Felix Cavaliere tells the story behind Groovin'

[Mooncut]

I recall that "Groovin'" topped the rhythm and blues radio charts in Cleveland when all the other songs on the list were performed by the great African American acts of the day. I doubt that "promotion" had anything to do with it. (I wonder whether the listeners knew the Rascals were white?) As fellow Caucasians Jolson and Presley did before him, Felix exudes a genuine, natural soulfulness in his singing. Even the great Marvin Gaye would've been pressed to top this performance.

[yellyyow]

he looks like henry hill!

[starcamcelebrities]

So interesting to learn about this song directly from Felix! He's such a great talent. Terrific video.

[funkyflyswim]

Remember a 4th of July picnic in Central Park, 1969, laying out and listening to "Groovin'" on a boom box. The quintessential summer song. Zu

[LoriJeanMc]

Loved hearing the story behind this song. Great job Felix. The song still holds up today.

[usaearthling]

Felix, I love you and I love the wonderful, soulful and amazing music that you gave us to grow old with. Even to this day it is music you never want to part with, it is music that if I heard it on my deathbed I would die with a big smile on my face. So glad to have been born in that era, thank you Felix.

[SongwritersWM]

I'm an english songwriter. Felix was great influence on my career in the 60's. I'm still writing songs. I've had recent releases from Engelbert and Robin Beck. Check out the songs on You Tube put on by member Bogworthy - there's a link to my website.

Jerry

[Getrealpeeps]

It makes scense what he said.....

[StevenCarinci]

BUT...that IS a female's voice. Is it not?

[curtisjones400]

I was 13 years old in 1967 when this song came out -these guys were so awesome-we are blessed to have their music-they brought everybody together all races-God Bless em

[Nuudles12]

Im a 59 year old woman and that,s how long I will always love the Young Rascals and I m a woman that believe,s that friends are hard to come by , I stick with them always and forever.

[finylvinyl66]

Felix is one of those rare "white boys" born with soul. And he is one of the most

underrated musicians in the history of rock.

[LauriDor]

The young girl loved you too Felix.

[OREGONBEKKI]

@LauriDor Oh that is so sweet. I love this song it always puts a spring in my step and I can only imagine how it makes you feel when you hear it.

[chik5ful1]

Where's Miles?

[StevenCarinci]

As a Bronx, NY native I was told by another Bronxonian that the female background vocals on Groovin' were provided by another Bronxite named Laura Nyro. Can anyone confirm?

[hardrich2]

@StevenCarinci There is a great biography on Laura Nyro out there. Im sure it would be listed if she did do back up

[Iconman3]

@StevenCarinci I doubt in, Eddie and his brother Dave Brigatti (usually uncredited) sang like bloody choir boys!

[dbrinkm1]

Loved the Rascals music and bought all of their records! I am 63 and was in college at IL State U when "Groovin "came out. Felix is right ,nothing like music can capture time! I remember the things Iwas doing and thinking about when these songs were playing on the radio and all the wonderful memories of youth and first love that these songs evoke! Prceless! Thanfs Felix!

[johnnynocaster]

Felix, I've loved the Rascals music since Good Lovin' came out all those years ago and like you I fell in love with a beautiful girl and we'd go Groovin' on Sunday Afternoon." Sadly she dumped me for somebody else but I've had a good wife all these years. Thanks for the memories.

[havanakings]

Man Felix could nake that Hammond B3 jump!!!! And His vocals unique till this day Just like Eddie Brigati! Dam wat a voice!!!

[jackiewinsc]

I've always wanted to know about this song and now I get to hear it , I was just a teen ager but I'll never forget this song. Thanks Guys for nearly a lifetime of memories, I'll always hold dear to my heart. Thanks Again forever and allways

[maryhadalittlelamb25]

I WANT TO BE LOVED LIKE THAT TOO!

[Minimouser1]

So true, "that moment in time captured forever"

LOVE !

[WisconsinParkour]

Hadn't heard of him untill this year's Summerfest line up. Sounds awesome.

[dayglow72]

Felix was and is (to my ears) one of the most soulful vocalists that found success in the 60's and continues to be vital today. He's a very tasty hammmond b3 player and writer to boot. Eddie Brigati was talented as well but the producers wisely let Felix sing most of the tunes even though Eddie was out front, Felix had such a unique delivery, The Rascals were one of my absolute favorites ever.

[alexlancer11]

@dayglow72 Yes they aer great. You really have to be a genius to make music like that.

[catndryer]

"I can't imagine anything thats better".........yep...that's love.

[mikeaustin1]

The interesting thing is that when I heard this song when it first came out, I was 10, and had EXACTLY the same feelings about a girl, I suppose my first acknowledged girlfriend (that is to say we both said we liked each other), as Felix expresses here. This wasn't about sex per se, it was about the absolutely fantastic feeling you get with the girl of your dreams, from 10 to 100. I can't tell you how exactly he describes the feelings I had even back then!

[Discfiend69]

Man,Vincent Van Gogh is overseeing this interview...That says it all.

[V301H]

Eddie Brigati is the one who should have been interviewed on this subject. He was the lyricist on most of the Rascals' original material including "Groovin'". Listen to the songs Felix wrote by himself and I think you will find a big difference in lyrical depth.

[beatlewatch]

Hmmm...I don't know. In any case, Eddie quit long ago for whatever reason, and your comment is silly.

