The Mamas and the Papas held the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 the week of May 3, 1966, with ‘Monday, Monday,’ a song I featured on the blog during a post about my favorite movies of the 2010s (it appeared in the great documentary Tower).
At #2 that week, dropping from its chart-topping position a week prior, was The Young Rascals’ ‘Good Lovin’.’ This was the second single from the band’s eponymous debut album and their first of three #1 hits (1967’s ‘Groovin” and 1968’s ‘People Got to Be Free’ would follow).
This was the third version of ‘Good Lovin” released in less than a year. The first, with different lyrics and arranging, was by soul singer Limmie Snell recording as Lemme B. Good. The second, essentially identical to The Young Rascals’ version, was by The Olympics.
It might be the same song, but The Young Rascals gave it an energy and spirit that epitomizes the subtle difference between a good song and a great one.
I recall discovering ‘Good Lovin” through the excellent soundtrack to Lawrence Kasdan’s 1983 film The Big Chill. That soundtrack was my first exposure to some of the 60s best music.
One, two, three!
(Good lovin’, good lovin’)
(Good lovin’, good lovin’)
[Verse 1]
I was feelin’ so bad
I asked my family doctor just what I had
I said “Doctor (Doctor), Mr. M.D. (Doctor)
Now can you tell me what’s ailin’ me?” (Doctor)
[Pre-Chorus]
He said, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yes indeed, all I, I really need
[Chorus]
(Good lovin’) Now gimme that lovin’
(Good lovin’) All I need is lovin’
(Good lovin’) Good, good lovin’, baby
(Good lovin’)
[Verse 2]
Honey, please squeeze me tight (Squeeze me tight)
Don’t you want your baby to be alright? (Be alright)
I said baby (Baby), “Now it’s for sure (It’s for sure)
I got the fever, yeah, and you got the cure” (Got the cure)
[Pre-Chorus]
Everybody, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yes indeed, all I really need
[Chorus]
(Good lovin’) Now come on, now gimme that lovin’
(Good lovin’) All I need is lovin’
(Good lovin’) Good, good lovin’, baby
(Good lovin’)
Oowww!
[Outro]
(Good lovin’, good lovin’)
(Good lovin’) All I need is lovin’
(Good lovin’) All I want is lovin’
(Good lovin’) Lovin’ early in the morning
(Good lovin’) Lovin’ late at night
(Good lovin’) Love is love
(Good lovin’) Love, love, love, love, love
Meet Me In Montauk 