I was 9 years old and probably in the 3rd grade. I remember loving this song and hearing alot on the radio. The majority of the music in the 60's and 70's brought people together and wasn't ugly or promoted violence, quite the opposite.
You are right! It was all about love and the coming together by all. It was all about world peace and the end to war in particular 'The Viet Nam War.' Add to that the 'Cold War ' with then 'Soviet Union (Russia). We came about an inch in going to war with nuclear power Russia back in October 1962. Great comment.
Back in 1968 I was groovin to the Rascals among dozens of other artists. My beloved transistor radio was a vehicle guaranteed to take me on a musical adventure. Sharing a new treasure with fellow music lovers was the best! Then there was time spent trying to decide which album to spend your limited cash on. I was lucky to have older siblings who were cool with me nabbing their Led Zepplin, Beatles, CSNY albums and listening for hours. It's such a joy to see your response to these deeply loved songs. If I lost my hearing there's a catalog of hundreds of songs I could play from beginning to the last note in my head. Oh! And the gamut of emotions the music evoked in our young teenage souls. Hopefulness and idealism in songs like this one. And deep grief in others like CSNYs Ohio.
When y'all play these uplifting and heart-provoking songs, it brings the best of that time and vibe up to the present, so a wider world, both younger and older, can be thusly transformed.
The Rascals and the Four Seasons have a lot in common...Both groups are from New jersey and are predominantly Italian Americans. The lead singer here is Felix Cavaliere. With the Four Seasons it was Frankie Valle. Both groups had a lot of soul and were always on the R&B/Soul charts of the 60's and early 70's. This was one of the biggest hits in 1968. Great reaction to one of the greatest bands of the 60's and 70's. I was a freshman in high school and was enjoying my summer days at Jones Beach in Far Rockaway New York. "Those were the days".... This was also a very big song back in 1968 by Mary Hopkin.
Some back story for you: this is from the album "Freedom Suite" which was recorded in, around, and after the assassination of Robert Kennedy. The band believed RFK was the future of the country, and their optimism, and renewed hope for peace after his shooting, greatly influenced the songwriting process for FS.
Great pick . The drummer just passed away last month . Great group from New Jersey . Fun fact the Rascals were the first American band to reuse to play in front of a segregated audience . They also signed with a black owned record label ( Atlantic Records ) where they were assured complete freedom over the production of their music .
@@cojaysea Yes I mentioned that Atlantic catered to black artists until they started signing Rock bands. I didn't say that they stopped signing black artists. They still had plenty on their roster.
Such a great 60s "Classic Rock" Band. Lots of soul, and great dancing music. They were first called "The Young Rascals," but then after they became more famous, they dropped the "Young" and just went with "The Rascals." One of my favorite 60s Bands.
I was 7. One of my big brothers gave me a radio because I loved music so much. I had it with me all the time. I never knew if people were black or white. It never crossed my mind. I remember hearing my brother saying Right on brother! So I said it every time I heard a song I liked. He just smiled and laughed. I miss him everyday
I'm so glad that the two of you dug this great song. The Rascals are one of the greatest American bands ever, up there with the Beach Boys, the Doors, and Creedence. We lost their great drummer, Dino Danelli, this past Dec. Dino has been named by several of his peers as the drummer who influenced them the most to take up the drums. I'm lucky enough, and old enough, to have seen the Rascals several times in the '80s and their live shows were great. A really good Rascals song to follow this one up with is "A Ray of Hope." Similar vibe as "People Got to be Free." A quick change of subject, Shawn and Mel - I think it's been a long time since you've listened to the great band Three Dog Night. The next time you do, I hope you will play their showstopper "Celebrate" (Dance to the Music). Thank you, my friends.
The Young Rascals/The Rascals and Spanky and Our Gang are two bands from the 1960s that seem to get their names from the television show The Lil Rascals/Our Gang 1922 - 1944. A great show. I was born in 1964, so I watched loads of 1960s television, and I honestly believed life was a party. I miss those days.
In 1968 I was 11 years old and we listened to all of this music on a little transistor radio. We grew up very poor but we could play safely in the neighborhood until the street lights came on. Such a different time. Love your channel, love you both and your positive energy.