[jadesystem]

Great interview of a great songwriter of a very special song.

[Ashwin42]

i got that new album with steve cropper and felix on, fab. music. and just listenin to a track on allmemphismusic

[Deadkurtrulz]

This is what is magical about music.

Musicians are not magical people.

They are regular people that have magical moments.

Thanks Felix for putting that moment in a jar for all of us.

[dianemarino]

Felix is a true music legend. Check out his new 2008 version of "Groovin"- duet with myself (Diane Marino) and the great F.C. I'ts on my new CD "Just Groovin".You can hear it here at youtube, I-tunes, Amazon, etc.

Felix swings!

[ogdroadsong]

cheers for posting that - if he was trying to capture the feeling of bliss with that song he certainly succeeded!

[Nuudles12]

Felix do have a sexy voice and it makes me have goose bumps GO FELIX GO you still look good to me thanks for the interview love always from your fan for life.

[ccryder1968]

You are so awesome,Felix!

[saunders49]

Thanks for the memories Felix. You helped make my teen years the happiest times of my life. "Groovin"" brings back memories of the greatest music that we boomers ever experienced.

[anhacus]

I was a kid in Jersey City when I first heard this song, kissing my first girl friend. Magical. Love was in the air in those days. This song captures a lazy summer day for me.

[electrochubb]

Well said Felix,your '67-today peformances captured that 'love/magic vibe' forever...not many can say that you know....

[jstelluto]

Great interview seth! Felix is a great person and I really enjoy working with him still.

Jim

[PHYZOE]

He looks like a grandfather, and one with much wisdom. Our celebration of life presses on.

[yomamadontdanz]

great voice,but felix looks like a porn directer

[Ky1958]

What a great piece of music...Eddie and Felix wrote a beautiful song to be sure...one of many in their time together. ;-)

[pungooer]

Thank you for posting this sethswirsky it is interesting , always loved this song.

[lovetheoldies]

the "olympics" originally recorded "good lovin". It was a very good record but it was done in an earlier time before groups like the rascals, the who, the kinks etc. injected intensity into their records. BTW a young Billy Preston played organ on the olypics version.

[5srgold]

The average Rascals fan probably doesn't know this. "Good Lovin'", a #1 pop hit for the Rascals in 1966, was first recorded by an African American group and only climbed to #88 on the Billboard 'Hot 100' chart. Just shows-to-go-ya what a great band can do with a good song but not-so-good an arrangement. Way-2-go Rascals. 5srgold

[bravenewhope]

Really, 5srgold? It had nothing to do with anything else, like whether the earlier version was well-promoted or not? "Great band" and "commercial success" are two VERY different things. I know of a lot of mediocre bands that were more successful than they should have been, and a lot of great bands that didn't achieve the success to match their abilites through no fault of their own. Often times, it's just the nature of the business, the cream doesn't always rise to the top.

[peacewomanisrael]

This was one of the themes of the show "dreamgirls" based on the Supremes. The black bands didn't get the promotion they deserved and then the white boys made the hits. Thank God that didn't last long. the greatest black talents live on forever right here in youtube.

But the Rascals-- white Italian boys from New Jersey -- they had soul. Great band.

[bry3921]

peacewoman, you're right to a point. The rip-off, abuse, and thievery of Black Musicians is tragic, and well documented. However, in this era Gordy and Motown was black owned, promoted, dominated, and defined our culture. Muscle Shoals, and Stax also ruled. Jersey is soul; Rascals, Jaheim, Wayne Shorter, Four Seasons, Sarah Vaughn, Queen Latifah, Soul Survivors, Sheeeet, ole blue eyes from Hoboken. The Boss. It's called the Garden State 'cause that's where the seeds are sown.

[DatSoulBoss]

@5srgold The problem with the original by The Olympics (which was only recorded a year earlier) couldalso be that it was recorded on Loma Records, a subsidiary of Warner, whose records didn't generally receive the promotion that Warner put behind the main label's artist. With that said, The Rascals took the feel of the original & took it to places that the original only hinted at. Not to mention that the original had more of a Latin feel, almost like "El Watusi" on steroids.

[krc3717]

Felix is full of ----! I dated him for 10 years while he going thru "the" divorce! He is filming this at Donna's house, his new "OLD" girl! Hope you young girls do not get involved. I wasted my 30's with an old man!! His ex will tell you the same. Watch out Miss Donna....it's cumming!!

[skyavalanche]

Sad that you would percieve any part of your life as "wasted"...let alone by airing your relationship history with Felix. Sounds to me that you still care for the guy. Hope you can embrace the idea that when we learn our lessons with another soul..it's time to move on...and move on with love and gratitude. Sounds like a spin of "It's a Beautiful Morning" might lighten your soul.

[fairnorth]

Mr. Cavaliere, your 1994 album "Dreams in Motion" was fantastic ! It brought back great memories of The Rascals glory years. Thanks !

[Apexclipper]

One of the best songs ever, I can still remember it's first radio air play one summer long ago. Musical and lyrical talent today pales compared to that era...

[iluvmyb3]

This man is one of my greatest Hammond B-3 influences.

[dharmamark]

Great band too! and those Hammond B-3s were super. There my favorite organ to drum with. How bout Jimmy Smith?

[JewishRage]

Jimmy Smith created the standard drawbar settings for all Hammond organists to follow.

[krc3717]

Got it dude!!!