‘How Can I Be Sure’ is a popular song written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, and originally recorded by the Young Rascals for their 1967 album Groovin' with a single release in August 1967 affording the group their fourth Top 10 hit peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, ranking as the most successful (Young) Rascals' hit featuring a lead vocal by Eddie Brigati. The single's B-side, ‘I'm So Happy Now’ (also included on the Groovin' album), was written and sung by Rascals guitarist Gene Cornish. Featuring a unique guitar phase-out ending, it was the first Cornish-penned song to appear on a Rascals single.
Of a rock-oriented band such as the (Young) Rascals introducing a traditional pop-style song such as ‘How Can I Be Sure’ Cavaliere has stated: "The only reason we were brave enough to do that was [that] the Beatles did 'Michelle' and 'Yesterday'." (Cavaliere had an especial awareness of the Beatles, having toured Europe with them in 1963 when he was a member of Joey Dee and the Starliters; the Rascals would also open for the Beatles at Shea Stadium 15 August 1965). The track features the sounds of a trumpet, bass, piano, drums, and strings, suggesting the sounds of cabaret music as well as a concertina, chosen so as to add to the song the vibe of a French café. The song's musical styles include blue-eyed soul and pop.
‘How Can I Be Sure’ was one of several songs inspired by group founder Felix Cavaliere's girlfriend Adrienne Becchuri, a Pelham (New York) high school student Cavaliere met in 1966, the year he turned 24: (Felix Cavaliere said, "I fell madly in love with this woman who actually turned out to be a muse. Really the only reason she was in my life was to spark that kind of emotion and feeling that generates those types of songs." Cavaliere and Buccheri remained a couple for a year, with Cavaliere first celebrating Buccheri in the blissful Rascals' hits ‘Groovin'’ and ‘A Girl Like You’, and then with the introspective ‘How Can I Be Sure’ expressing doubts about the relationship — he and Buccheri had recently become engaged — and despite the positive resolution of the song Cavaliere did in fact realize that she was too young - Felix Cavaliere explained, "I woke up one day and said: 'What the hell am I doing? I'm going out with a kid.'".
The Young Rascals' original version didn't hit in the UK and the first time it charted was in 1970 when a revival by Dusty Springfield scraped into the charts at #36. Two years later David Cassidy, who was at the time along with The Osmonds the most popular teen idol in the UK, went all the way to the top of the British singles chart with his cover and reached #25 on the Billboard Top 100.
Label – Atlantic
Songwriters – Felix Cavaliere, Eddie Brigati
Producers – The Young Rascals
SONG LYRICS
How can I be sureIn a world that's constantly changin'?
How can I be sure
Where I stand with you?
Whenever I
Whenever I am away from you
I wanna die
'cause you know I wanna stay with you
How do I know?
Maybe you're trying to use me
Flying too high can confuse me
Touch me but don't take me down
Whenever I
Whenever I am away from you
My alibi, is tellin' people I don't care for you
Maybe I'm just hanging around
With my head up, upside down
It's a pity
I can't seem to find someone
Who's as pretty 'n' lovely as you
How can I be sure
I really, really, really, wanna kno-o-ow
I really, really, really, wanna kno-o-ow
(instrumental)
How's the weather?
Whether or not we're together
Together, we'll see it much better
I love you, I love you forever
You know where I can be found
How can I be sure
In a world that's constantly changing?
How can I be sure?
I'll be sure with you.