The lead singer Felix Cavaliere wrote this in 1968 after the death of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. , it was an important song and it was written for a reason. It was very important for the time it was popular.
Summer of 1968, I was 9 years old and in Day Camp. The counselors taught us all these great rock and roll songs, plus I listened on the radio to great stations like 77 WABC in NYC.
Great reaction ... I was a teenager during this time. The Rascals were a big part of the musical landscape of that time, such good vibrations. Thanks for keeping it going.
Felix Cavaliere & Eddie Brigati wrote gr8 uplifting songs about romance, love for one another, peace, & hope. And Felix's soulful voice just blows me away. He's still performing & still got that soulful groove goin on! And as another fan said, y'all must see & listen to their live version. They'll take ya to "church ".
I was 10 when I followed the Leeds from all the older brothers around, I love this song the late 60's has had some of the greatest music to come out that's still listened to today
From Songfacts: Freedom lost a champion on April 4, 1968 when Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down, and when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, it was dealt another devastating blow. Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals wrote this song in reaction to those murders, condensing King and Kennedy's message into a simple missive calling for unity and understanding. It's hard to argue with the song's message, as it's not overtly political and doesn't lash out at any person or organization in particular. Combined with an uptempo rock groove, it had all the makings of a hit. Felix Cavaliere claimed that he had to fight for this song, since Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records was worried that a message song would hurt the Rascals' career. Cavaliere prevailed and the song became the group's biggest hit, reaching #1 in America in August 1968, where it remained for five weeks). ME: Jerry Wexler was an idiot...
I was 10 years old! I had 3 older siblings in their teens. Whatever they were listening to is what I heard too! I was a lucky boy to be raised on the greatest music of all time! 😉😁
They want to tell the young people now, that my generation were a bunch of bigots, but it was absolutely not true, it's so funny to me, I had a great friend, she was very beautiful, one day she was showing me old pictures, she said: "This was my stepdad, I thought he was my real dad most of my life. I said: "Angie, he's black, how could you have thought he was your dad?" She looked at me funny and said: "I'm black." I said: "Oh, I always thought you were Japanese." We both busted out laughing and laughed all day about it. You know why? BECAUSE IT DIDN"T MATTER WHAT WE WERE, JUST WHO WE WERE. Love you Angie girl. God is colorful, and we used to know that. What is wrong with people?
The train of freedom!!! About to arrive any minute, but it is LONG overdue. Even more true today!!! We all need to put our petty differences aside and get on that train of freedom, and go ahead a few years and hop on that LOVE TRAIN!!! Thank you for this.❤
I was 10 years old !! But even at that age I knew what kind of music I liked cause my " Grandmother " introduced me to " The Beatles " !! And that's where my love for Rock & Roll started !! 🤘
Historical context. In April, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis; he was there to support strikers. In June (on my last day of the school year), presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy was murdered immediately after his "thank you" speech to supporters at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. In August, protesters and press were beaten to a bloody pulp at the Democratic Convention in Chicago by Chicago police. As for me, I was just a little kid enjoying playing tag and hide and go seek, and watching all the violence on our black-and-white Motorola TV. This was a great song from that year, though. Back then, listening to the top 40 radio stations on a transistor radio was like magic. This song should replace our national anthem. We soooo need to unite, to reject the hateful and unfair ideologies of the extremes, to reject the powerful and rich who try to divide us and make us hate one another so we won't notice what they're doing to us. And most of all, we have to see our neighbors as fellow human beings.
Thanks for finally getting around to this one! I know you guys get a lot of different requests. But I knew you would really like this one. I was 6 when this song came out. I'm 66 now, and I remember it like yesterday.
The Rascals were a great 60's groups. I had their records. They were considered rock & blue-eyed soul. You've done quite a few of their songs. Other hits were "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore", "You Better Run", "I've Been Lonely Too Long", "Good Lovin'", "A Girl Like You", "It's Wonderful" etc.
The record company didn't want to release this song... to "religious" for them. Became a Number One song. Record companies are not always correct in their choices.
