Written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and with a lead vocal from Cavaliere, it is indeed a slow, relaxed groove, based on Cavaliere's newfound interest in Afro-Cuban music. Instrumentation included a conga, harmonica, and an effective, Cuban-based bass guitar line from ace session musician Chuck Rainey. The result was fairly different from the Rascals' white soul origins, enough so that Atlantic Records head Jerry Wexler did not want to release "Groovin'".
Lyrically, "Groovin'" is themed around a highly romantic portrayal of a couple in love:
Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly ...
Groovin' ... on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon —
The single became an instant hit in May 1967, bounding up the charts and then spending four weeks atop the Billboard pop singles chart. It was RIAA-certified a gold record on June 13, 1967. Showing it (and the group's) crossover appeal, it also reached number 3 on the Billboard Black Songs chart chart [1]. "Groovin" was soon recorded by the likes of Booker T. & the M.G.'s (1967), Petula Clark (1967), Aretha Franklin (1968), Gladys Knight & the Pips (1968), Willie Mitchell (1969), and Marvin Gaye (1969). Finally, "Groovin'" was the only real hit the group ever had in the United Kingdom, reaching number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Groovin'" was subsequently included on The Young Rascals' late July 1967 album Groovin', but with a different harmonica riff.
"Groovin'" is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and is also the recipient of a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.
Co-writer Eddie Brigati and his brother David, as the group Brigati, recorded a dance version of "Groovin'" for their 1976 album Lost in the Wilderness after Eddie left the Rascals.
Two decades later, "Groovin'" was recorded by Pato Banton and it became a top 20 hit in the UK for him in 1996.
Groovin'
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Really couldn't get away too soon
I can't imagine anything that's better
The world is ours whenever we're together
There ain't a place I'd like to be instead of
Groovin', down a crowded avenue
There's always lots of things that we can see
We can be anyone we want to be
And all those happy people we could meet just
Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon
Ah-ha-ha
Ah-ha-ha
Ah-ha-ha
We'll keep on spending sunny days this way
We're gonna talk and laugh our time away
I feel it comin' closer day by day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly
Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon
Ah-ha-ha
Ah-ha-ha
Ah-ha-ha
The Young Rascals's song, "Groovin'" talks about enjoying the little things in life with your loved ones. The lyrics describe a moment on a Sunday afternoon where the singer and their partner were "groovin'" down the street, just soaking up the city and the scenery. They feel completely content with each other's company and wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
The singer reflects on the fact that there is nothing better than being with someone you love, the entire world becomes yours, and you can be anyone and go anywhere together. They describe the many happy people they can meet and the great things they can experience.
They continue to spend the sunny days together, talking, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. The excitement of spending their lives together becomes more tangible each day, and they can feel life's ecstasy. The song ends reiterating the joy they feel and how even though they have had a great day, they couldn't get away too soon.
Line by Line Meaning
Groovin', on a Sunday afternoon
Enjoying a relaxing time with my loved one on a lazy Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon
The time spent together is too precious to cut it short
I can't imagine anything that's better
This experience is perfect and cannot be improved
The world is ours whenever we're together
When we're together, we feel like we can conquer anything
There ain't a place I'd like to be instead of
There is no other place I'd rather be than with my loved one right now
Groovin', down a crowded avenue
Walking hand in hand on a busy street, feeling carefree and happy
Doin' anything we like to do
Being able to do anything we want and having fun while doing it
There's always lots of things that we can see
There's an abundance of opportunities and experiences waiting for us to discover
We can be anyone we want to be
We can feel free to express ourselves and be whoever we want to be
And all those happy people we could meet just
There's a chance to make new friends and connect with other happy people
We'll keep on spending sunny days this way
We will continue to enjoy these happy moments together
We're gonna talk and laugh our time away
We will share our thoughts, feelings and happiness with each other
I feel it comin' closer day by day
I sense that our bond is growing stronger and deeper each day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly
The feeling of happiness and love we share together is beyond words
Ah-ha-ha
Expressing our joy and excitement with laughter
Ah-ha-ha
The feeling of happiness is contagious
Ah-ha-ha
We will continue to enjoy these happy moments together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Edward Brigati, Felix Cavaliere
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EarthWindandFirepower0990
IF YOU LISTENING TO THIS RIGHT NOW AND YOU LIKE ME WERE BORN BEFORE 1965,YOU ARE A LIVING LEGEND
@glennmaciver-allan7320
I'm just an old fart, 1952
@robinchesterfield42
Oh dangit. I succeeded in HALF of that. :P
@FigmentSALabel
If you say so. I'm a living legend!
@jacquelinerussell8530
IM in that club
@rozita4547
That's right!
@thehaydenwaltbradleychanne702
Why doesn't this type of music come back? The music today sounds nothing like this. I'm only 19, but I guess I'll be forever Groovin' in the past.
@Darth_Uchiha47
Me too. I’m 25 and I can’t get enough of the 60s.
@Peterelias1854
You have good taste youngstet yoday's music sucks.
@jskypercussion
The music of the 50's and 60's was magical and heartfelt. We will never see it again because society has been social engineered. I am 32, I thought my generation was doomed. Damn you teenagers and you early 20 year Olds are in for complete devastation. I would love to be able to show you some things. If you already haven't. Watch the first 2 seasons of haply days, American Graffiti and More American Graffiti, The Wanderers, Lord's Of Flatbush, and the Outsiders. Listen to the 50's and 60's music. Listen to the Jazz Fusion and Prog Rock of the 70's. The last of real pop radio music was the new wave of the 80's. Listen to rare bands like The Church, the
Wild Swans, they have a 60's flare.