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.
How Can I Be Sure
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can I be sure where I stand with you?
Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
I wanna die 'cause you know I wanna stay with you.
How do I know? Maybe you're trying to use me.
Flying too high can confuse me. Touch me but don't take me down.
My alibi is telling people I don't care for you.
Maybe I'm just hanging around with my head up upside down.
It's a pity, I can't seem to find someone who's as pretty
and lovely as you.
How can I be sure? I really really really wanna know.
I really really really wanna know. Oh.
How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
How can I be sure? I'll be sure with you.
The lyrics to The Young Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure" reflect a common dilemma in relationships - insecurity. The singer is uncertain about his place in the world and his connection with his partner. He questions how he can know for sure that his partner's affections are sincere in a world where everything seems to be in flux. He expresses his longing to be with his partner at all times, even when he's away; he fears that his partner may be taking advantage of him, but he's still drawn to them. At the end of the song, he asks how he can be sure about anything in this ever-changing world, but he finds some measure of comfort in his love for his partner.
The lyrics to "How Can I Be Sure" are relatable to anyone who has ever struggled with trust and insecurity in a relationship. The song captures the fear and uncertainty that can accompany falling in love, especially when one is not certain if their feelings are reciprocated. The chorus is particularly poignant, as the singer repeats the question that is at the heart of this song: "How can I be sure?" In the end, the answer remains elusive, but the singer finds solace in his connection with his partner.
Line by Line Meaning
How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
It's difficult to know what to trust and what is true with all the changes happening in the world.
How can I be sure where I stand with you?
I'm uncertain about our relationship and whether you feel the same way I do.
Whenever I, whenever I am away from you
I wanna die 'cause you know I wanna stay with you.
Being away from you makes me feel so empty and alone, because all I really want is to be with you.
How do I know? Maybe you're trying to use me.
I'm afraid that you might not care about me the way I care about you, and that you might just be using me for something else.
Flying too high can confuse me. Touch me but don't take me down.
Everything feels so intense and overwhelming right now, so I need you to be gentle with me and not push me too hard.
My alibi is telling people I don't care for you.
I try to act like I don't care about you in front of other people, but really I can't stop thinking about you.
Maybe I'm just hanging around with my head up upside down.
I feel like I'm stuck in this confusing situation and I don't know which way is up anymore.
It's a pity, I can't seem to find someone who's as pretty
and lovely as you.
I admit that I have a crush on you and I don't think I could ever find anyone else as amazing as you are.
How can I be sure? I really really really wanna know.
I really really really wanna know. Oh.
I am desperate to know if you feel the same way about me as I do about you, and I need some kind of reassurance.
How can I be sure? I'll be sure with you.
Despite all my doubts and fears, I know that I can trust you and be sure of our relationship together.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: EDWARD J BRIGATI, FELIX CAVALIERE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@overcamehim
I dont think Ive heard that song in 50 years and it cut through my soul like I was hearing it for the first time. Its magical and mysterious how that works.
@wendyharrison2760
I was 15 when this came out. More than 50 years for me!
@erwinmonti5066
THE POOR KIDS OF TODAY REALLY MISSED OUT ON OUR ERA..THE RASCALS AND SO MANY GROUPS OF THAT ERA GAVE US SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL TO GO THRU LIFE WITH...THEIR SONGS..THANK YOU GUYS..
@uncle-pete
when men sang with masculine voices
@BostonSorbet
I didnt miss out Ive been able to enjoy music from many eras
@ohhoney...7199
Hey no I'm here
@erwinmonti5066
@@ohhoney...7199 DONT KNOW HOW OLD YOU ARE BUT YOU CERTAINLY DONT HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THE 60s MUSIC TODAY AND ITS A SHAME..IF YOU GO BACK TO 1957 THRU 1973 AND ONLY LISTEN TO THE TOP TEN HITS OF THOSE YEARS YOU WILL BE IN HEAVEN...THE GREATEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR YOURSELF IS GO TO A BOOKSTORE AND FIND JOEL WHITBURNS TOP 100 HITS FROM 1955 TO I THINK 1975. AS DISC JOCKIES THIS IS OUR BIBLE THE INFO IN THIS BOOK IS PRICELESS....MY BEST TO YOU ALWAYS, MONTI.....
@ricardomartinezquevedo407
@@erwinmonti5066 :- ¡¡¡¡¡That is the era I was talking about.!!!!. Erwin, surely for you is better to be precise. The nice era was: The Everly Brothers, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Frankie Avalon, Paul Anka, The Temptations, Peter-Paul & Mary, Papas & Mamas, The Ventures, Bobby Darin, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Rascals, Bob Dylan Jan & Dean, Sly & Family, Stone, Isley Brothers, THE BEATLES, Rolling Stones, The Who, Dave Clark 5, Chicago, Santana, Blood-Sweat & Tears, Guess Who and many other excellent ones. (I did not include in the list Elvis Presley, because I did not like him). ¡¡¡That was the Wonderful Era!!!! Erwin Rommel. Nobody can be a Modern Ambulant Music Encyclopedia like you. ¡¡Have nice days!!!. Greetings.
@deborahnewell4591
Man! We're old! (69 years old.) Graduated in '69. I love our music from back then!
@charlesaguilar1708
Me too! I love these songs!