The Rascals, originally known as the Young Rascals, were one of the most popular and successful rock bands to emerge from the 1960s New York music scene. Formed in 1965, the group consisted of Felix Cavaliere on keyboards and vocals, Eddie Brigati on lead vocals, Gene Cornish on guitar, and Dino Danelli on drums.
In 1968, at the height of the civil rights movement and anti-war protests, the band released their iconic song “People Got to Be Free.” The upbeat, soulful track was written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, and it became an instant hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The lyrics of “People Got to Be Free” call for racial equality and freedom, with lines like “all the world over, same song/Everybody needs somebody to love.” Cavaliere has said the song was inspired by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy earlier that year. The optimistic message and lively Motown-influenced sound made it an anthem for the 1960s counterculture movement.
“People Got to Be Free” was included on the Rascals’ 1968 album of the same name. It became one of the band’s signature songs and helped cement their reputation as one of the premier blue-eyed soul acts of the era. The track’s timeless message of unity and liberation continues to resonate with listeners today, serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice.
