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.
I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you know how to part your lips to tantalize, sure
(Yeah) You can get any man you want goin' and you do it
And don't say you don't know you do
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
So quit it
I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I [2: really] do, girl
Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)
(Yeah) Just 'cause I ain't been sayin' it, girl
You should be ashamed of what I've been seein' - bad
(Yeah) You better watch your step or, girl
You can bet you're gonna lose the best thing you ever had
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
So quit it
I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I do, girl
Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore [repeat to fade]
In The Young Rascals' "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore," the singer is clearly fed up with their partner's behavior. He acknowledges her physical attributes, such as her "biggest brown eyes" and ability to "part your lips to tantalize." Despite her apparent beauty and allure, the singer refuses to continue being treated poorly. He understands that she has the power to attract any man she wants, but he is not willing to put up with it anymore.
The song's title is a reference to the act of "eating out one's heart," which is a metaphor for being consumed by jealousy and heartache. The singer has likely been feeling this way for some time, but now he has had enough. He's not going to let his love for her consume him anymore. He wants her to choose between him and the other man in her life. He knows that he loves her, and he needs her, but he's not willing to be second best.
Overall, this song is about standing up for oneself and not putting up with poor treatment from a partner. While it may seem like an ultimatum, it's important to remember that the singer is simply drawing a line in the sand and demanding respect from his significant other.
Line by Line Meaning
(Yeah) I Think you got the biggest brown eyes
I believe you have the biggest, most beautiful brown eyes that catch my attention.
And you know how to part your lips to tantalize, sure
You know exactly how to part your lips in a seductive way that captivates me.
(Yeah) You can get any man you want goin' and you do it
You have the ability to attract any man you desire and you take advantage of that.
And don't say you don't know you do
You are aware that you have great power over men.
I love you, I love you, I do, little girl
I genuinely love you, my dear.
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
However, you will not be unfaithful to me.
I need you, I need you, I do, girl
I need you deeply, truly.
Choose, is it him or me (is it him or me)
Make a choice between me and the other man in your life.
(Yeah) Just 'cause I ain't been sayin' it, girl
Even though I haven't said it, you should feel ashamed of your actions.
You should be ashamed of what I've been seein' - bad
Your behavior is shameful and it's causing me to see you in a negative light.
(Yeah) You better watch your step or, girl
You should be careful with your actions or you'll face consequences.
You can bet you're gonna lose the best thing you ever had
If you continue with your current behavior, you will lose the most valuable thing in your life, namely me.
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I will no longer be heartbroken over what you're doing.
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I will no longer suffer the pain of your infidelity.
So quit it
Stop engaging in your deceitful behavior.
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore [repeat to fade]
I will not continue to suffer in silence as you betray me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LORI BURTON, PAM SAWYER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrSkinnn
Yeah, I admit you got the biggest brown eyes
And you know how to part your lips to tantalize, sure
Yeah, You can get any man you want goin', and you do it
And don't say you don't know you do it
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
So quit it
I love you, I love you, I do girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I do girl
Choose, is it him or me, is it him or me
Yeah, Just 'cause I ain't been sayin' it girl
You should be ashamed of what I've been seein' - bad
Yeah, You better watch your step or girl
You can bet you're gonna lose the best thing you ever had
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
Quit it
I love you, I love you, I do girl
But you ain't gonna cheat on me
I need you, I need you, I really do girl
Choose, is it him or me, is it him or me
Well, baby, I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
I ain't gonna eat out my heart anymore
Ain't gonna eat out . . .
Richard Fisher
One of my favorites by the Rascals. They were so so major in the 60s.
robert thacher
They were TIGHT!
Ron Greene
I loved it when it first came out; I still do. It's fresh as ever in my musical memory.
Barry Fagin
@Suzanne Hepburn GROOVIN ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON....THE F'.....ING RADCALS...LATER...
GOOD LOVIN '
Suzanne Hepburn
Ron Greene, I so agree!!
Cissy2cute
IMO the BEST song they ever did. A real powerhouse. Let me explain: this one just hits me right in the heart. The others were more pop; which is OK, but I guess I'm just a fan of the raw garage band sound sung with heavy emotion.
robert thacher
@one mexican They were too good to be called a garage band!
one mexican
it was not garage band sound.....it did not exist..garage band....
robert wahlgren
Spot on!
David Ward
Agree. Gritty and so cool. Melissa Ward here