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.
Just a Little
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't stay, yes I know
You know I hate to go
But goodbye, love was sweet
Our worlds can never meet
So I'll cry just a little 'cause I love you so
Away
Can't you see how I feel
When I say love's unreal
But goodbye, it's been sweet
Even though incomplete
So I'll cry just a little 'cause I love you so
And I'll die just a little 'cause I have to go
Away
Every night I still hear
All your sighs very clear
Now love's gone, gone away
As I once heard you say
Now I've cried just a little 'cause I loved you so
And I've died just a little 'cause I had to go
Away
The Young Rascals' song "Just a Little" tells the story of a breakup between lovers who can't be together due to their different worlds. The first verse sets the scene of the situation, with the singer acknowledging that they have to go even though they don't want to. The second verse delves into the singer's conflicted feelings about their love, admitting that it may not have been real, but still acknowledging the sweetness of their time together. The third verse reveals the aftermath of the breakup, with the singer haunted by memories of the past and the things their lover used to say.
The emotional core of the song is encapsulated in the chorus, with the repeated refrain of "I'll cry just a little 'cause I love you so, and I'll die just a little 'cause I have to go away." The feelings of heartbreak and sadness are palpable in the lyrics and in the Young Rascals' delivery of them, with their signature blue-eyed soul sound infusing the words with even more depth and emotion.
Overall, "Just a Little" is a poignant and powerful song about the pain of breaking up and the conflicting emotions that come with it. It's a testament to the Young Rascals' skill as a band that they were able to make such an emotional impact with lyrics that are relatively simple and straightforward.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't stay, yes I know
I am aware that I cannot stay
You know I hate to go
I feel unhappy about leaving
But goodbye, love was sweet
I bid farewell, our love was enjoyable
Our worlds can never meet
We are incompatible, unable to coexist harmoniously
So I'll cry just a little 'cause I love you so
I will shed a few tears due to my intense love for you
And I'll die just a little 'cause I have to go
I will feel a little pain due to my need to leave
Away
Departing from here
Can't you see how I feel
Don't you notice my emotions?
When I say love's unreal
I find it hard to believe in love
But goodbye, it's been sweet
But farewell, it was a pleasant experience
Even though incomplete
Despite it being unfinished
Every night I still hear
I still hear every night
All your sighs very clear
Very clearly, all your sighs
Now love's gone, gone away
Now our love is gone, disappeared
As I once heard you say
As you told me before
Now I've cried just a little 'cause I loved you so
I have shed a few tears due to my intense love for you
And I've died just a little 'cause I had to go
I have felt a little pain due to my need to leave
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.