Song #185: "Groovin'" by The Young Rascals

Date: May 20, 1967
Weeks: 4

It's tough reviewing a song I've never heard from a band that is way better known for other songs. It's hard to escape the feeling that it reached the top of the charts based on goodwill from their other songs rather than on its own merits. The Young Rascals (a.k.a. The Rascals) have at least two songs that have passed the test of time. One hit No. 1 and we'll get to it eventually, "Good Lovin'" (#158). The other is "A Beautiful Morning." Both of those are regular features of television and movie soundtracks. Classics. This song has been forgotten by time.

And it's probably rightly forgotten. It's one of the most gentle songs I've ever heard, and that includes songs like "Shake You Down" (#618), and much of the rest of the late 80s. The music is slight and minimal. Even the percussion is gentle. The exception to this is the harmonica, which is bold but is also kind of cloying.

The singing isn't even that good. As I've said before, when the music is light the vocals stand out, and these guys just aren't that good. Their other songs are simply better music, because they focus on their talents, which is happy, poppy, music.

The lyrics are just as gentle as everything else, so at least it matches. "Groovin' on a Sunday afternoon." The lyrics make me think of a sunny summer day in the park. In that way, I suppose the lyrics successfully match the music.

My verdict: Don't like it. The whole song feels like it should be the soundtrack for a pleasant walk in the park on a nice day, but I prefer my walks in the park to just sound like chirping birds and natural park sounds.