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.
Good Lovin'
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Good lovin')
(Good lovin')
(Good lovin')
I was feelin' so bad
I asked my family doctor just what I had
I said, "Doctor
Mr. M.D.
(Doctor)
Now can you tell me, tell me, tell me
What's ailin' me?"
(Doctor )
He said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yes, indeed, all you really need
(Is good lovin')
Gimme that good, good lovin'
(Good lovin')
All I need is lovin'
(Good lovin')
Good lovin', baby
Baby please, squeeze me tight (squeeze me tight)
Now don't you want your baby to feel alright? (Feel alright)
I said baby (baby) now it's for sure (it's for sure)
I got the fever, baby, baby, but you've got the cure
(You've got the cure)
I said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yes, indeed, all I really need
(Is good lovin')
Gimme that good, good lovin'
(Good lovin')
All I need is lovin'
(Good lovin')
Good lovin', baby
The Young Rascals' song "Good Lovin'" is a catchy and upbeat track that centers around the theme of love being the cure for one's ailments. The song opens with the counting of "1-2-3" before launching into the chorus of "good lovin'" being repeated three times. The first verse starts off with the singer feeling ill and seeking medical attention from a doctor. He asks the doctor to diagnose what is wrong with him, to which the doctor responds by saying all he needs is love. The second half of the song features the singer asking his partner to give him the good lovin' he needs to feel better, and stating that she has the cure for his fever.
The song's message is simple but effective - that love and attention from a romantic partner can provide the necessary cure for the problems we face. The repetition of "good lovin'" in the chorus creates a catchy and memorable hook that makes the song easily recognizable. Furthermore, the upbeat tempo and horn section help to solidify this feeling of energy and excitement, lending to the overall positive mood of the track.
In conclusion, "Good Lovin'" by The Young Rascals is an upbeat and catchy song that celebrates the power of love and togetherness as the cure for our problems. By repeating the phrase "good lovin'" throughout the song, the band creates a memorable and recognizable hook that makes it a beloved classic to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
1-2-3
Counting in to start the song
(Good lovin')
Repetition of the title to emphasize the topic of the song
(Good lovin')
Continuation of the repetition
(Good lovin')
Final repetition of the title
I was feelin' so bad
The singer is experiencing negative emotions
I asked my family doctor just what I had
The singer seeks professional medical advice
I said, "Doctor
Addressing the doctor
(Doctor)
Repetition of the doctor's title
Mr. M.D.
Using another title for the doctor
(Doctor)
Repetition of the doctor's title
Now can you tell me, tell me, tell me
Asking for clear understanding
What's ailin' me?"
Asking about the singer's health problems
(Doctor )
Repeating the doctor's title
He said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
The doctor is answering affirmatively
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Repetition of the doctor's affirmation
Yes, indeed, all you really need
The doctor identifies a solution
(Is good lovin')
Repeating the title
Gimme that good, good lovin'
Asking for the solution and emphasizing the topic of the song
(Good lovin')
Repetition of the title
All I need is lovin'
The singer acknowledges their need for love
(Good lovin')
Repetition of the title
Good lovin', baby
Finalizing the topic of the song and using a pet name for the addressed person
Baby please, squeeze me tight (squeeze me tight)
The singer is asking for affectionate physical touch
Now don't you want your baby to feel alright? (Feel alright)
The singer is asking for reassurance and emotional support
I said baby (baby) now it's for sure (it's for sure)
Addressing the addressed person with repetition and emphasizing the fact
I got the fever, baby, baby, but you've got the cure
The singer expresses their romantic love and need for the addressed person
I said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Repeating the affirmation
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Repetition of affirmation
Yes, indeed, all I really need
Personalizing the doctor's solution
(Is good lovin')
Repeating and emphasizing the solution
Gimme that good, good lovin'
Repeating the asking for good lovin'
(Good lovin')
Final repetition of the title
All I need is lovin'
Final repeating of the recognition of a need for love
(Good lovin')
Final repetition of the title
Good lovin', baby
Final repetition of the topic and the use of a pet name for the addressee
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Round Hill Music Big Loud Songs
Written by: Artie Resnick, Rudy Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mindwrencher
When Rock and Roll...ROCKED!!
@SiouxW4rrior3856
And the hippie culture
@terryplanton5213
@Flip Miller And the juvenile punks could learn a LOT about REAL rock from us "Dads".
@robertsansone1680
I'm not saying that this is the greatest song of the sixties BUT! No other song brings back as many memories or makes me happier than this one. I love this song. Bob
@davidmaslow399
I do too!
@jeboccuzzi10
Ditto. I was 8 yo when it came out.
@johnnysullivan436
It's tied for 1st
@oldermusiclover
@@jeboccuzzi10 boy do I feel old
@kanini43
@@jeboccuzzi10 I was 13. 😍👍🏼
@hansjolen6087
You're not getting depressed hearing this song. What a boost!