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.
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
Carrie Nixon
I’m grooving on a Monday afternoon. Oldies classic. 💚
Rodinei Campos da Silveira
#1 on the Billboard Hot 100, in 1967.
2000toddowen
Listened to this being played on "Soul Town" about 6am this morning while driving in to work. Thinking that of all songs , this is probably about the most pleasant one to hear in the early morning that I can remember.
As the song was ending, I saw a deer get hit by a car about a 150 yards ahead. Twitching in the median. Several cars stopped, but I passed by and continued on in to work.
"Well...That's certainly nothing like I remember this song.", I thought.
木倉谷哲也
Lyrics:
Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
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
Movin’ down a crowded avenue
Doin’ anything we like to do
There’s always lots of things that we can see
We can be anyone we like to be
And all those happy people we could meet just
Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn’t get away too soon
No, no, no, no
(Ah-ah-ahh, ah-ah-ahh, ah-ah-ahh)
We’ll keep on spending sunny days this way
We’re gonna talk and laugh our time away
I feel it coming closer day by day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly
Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn’t get away too soon
No, no, no, no
Groovin’ (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Groovin’ (uh-huh, uh-huh)
Robert Hobbs
What a year that was. sent to Nam and heard this at the playing on the radio on the way to the airport.
Barry I. Grauman
The "45: mono copy has a slightly different harmonica background than the stereo {LP} version.
Barry I. Grauman
And THERE you have the difference!
wmbrown6
Played on the mono by Michael Weinstein, and way differently (as you could imagine) on the stereo by Gene Cornish.
Miguel Colon
Izzy loves cool rock music 🎸 🎶 💘 Enjoy 1967.
JaneLee Keller
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank You AP,
JaneLee 🕊️
10/2/20