The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

Three out of four members of this band had originally been replacement members in Joey Dee and the Starliters, who were known for putting out “Peppermint Twist” in 1961. Originally going by the name “Rascals” when they started their own group, there was a complaint made by Johnny Puleo and Borrah Minnevitch to alter their name because it was too similar to their “Harmonica Rascals.” Switching to “The Young Rascals,” the name stuck for over two years. After the release of their single “It’s Wonderful,” the band released all future singles and albums under their final name seen above. Known for hit songs such as “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” and “A Beautiful Morning,” the group began to dissolve in 1970 and completely disbanded in 1972. Widely recognized for refusing to play where crowds were segregated, they are credited with influencing many white acts, such as Leslie West (Mountain) and Vanilla Fudge, in the pursuit of performing rhythm and blues.

This song was released as the B-Side of a single in 1969, a few years after the group’s peak. Featuring “Hold On” as its A-Side, the single was released in mid-December and charted best in Canada, where it reached number twenty-two. Having been on Atlantic Records from their beginnings, this single and the two that followed would be their last releases for Atlantic before switching over to Columbia in mid-1971.



The Rascals - I Believe (1969)

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Lyrics:

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)

Love, your magic is everywhere
You know, sweet vibrations just fill the air
Yeah

Bright star that’s shinin’ in your diamond eyes
Lights up my each and every day
When one heart finds another on the road of life
Time stops and joy takes you away

Love, your magic is everywhere
Peace vibrations are always there

The warm sunshine reminds me of your gentle touch
I see your smile in every hill, every tree
The secret garden of my heart belongs to you alone
Like a flower was meant for the bee

(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh, child
(I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe)
Oh

In each beat of my heart I can hear your name
I feel love with every breath that I take
With your love I’ve become awake
In a wondrous and a beautiful place

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air

When I see a flower or a tree
I can see your smiling face in everything that I see
In the mountain, in the stream

It’s love, your magic is everywhere
Those sweet vibrations just fill the air