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.
See
The Young Rascals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wings of life are taking flight from the darkness to the light.
I used to try and fly away upon the flood of dreams
Tasting all the good and bad from on the serpent's tree
Little ones remind us of a place we used to be
Echoes of the ever land discover who you really am.
Drops of rain are never lost, soul and spirit to the source.
Yes I saw you in a fairy tale or was it just a dream ?
White and yellow jasmine trees, time a mere machine
Flashes of a New Year light up a stellar sky
Love is really everywhere, to see it is to fly.
Things ain't like they used to be, if you want to you can see
Words of love on chestnut trees written by sweet memories.
While we are riding on the avenues of time
The bird of life drinks drinks from the cups of wine
Waits until we're ready for the Prince's gift of love.
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see
Wings of life are taking flight from the darkness to the light.
The secret mirror photographs shining in your eyes
I'm married to the universe, my brother is the sky
Stars can see to make a wish and hearts with wings can fly
So come with me and see my love so we can never die.
Rivers rushing to the sea, love is flowing endlessly
Drops of rain are never lost, soul and spirit to the source.
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see.
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see.
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see.
The lyrics of "See" by The Young Rascals seem to explore a journey of self-discovery, guided by love, nature, and a sense of nostalgia for a simpler time. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the song: "Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see." The singer seems to be longing for a time when life was less complicated and love was the central focus of their existence.
The second line, "Wings of life are taking flight from the darkness to the light," suggests that the singer is ready to move away from whatever darkness or negativity has been holding them back and embrace the light of life and love. The lyrics then delve into memories and experiences that have shaped the singer's worldview. They mention "tasting all the good and bad from on the serpent's tree," which could be a nod to the biblical story of Adam and Eve and their experience with the Tree of Knowledge.
The singer then reflects on the importance of children and how they remind us of a place we used to be, perhaps a time of innocence and wonder. The lyrics then move on to the natural world, with references to rivers flowing to the sea and drops of rain never being lost. This could be interpreted to mean that everything has a purpose and a place in the grand scheme of things.
The final lines of the song speak to the power of love and the eternal nature of the human spirit. The singer mentions a "Prince's gift of love" and suggests that by embracing love, we can transcend our mortal existence and become a part of something greater.
Line by Line Meaning
Things ain't like they used to be, love's the only thing I see
The world is constantly changing, but love is the only thing that remains constant and true.
Wings of life are taking flight from the darkness to the light.
Life is full of ups and downs, but it is always moving towards the light.
I used to try and fly away upon the flood of dreams
I used to escape reality by dreaming, but now I face reality with love.
Tasting all the good and bad from on the serpent's tree
I have experienced both good and bad things in life, like in the story of Adam and Eve.
Little ones remind us of a place we used to be
Children remind us of our own childhood and a place of innocence and wonder.
Echoes of the ever land discover who you really am.
The echoes of a place beyond our reality can help us discover our true selves.
Rivers rushing to the sea, love is flowing endlessly
Love flows endlessly like a river and always finds its way to the source, like the sea.
Drops of rain are never lost, soul and spirit to the source.
Like drops of rain, our souls and spirits always find their way back to the source of love.
Yes I saw you in a fairy tale or was it just a dream ?
I may have seen you in a dream or a fairytale, but either way, you are real to me.
White and yellow jasmine trees, time a mere machine
The beauty of nature is timeless, while time itself is just a human construct.
Flashes of a New Year light up a stellar sky
The start of a new year brings hope and excitement, like stars lighting up the sky.
Love is really everywhere, to see it is to fly.
Love is all around us and allows us to soar to new heights.
Words of love on chestnut trees written by sweet memories.
Memories of love are eternal and can be seen in the world around us.
While we are riding on the avenues of time
As we journey through life, we are constantly moving forward in time.
The bird of life drinks drinks from the cups of wine
Life is nourished by experiences, like wine that nourishes the body.
Waits until we're ready for the Prince's gift of love.
Love is a gift that comes when we are ready to receive it, like a prince waiting for his true love.
The secret mirror photographs shining in your eyes
I see myself reflected in your eyes, a reflection of the love we share.
I'm married to the universe, my brother is the sky
I am connected to everything in the universe and my bond with it is like a family.
Stars can see to make a wish and hearts with wings can fly
When we follow our hearts and make a wish upon a star, anything is possible.
So come with me and see my love so we can never die.
Come with me and experience the love we have, so that it will never die.
Contributed by Jonathan S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
X-Roy Tube
One of the greatest powerpop/psychedelic/punk drumming songs of all time...Dino was so creative, unique and brilliant...check out all the interesting offbeats and bouncing back and forth in time signatures near the end...one of history's greatest rockers. R.I.P.
MrAdvance2go
He is regarded as rock's most unheralded drummer.
martianshoes
This is primo late hippie era rock....always wanted someone to cover it...although NO ONE could touch Felix's vocal...IMO one of the most driving relentless songs they ever did...
elamite66
primo indeed! and just as how I saw it too! a band from metro NY where I grew up in Highbridge the Bronx I just got back from Nam and was so glad to be back in the world and home in NY
Charlie Rogers Music
one of the best band in the universe
Dag Nabbit
The Rascals definitely evolved their sound but didn’t forget their roots . This song was a successful merger of the old and new for that time . Many bands tried to evolve and absorb some of that hippie psychedelia and many failed !
markfromct2
You know it is good when it is on loop. PEACE!
markfromct2
Agreed Mr. martianshoes. This track touched me when it came out. I bought the 45 for ~99 cents back then. (which I could not afford) Peace
Dag Nabbit
Heard this when I was teenager and found it very puzzzling and didn't embrace it immediately. Now I realize the Rascals . at this point , had gotten more sophisticated and were breaking the mold. Excellent piece not just a good song. I think this might have laid the groundwork for Exile on Main Street. The Rascals are playing it loose but remaining tight and in control at the same time. Only people who know the tricks of the trade and have mastered them can do this.
Brian Collinson
"Echoes of the Everland / Discover who you really am"
One of the greatest anthems to come out of the noblest parts of that era. Timeless, in its own way... and maybe in more ways than one.