I was 15 that summer. Riding horses and swimming in the river was what I was doing. I lived in a small rural town in Montana. I had the best childhood and teenage years. Music was a HUGE part of my life. 😊❤
Hopeful songs at such a wicked dark time. Martin in April, Bobby in June and then my dad two weeks after. All gone. After Bobby, whatever was possible just disappeared and we're still suffering the consequences.
You Guy's Look so Happy Today You Look like You Had Good Rest Thank Goodness for That or Your Feeding on the Songs Vibe anyways Thanks This Tune Always Puts Some Pep IN Our Step 😉👌🙏🌹🍒🏅✌️
I was 10 years old. I loved all 60's music. I was the youngest of 3 girls. Plus our mother believed in music. I do too. I was busy falling in love with beegees and the grass roots.
The summers of 1967, 68 and 69 were a great time to come of age. The era was unique musically, socially and personally. I was so blessed to be in the middle of it all in New York and New Jersey.
I wish politicians listened to the LYRICS of this music !! "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear." ~Rev. Martin Luther KIng, Jr. ✌💯👍🙏🎶🎸
The lead singer had such a soulful voice. Love the Rascals.
I was 9 years old and probably in the 3rd grade. I remember loving this song and hearing alot on the radio. The majority of the music in the 60's and 70's brought people together and wasn't ugly or promoted violence, quite the opposite.
I was 4 in '68 but I remember this on our transistor radio.
You are right! It was all about love and the coming together by all. It was all about world peace and the end to war in particular 'The Viet Nam War.' Add to that the 'Cold War ' with then 'Soviet Union (Russia). We came about an inch in going to war with nuclear power Russia back in October 1962. Great comment.
i was 11,6th grade and LOOOOVED the rascals. 68-69 FIRE.
This was written in response to the 1968 assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy.
That's why these songs are timeless...the sentiment remains the same!
Music of the 60's was all about peace and love and equality ✌️💋😎🔥
Dino Dannelli the drummer for the Rascals just passed away a few days ago. Thank You for playing this music.
This is the first I'm hearing this. Like a bomb. One of my favorite groups and drummer.
RIP DINO.
Dino Danelli passed Dec 15 2022 !
He left an impact on me !
Felix Cavaliere the lead singer had a great voice and great harmonies with Eddie Brigati with those high notes and the rest of the band!❤
I was 17 years old, living, loving and the Best Music Ever.
More Rascals please 😎 thanks 👍
Yes! "Good Lovin", "I've Been Lonely Too Long", "Somebody to Love"
Felix Cavalieri (organ, vocals), Eddie Brigati (percussion, vocals), Dino Danelli (drums), Gene Cornish (guitar, vocals).
Sadly, Dino died last December.
Back in 1968 I was groovin to the Rascals among dozens of other artists. My beloved transistor radio was a vehicle guaranteed to take me on a musical adventure. Sharing a new treasure with fellow music lovers was the best! Then there was time spent trying to decide which album to spend your limited cash on. I was lucky to have older siblings who were cool with me nabbing their Led Zepplin, Beatles, CSNY albums and listening for hours. It's such a joy to see your response to these deeply loved songs. If I lost my hearing there's a catalog of hundreds of songs I could play from beginning to the last note in my head. Oh! And the gamut of emotions the music evoked in our young teenage souls. Hopefulness and idealism in songs like this one. And deep grief in others like CSNYs Ohio.
The late 60's had an explosion of wonderful music. I'm glad I was around to witness it.
When y'all play these uplifting and heart-provoking songs, it brings the best of that time and vibe up to the present, so a wider world, both younger and older, can be thusly transformed.
The Rascals and the Four Seasons have a lot in common...Both groups are from New jersey and are predominantly Italian Americans. The lead singer here is Felix Cavaliere. With the Four Seasons it was Frankie Valle. Both groups had a lot of soul and were always on the R&B/Soul charts of the 60's and early 70's. This was one of the biggest hits in 1968. Great reaction to one of the greatest bands of the 60's and 70's. I was a freshman in high school and was enjoying my summer days at Jones Beach in Far Rockaway New York. "Those were the days".... This was also a very big song back in 1968 by Mary Hopkin.
I throw in the Lovin Spoonful too, though they're not from New Jersey.
@@Widkey ":Hot Time Summer in the City." Never forget that great tune from them. They too were an awesome group.
