How Can I Be Sure

The Rascals

About How Can I Be Sure

"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 No. 4. "How Can I Be Sure" peaked at #4 on the Hot 100 in Billboard in October 1967, 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 [because] the Beatles did 'Michelle' and 'Yesterday'." (Cavaliere had an especial awareness of the Beatles having toured Europe with them in 1963 when Cavaliere was a member of Joey Dee and the Starliters; also the Rascals would open for the Beatles at Shea Stadium 15 August 1965). The track features the sounds of a trumpet, bass, piano, drums, and strings, giving the feeling of cabaret music as well as a concertina, chosen to add the feel of a French café. The song's musical styles include blue-eyed soul and pop. The song came out of the experience with transcendental meditation that the Rascals were involved in."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 quote:) "I fell madly in love with this woman who actually turned out to be a muse...[R]eally 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 decide that he and Buccheri best part ((Felix Cavaliere quote:)I woke up one day and said: 'What the hell am I doing? I'm going out with a kid.'"). 


Year:
1968
2:56
116 

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How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
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 telling 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
 and lovely as you.

How can I be sure?  I really really really wanna know.
I really really really wanna know.  Oh.

How can I be sure in a world that's constantly changing?
How can I be sure?  I'll be sure with you.

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The Rascals

The Rascals (initially known as The Young Rascals) were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the #1 hits "Good Lovin'" (1966), "Groovin'" (1967), and "People Got to Be Free" (1968), as well as "A Beautiful Morning" (#3 1968) and the lesser-known "A Girl Like You". The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. more »

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Written by: Edward J Brigati, Felix Cavaliere

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origin
"How Can I Be Sure" was a song performed by the American rock band The Rascals, also known as The Young Rascals. They were more popularly known as The Young Rascals in the early stage of their career.
Song Cataloguing
The song was released as the band's sixth single in 1967 and was featured on their third album, "Groovin'".
Popularity
"How Can I Be Sure" gained tremendous popularity and peaked at the #4 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. It also reached #2 in the Canada RPM 100.
Songwriting Credits
The song was co-written by band members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati, who were also the primary vocalists for The Rascals.
Distinctive feature
The track's distinctive sound comes from its prominent use of the vibraphone, flugelhorn, and piano, giving it a unique, jazz-tinged flavor.
Lyrics Essence
"How Can I Be Sure" is a song about uncertainty and doubt in a relationship. The heartfelt, introspective lyrics are a significant departure from the more optimistic and upbeat tone in some of The Rascals' earlier radiating songs.
Cover Versions
As a testament to its enduring popularity, "How Can I Be Sure" has been covered by several artists over the years, including Dusty Springfield, Shelley Fabares, and David Cassidy, among others.
Record Label
It was released under the catalog of Atlantic Records, a label famous for producing and promoting rock, R&B and soul music.
David Cassidy's version
In 1972, former Partridge Family actor David Cassidy recorded a cover of The Rascals' "How Can I Be Sure" that gained amazing success, reaching #1 in the UK Singles Chart.
Commercial Usage
The Rascals’ version was used in an advertisement for Nescafé coffee in the UK in the late 1990s. This exposure helped the song reach a new audience while also rekindling the interest of older fans.
Live performances
Captivating live performances of "How Can I Be Sure" were often included in concerts and setlists of The Rascals' shows, serving as a crowd favorite.

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