convey a message of perseverance and hope, encouraging listeners to keep pushing forward in search of the best possible outcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Like a long lonely stream I keep runnin' towards a dream,
I feel like I'm traveling alone towards my dreams, and I'm always moving forward.
movin' on, movin' on.
I'm constantly pushing forward, not allowing myself to become stagnant.
Like a branch on a tree I keep reachin' to be free,
I'm trying to break free from restraints, like a branch reaching for the sky.
movin' on, movin' on.
My desire for freedom and growth keeps propelling me forward.
'Cause there's a place in the sun where there's hope for ev'ry one,
I believe there's a place of happiness and positivity for everyone to find.
where my poor restless heart's gotta run.
My heart longs for this place of hope, and I will keep searching for it.
Theres' a place in the sun and before my life is done,
I'm determined to find that place of hope and happiness before my life is over.
Got to find me a place in the sun.
I feel confident that I will find my place of hope and positivity if I keep moving forward with determination.
Like an old dusty road I get weary from the load,
Sometimes my journey can be long and tiring, and I feel weighed down.
movin' on, movin' on.
But I refuse to let that weariness stop me from pushing forward and seeking my place in the sun.
Like this tired troubled earth I've been rollin' since my birth,
I feel like I've been traveling through a troubled world my whole life, always trying to find my place.
movin' on, movin' on.
But even with the challenges and obstacles, I won't give up my search for that place of hope and happiness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bryan Wells, Ronald N. Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@angelof2941
Eddie killed it on the vocals and Felix is really jammin on that Hammond—-this song should’ve been a hit!
@suebroski7479
Rascals are still the best and Felix and Gene still perform❤❤❤❤
@jerryk.1570
JESPER...Listened to this song over and over when I was about 12-13; 66 NOW!!! The Rascals were fabulous then and I still enjoy listening today.
@masamasa227
from Japan!
Japanese artist SHOGO HAMADA
I liked "a place in the sun", so when I looked it up, I found out that it was the rascals version, and I found it! Thank you very much!
@suebroski7479
I love Eddie's voice in this song.
@stillstanding6031
Love you, Eddie. You're the best.
@philiptucci2458
Very beautiful piece of music, legendary Hall of Fame group, Eddie & Felix are great singers
@jesperpoullarsen8061
I bought this record when it first came out here in Denmark back in 1967 (I still got it!). I just love its sound and will ever do (I'm 70 now!)
@dianeherk2359
I love it
@irishlamb4018
I bought it in 1968 Frankfurt Germany Iwas a 18 year old soldier in the army still love hearing it.