1968 I was graduating from Jr High entering High School (10th grade). This was a time when music was groovy.
YEP! We'd achieved united freedom for a generation. I graduated high school that year, and we "got it"...thanks to the music and music venues.
Some back story for you: this is from the album "Freedom Suite" which was recorded in, around, and after the assassination of Robert Kennedy. The band believed RFK was the future of the country, and their optimism, and renewed hope for peace after his shooting, greatly influenced the songwriting process for FS.
Great pick . The drummer just passed away last month . Great group from New Jersey . Fun fact the Rascals were the first American band to reuse to play in front of a segregated audience . They also signed with a black owned record label ( Atlantic Records ) where they were assured complete freedom over the production of their music .
Ahmet Ertegun wasn't black he was Turkish but yes it was a label that catered to black music until he started signing rock bands in the 60's.
@@bloppysloppy2283 Oh really ? Well yes they had a lot of black artists including Wilson Pickett if I remember correctly.
@@cojaysea Yes I mentioned that Atlantic catered to black artists until they started signing Rock bands. I didn't say that they stopped signing black artists. They still had plenty on their roster.
I was 14 yr. old girl in a small town being young and carefree. Peace and Love.✌🏻
8 years old in 3rd grade. Loved this song & group! ❤ Some of their songs were very soulful.
Such a great 60s "Classic Rock" Band. Lots of soul, and great dancing music. They were first called "The Young Rascals," but then after they became more famous, they dropped the "Young" and just went with "The Rascals." One of my favorite 60s Bands.
I was 7. One of my big brothers gave me a radio because I loved music so much. I had it with me all the time. I never knew if people were black or white. It never crossed my mind. I remember hearing my brother saying Right on brother! So I said it every time I heard a song I liked. He just smiled and laughed. I miss him everyday
The summer of 1968 was great!
Thank you Shawn and Mel for a trip back to high school. The Rascals have many more great songs.
I'm so glad that the two of you dug this great song. The Rascals are one of the greatest American bands ever, up there with the Beach Boys, the Doors, and Creedence. We lost their great drummer, Dino Danelli, this past Dec. Dino has been named by several of his peers as the drummer who influenced them the most to take up the drums. I'm lucky enough, and old enough, to have seen the Rascals several times in the '80s and their live shows were great. A really good Rascals song to follow this one up with is "A Ray of Hope." Similar vibe as "People Got to be Free." A quick change of subject, Shawn and Mel - I think it's been a long time since you've listened to the great band Three Dog Night. The next time you do, I hope you will play their showstopper "Celebrate" (Dance to the Music). Thank you, my friends.
Great songs. So many
The Young Rascals/The Rascals and Spanky and Our Gang are two bands from the 1960s that seem to get their names from the television show The Lil Rascals/Our Gang 1922 - 1944. A great show. I was born in 1964, so I watched loads of 1960s television, and I honestly believed life was a party. I miss those days.
In 1968 I was 11 years old and we listened to all of this music on a little transistor radio. We grew up very poor but we could play safely in the neighborhood until the street lights came on. Such a different time. Love your channel, love you both and your positive energy.
The lead singer Felix Cavaliere wrote this in 1968 after the death of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. , it was an important song and it was written for a reason. It was very important for the time it was popular.
The Rascals were a big part of my teen years. I was 16 when this song came out
Summer of 1968, I was 9 years old and in Day Camp. The counselors taught us all these great rock and roll songs, plus I listened on the radio to great stations like 77 WABC in NYC.
Can’t wait to hit their soulful Good Lovin’. That’s a real banger.
Great reaction ... I was a teenager during this time. The Rascals were a big part of the musical landscape of that time, such good vibrations. Thanks for keeping it going.
you're gonna love these guys!
Love your joyful reaction! It always lifts my spirits to hear it.
I was just 13, this song was goovy❤
In 1968 I was a junior in high school in 7th grade.
The music was a amazing and besides the Beatles I loved watching the Monkees on TV ~
In 1968 I was a sophomore in high school and enjoy this great music! Love love love the Rascals.
Just finished high school. Watch that drummer man! We had the vibe for sure. What have you youngers done with it? Sigh. Thanks for the reaction!
