Blue Eyed Soul Music

The song was written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati . It was released in 1967 as a single, backed with “Sueño.” Cavaliere had become interested in Afro-Cuban music, and the song does, indeed, get into a nice groove — Conga drums et al. It’s a nice tune from Sixties rock music. Part of the inspiration for the song, the story goes, is that the group had plenty of work (a good thing), especially on Friday and Saturday nights, and could see their girlfriends only on Sunday afternoons. Their record company (Atlantic) wasn’t crazy about the song, but DJ Murray the K believed that it was a #1 hit and helped to get it released (not to mention airplay). And, sure enough, “Groovin'” went to #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and on Cash Box. It went to #1 in Canada, #3 in Australia, and #8 in the U.K . The record sold more than one million copies, and it earned an RIAA gold record. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has “Groovin'” among the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and it received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

The song became a signature for The Young Rascals (who soon thereafter became The Rascals) . They recorded it in Spanish, French, and Italian. They also released it on their 1967 album Groovin’. Booker T. and the M.G.’s did a cover as an instrumental, which also charted in 1967.

The Young Rascals formed in Garfield New Jersey in 1965. They were Eddie Brigati (vocals), Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), and Dino Danelli (drums). Eddie and his brother David had been with Joey Dee and the Starliters, as had Cavaliere and Cornish. The group had plenty of commercial success, including the songs “A Beautiful Morning, “Good Lovin,'” “A Girl Like You,” and “People Got to be Free.” They had seven U.S. Top 30 hits before they became The Rascals in 1968. They then had five more Top 30 hits before they disbanded in 1972.

Here are the lyrics to “Groovin'” By The Young Rascals:

“Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn’t get away too soon

I can’t imagine anything that’s better
The world is ours whenever we’re together
There ain’t a place I’d like to be instead of

Movin’ down a crowded avenue
Doin’ anything we like to do

There’s always lots of things that we can see
We can be anyone we like to be
And all those happy people we could meet

Just groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Really, couldn’t get away too soon

No, no, no, no

We’ll keep on spending sunny days this way
We’re gonna talk and laugh our time away
I feel it coming closer day by day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly

Groovin’ on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn’t get away to soon

No, no, no, no
Groovin’, groovin'”

If you are interested in reading about and listening to another song by The Young Rascals, please click here for “How Can I Be Sure.”

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 “Groovin'” by The Young Rascals.