‘Groovin'’ is a song written by the American singer songwriters Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, initially recorded by their group the Young Rascals in 1967. Musically, the song differs from most of band's previous output, leaving the garage rock genre for Latin American influences, such as baião. The song was inspired by Cavaliere's then-girlfriend, Adrienne Buccheri, who according to him caused emotions that were "tailor-made to that style of music". In a later interview, Cavaliere stated that he believed Buccheri to be "divinely sent for the purpose of inspiring my creativity". The day of Sunday proved to be an additional general inspiration for Cavaliere in conceiving the song, as that was the sole day that he had a chance to spend time with Buccheri. Cavaliere states that ‘Groovin'’ was a reflection of "the bliss I felt relaxing with her on Sunday afternoons, watching the world go by".
After recording had been completed, Jerry Wexler, the head of Atlantic Records, was initially sceptical about releasing ‘Groovin'’ as a single due to its vastly different musical style compared to the band's previous singles. The song was thus nearly shelved, had it not been for a chance meeting with disc jockey Murray the K. According to Cavaliere, Murray the K had been present during the recording session of ‘Groovin'’. While listening to the playback of the song, he "went nuts" and stated that it was a "certain smash". Murray the K convinced Wexler by stating that he would play it on his radio show, ensuring it would become a number one hit. Upon initial release, ‘Groovin'’ received widespread critical acclaim by critics, who noted the new direction the Young Rascals took with the single. Owing to the success, it became the title track of the band's third studio album.
‘Groovin'’ was released in the US on April 10, 1967, backed by another song written by Cavaliere and Brigati, ‘Sueño’. On the Billboard Hot 100, the single entered on April 22 at number 79. It peaked at number one a month later, on May 20, becoming the Young Rascals' second number one single and top-ten entry on the Billboard Hot 100. It initially spent two consecutive weeks at number one before being dislodged by Aretha Franklin's cover of ‘Respect’ on June 2. ‘Respect’ spent two weeks at number one before ‘Groovin'’ once again reached number one on June 17, staying there for two weeks. ‘Groovin'’ dropped off the Billboard Hot 100 chart completely from a position of 38 on July 17. At the time, ‘Groovin'’ beat the Billboard milestone of dropping off the charts entirely the fastest after reaching number one. Elsewhere in North America, ‘Groovin'’ also reached number three on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, along with topping the Cash Box top 100 singles and R&B chart. In Canada, it reached number one on both the RPM Top 100 and R&B chart.
In the UK, ‘Groovin'’ was released on May 5, 1967. It entered the Record Retailer chart on May 31 at a position of 48, before peaking at number eight on July 4. It dropped off the charts on August 22 at a position of 48, having spent 13 weeks in total. ‘Groovin'’ became the Young Rascals' only top-20 single in the UK. Elsewhere in the world, ‘Groovin'’ became a top-twenty hit in Oceania, reaching number three in Australia and number 13 in New Zealand.
Label – Atlantic
Songwriters – Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati
Producers – The Rascals
SONG LYRICS
[Intro][Chorus 1]
Groovin' on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus 2]
Movin' down a crowded avenue
Doin' anything we like to do
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus 1]
Groovin' on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away too soon
No, no, no, no
[Bridge]
[Verse 3]
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
[Chorus]
Groovin' on a Sunday afternoon
Really couldn't get away to soon
No, no, no, no
[Outro]
Groovin' (uh huh, uh huh)
Groovin'