Great band with a timeless message! Love he Rascals!!!
The summer of 68... Fabulous music!
Felix Cavaliere & Eddie Brigati wrote gr8 uplifting songs about romance, love for one another, peace, & hope. And Felix's soulful voice just blows me away. He's still performing & still got that soulful groove goin on! And as another fan said, y'all must see & listen to their live version. They'll take ya to "church ".
The always groovy Rascals are at it again. Keep it going S&M!
Sadly I Was in Vietnam 68 When I heard This Tune I Remember Thinking That's Right That's Why WERE HERE 🇺🇸👍✌️🏅
I was 10 when I followed the Leeds from all the older brothers around, I love this song the late 60's has had some of the greatest music to come out that's still listened to today
From Songfacts: Freedom lost a champion on April 4, 1968 when Martin Luther King, Jr. was gunned down, and when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5, it was dealt another devastating blow.
Eddie Brigati and Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals wrote this song in reaction to those murders, condensing King and Kennedy's message into a simple missive calling for unity and understanding. It's hard to argue with the song's message, as it's not overtly political and doesn't lash out at any person or organization in particular. Combined with an uptempo rock groove, it had all the makings of a hit.
Felix Cavaliere claimed that he had to fight for this song, since Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records was worried that a message song would hurt the Rascals' career. Cavaliere prevailed and the song became the group's biggest hit, reaching #1 in America in August 1968, where it remained for five weeks). ME: Jerry Wexler was an idiot...
Was 11 years old going on 30 thinking I could go to Woodstock with the hippies. Instead lived vicariously through others sigh😂
Another example of "meaningful" music and lyrics from the 60' and 70's without putting a cap in someone's butt!
I have this song on a loop and listen to it almost every morning. It's a good way to start the day feeling positive and encouraged. Blessings
I’m 75 and in 1968 I was grooving to The Rascals! Love your channel.
In '68? I was 10 and in day camp when this hit came out I remember the Rascals being really big back then especially!
I was 15 and a high school sophomore. The Rascals were the truth! What a great band!
One of my all time favorites!
I was 10 years old! I had 3 older siblings in their teens. Whatever they were listening to is what I heard too! I was a lucky boy to be raised on the greatest music of all time! 😉😁
Great memories of my home town and the beach listening to the great music of the Rascals
1968, sophomore in high school, loved this song.
They want to tell the young people now, that my generation were a bunch of bigots, but it was absolutely not true, it's so funny to me, I had a great friend, she was very beautiful, one day she was showing me old pictures, she said: "This was my stepdad, I thought he was my real dad most of my life. I said: "Angie, he's black, how could you have thought he was your dad?" She looked at me funny and said: "I'm black." I said: "Oh, I always thought you were Japanese." We both busted out laughing and laughed all day about it. You know why? BECAUSE IT DIDN"T MATTER WHAT WE WERE, JUST WHO WE WERE. Love you Angie girl. God is colorful, and we used to know that. What is wrong with people?
Two of the greatest Pop Groups to come out of the United States in the 60's was The Beach Boys on the West Coast and The Rascals on the East Coast.
The train of freedom!!! About to arrive any minute, but it is LONG overdue. Even more true today!!! We all need to put our petty differences aside and get on that train of freedom, and go ahead a few years and hop on that LOVE TRAIN!!!
Thank you for this.❤
I was 10 years old !! But even at that age I knew what kind of music I liked cause my " Grandmother " introduced me to " The Beatles " !! And that's where my love for Rock & Roll started !! 🤘
Historical context. In April, Dr. King was murdered in Memphis; he was there to support strikers. In June (on my last day of the school year), presidential candidate Bobby Kennedy was murdered immediately after his "thank you" speech to supporters at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. In August, protesters and press were beaten to a bloody pulp at the Democratic Convention in Chicago by Chicago police. As for me, I was just a little kid enjoying playing tag and hide and go seek, and watching all the violence on our black-and-white Motorola TV. This was a great song from that year, though. Back then, listening to the top 40 radio stations on a transistor radio was like magic.
