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

The Byrds - Goin' Back (1967)

Originally known as The Jet Set, this band was eventually inspired to use an unconventional spelling for their finalized name by The Beatles. From their cover songs, such as Pete Seeger’s “Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There is a Season)” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man,” to the tracks they penned themselves, they put together some of the most memorable songs to come out of the 1960s. Becoming one of the top selling acts for a brief period, they also saw their individual members go on to continue great things after the end of the band. David Crosby, for instance, went on to co-create Crosby, Stills & Nash, while nearly all of the other members had successful solo careers. An attempt to summarize the intricate history of this band, their music, and its members in this small space would more than likely not be possible. Their work has inspired countless other artists and their music continues to help define the 1960s.

This is the song that split The Byrds apart. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King in 1966, it was a bit slower and a slightly bit more country than what the band had normally been putting out. David Crosby didn’t like it at all. He disliked it even more after finding out that it was considered over “Triad,” a song he had written, for their upcoming album. With tensions getting high, Crosby was fired from the group and this song was released as a single (in 1967). It also later appeared on the band’s 1968 album The Notorious Byrd Brothers. The song has been recorded and released by man artists, including Dusty Springfield, Nils Lofgren, The Move, Diana Ross, Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, The Pretenders, and many others.



The Byrds - Goin' Back (1967)

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Lyrics:

I think I'm goin' back
To the things I learned so well in my youth
I think I'm returning to
Those days when I was young enough to know the truth
Now there are no games
To only pass the time
No more electric trains
No more trees to climb
But thinking young and growing older is no sin
And I can play the game of life to win

I can recall a time
When I wasn't ashamed to reach out to a friend
Now I think I've got
A lot more than just my toys to lend
Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
But every day can be
A magic carpet ride
A little bit of courage is all we lack
So catch me if you can
I'm goin' back

Now there's more to do
Than watch my sailboat glide
But every day can be
A magic carpet ride
A little bit of courage is all we lack
So catch me if you can
I'm goin' back

The Mascots - Words Enough to Tell You (1965)

Originally known as the Western Trio, this band was from Sweden and made up of members who first came together at their music school, Adolf Fredrik Music School. Highly influenced by the output of music from England happening during the British Invasion, they primarily sang in English, but would occasionally put out a song in their native Swedish (listen to “Lyckan”). They reached the Swedish Top Ten five different time, most notably with their big hit heard below. If you enjoy what you hear, I recommend purchasing their compilation album, Mascots: 1964-68!.

First written for a competition in Bildjournalen magazine in 1965, this song beat out songs by the Shanes and Merrymen in a popular vote. It took a year before the song was released on vinyl and, by then, it had been a bit too late. But, considering the group was Sweden’s top band for a while, it made little difference. The band still played around Sweden, opening for artists such as The Who, The Moody Blues, The Hollies, and Chuck Berry, among others. If you like this song, try listening to “When I Return,” “Goodbye,” or “Walking with My Angel.”



The Mascots - Words Enough to Tell You (1965)

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Lyrics:

There is nothing else I’d rather do
I would love to give my love to you
And as you’re looking on to me
I know what love could be
If there were only
Words enough to tell you

Once before I saw you in the crowd
Having fun with lots of guys around
Oh, how I wished you call my own
And let me get alone
I know you’d give me
Words enough to tell you

I know you’d be the only girl for me
And that’s the reason I will always be
In love with you

And as you’re looking on to me
I know what love could be
If there were only
Words enough to tell you

Words to tell you
Words to tell you
Words to tell you