Folk Rock

All’s fair in love and war? Well, maybe not, and sometimes you have to decide. The song was written by Lovin’ Spoonful member John Sebastian. They released it first on their 1965 debut album Do You Believe in Magic. They then released it in 1966 as a single, backed with “Did Want to Have to Do It,” which was from their next album Daydream. “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind” charted successfully for them, going to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #6 in Canada, and #17 in Australia.

The Lovin’ Spoonful formed in New York, New York, and had their roots in the folk music scene. For this track, group members were John Sebastian , Zal Yanovsky, Joe Butler, and Steve Boone. The Lovin’ Spoonful also had commercial success with “Summer in the City,” “You Didn’t Have to Be so Nice, “”Daydream,” and “Do You Believe in Magic?” — to mention a few.

Here are the lyrics to “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful:

“Did you ever have to make up your mind?
You pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It’s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Did you ever have to finally decide?
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There’s so many changes and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?

Sometimes there’s one with deep blue eyes, cute as a bunny
With hair down to here and plenty of money
And just when you think she’s that one in the world
Your heart gets stolen by some mousy little girl

And then you know you better make up your mind
And pick up on one and leave the other one behind
It’s not often easy and not often kind
Did you ever have to make up your mind?

Sometimes you really dig a girl the moment you kiss her
And then you get distracted by her older sister
When in walks her father and takes you in line
And says, “Better go home, son, and make up your mind”

Then you bet you’d better finally decide
And say yes to one and let the other one ride
There’s so many changes and tears you must hide
Did you ever have to finally decide?”

For other songs by The Lovin’ Spoonful: “Summer in the City” and “Daydream.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” by The Lovin’ Spoonful.