This song should replace our national anthem. We soooo need to unite, to reject the hateful and unfair ideologies of the extremes, to reject the powerful and rich who try to divide us and make us hate one another so we won't notice what they're doing to us. And most of all, we have to see our neighbors as fellow human beings.
I was 14 when this great song came out. Loved The Rascals.
I was 6 getting ready for first grade. My parents were in their 20's and always played this kind of music. This is my childhood soundtrack! 😁
1968. I was 10. Some very very positive songs back then.
Thanks for finally getting around to this one! I know you guys get a lot of different requests. But I knew you would really like this one. I was 6 when this song came out. I'm 66 now, and I remember it like yesterday.
Legend has it that Don Cornelius got the inspiration to name his show ‘Soul Train’ after listening to this song!
The Rascals were a great 60's groups. I had their records. They were considered rock & blue-eyed soul. You've done quite a few of their songs. Other hits were "I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore", "You Better Run", "I've Been Lonely Too Long", "Good Lovin'", "A Girl Like You", "It's Wonderful" etc.
We need more songs like this in the world. ❤
Shawn and Mel another good one from the Rascals is Good luvin
Luv the 60's
1968 I was 11 years old and I love the Rascals haven't heard of in a long long long a blast from my childhood
The record company didn't want to release this song... to "religious" for them. Became a Number One song. Record companies are not always correct in their choices.
Lovely music ! Interestingly juxtaposed with a sad time in America history 😢. 1968 American history was tragic. Thank God for the music.
I graduated from high school in 1968
Went into the Navy. Did a year in Vietnam. One of the happiest days of my life getting discharged in 72.
I was 16 in 1968 living the simple life in Passaic, NJ listening to fellow Jersey boys playing the best music ever!
I graduated from high school in 1968. I was the singer in a rock band at that time.
The Rascals doing "Lonely Too Long" should be next.
LOL - These two are fun , definitely would love to hang out with them ! And this has always been one of my favorite songs !
I was 15 that summer. Riding horses and swimming in the river was what I was doing. I lived in a small rural town in Montana. I had the best childhood and teenage years. Music was a HUGE part of my life. 😊❤
Hopeful songs at such a wicked dark time. Martin in April, Bobby in June and then my dad two weeks after. All gone. After Bobby, whatever was possible just disappeared and we're still suffering the consequences.
This WHOLE Country needs to come TOGETHER as ONE instead of fussing and fighting cuz its coming down to them or us! We need to UNITE!
I was 14 yrs old going gettin close to my first smoke break like I'm doin now with ya'll
"Good Times"
In 1968 i was in the eighth grade junior high school. The full impact of the good pop & rock hit the target .
The O’Jays “I love Music” is a great one too!
Some Italian dudes from Jersey and one Canadian......... Rockin' the Hell out of it.
You Guy's Look so Happy Today You Look like You Had Good Rest Thank Goodness for That or Your Feeding on the Songs Vibe anyways Thanks This Tune Always Puts Some Pep IN Our Step 😉👌🙏🌹🍒🏅✌️
I was 10 years old. I loved all 60's music. I was the youngest of 3 girls. Plus our mother believed in music. I do too. I was busy falling in love with beegees and the grass roots.
In 1968 I was in 9th or 10th grade depending on the month and I loved this song and this band.
So under appreciated !
❤ the sentiment !
The summers of 1967, 68 and 69 were a great time to come of age. The era was unique musically, socially and personally. I was so blessed to be in the middle of it all in New York and New Jersey.
I had just graduated from high school...what a great time to be young !!
We don't FIND these songs. We know them from growing up hearing the songs on the radio.
The Rascals were 🆕 Jerseys Beach Boys
I wish politicians listened to the LYRICS of this music !! "I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear." ~Rev. Martin Luther KIng, Jr. ✌💯👍🙏🎶🎸
Graduated High School in 1968. Great music growing up
I was 8 years old listening to great music 🎵🎶❤
Just a great band.💓
One of my favorite groups of the 60's. Try reacting to Come On Up. Great selection guys.
The era of love and brotherhood. I want it back!!!!!
This was the number 1 song in America September 15 1968......the day I was born!
68 i was four.but i can remember listening to them on the 8 track in the vista cruiser bobbing down the back roads of rural B.C Canada