Who the heck is Leslie, anyway?

May 23, 2015 5:10 PM

It's almost summer, so here's the story behind one of the best ever pop songs about spending time outside. The Young Rascals, Groovin'.
posted by freakazoid (7 comments total)

First link works from Google, but not here. I am sad.

Go to google and type in Young Rascals groovin and it should show up.
posted by freakazoid at 5:13 PM on May 23, 2015

Thanks for this, I've always loved the song.

Mr. Cornish: I was going to record the bass part, but I couldn't quite get what Felix wanted. Chris suggested Chuck Rainey, who played bass in King Curtis's band. We booked him the next day for 8 a.m., but when we arrived he was already there and had recorded the track. He nailed it.

Professionalism!
posted by languagehat at 5:53 PM on May 23, 2015 [4 favorites]

A few days ago I walked into a bar on 213th and Broadway in Kingsbridge to take a leak. The Young Rascals "How Can I be Sure" was playing. Must be something in the air.
posted by jonmc at 5:58 PM on May 23, 2015 [2 favorites]

The song was very quickly picked up by Booker T. and the MGs, who took their recording to #21. Also covered by Aretha, Marvin, and the Wicked Pickett. Each of them put their individual stamp on the song, but I can't say anyone did it better than the Rascals.
posted by ogooglebar at 9:48 PM on May 23, 2015

Love this song, and here's a (Canadian) cover I really dig.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:51 PM on May 23, 2015

The article is paywalled in the UK. Seemingly, if you copy the link address and paste it into a Google search box you get a link that works. Not that I would advocate bypassing paywalls you understand. Amusingly, the video link at the end of the article has been taken down due to reported copyright infringement.
posted by epo at 12:11 AM on May 24, 2015

Paywalled out. Bummer.
posted by kinnakeet at 3:46 AM on May 24, 2015