(The Hit Hammer is where I'm reviewing each #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Starting from when the chart started in 1958 and eventually working my way to the present. To see my inspiration and more information about this blog, please CLICK HERE)
The Rascals - "People Got to Be Free"
Hit Number 1: August 17, 1968
Stay at Number 1: 5 Weeks
The message in "People Got to Be Free" is pretty clear: Everyone should love each other and get along. The 1960's were full of songs that tried to convey powerful messages related to the times. However, most of these songs weren't anything too special, and it's arguable that the most powerful one, "Respect", wasn't even intended to be that way. The songs relied too much on their lyrics, and they left out the hooks that would actually help you remember the song. "People Got to Be Free" isn't quite like that. The song has some upbeat hooks, and it's a good deal of fun, but it's not all that powerful of a song.
Reportedly, the artists of the song, the Rascals, were involved in an ugly altercation with some "rednecks" after their tour vehicle broke down in Fort Pierce, Florida. The group by this point had grown their hair long, and grew beards too. Remember, this was the late-1960's, a time that involved the Flower Power Movement, the Vietnam War, and all the other 1960's bull crap ravaging the nation. Back then, some people hated the ideas of guys growing out their hair, or girls wearing flowers in their hair. (A look I am not ashamed to admit, I like) People saw that as being a part of the Hippie Movement, when in reality, they might have just liked the look. The late-1960's was a time where people tried to break away from the "standards" placed on them in society. That's what the Rascals tried to address with "People Got to Be Free".
You might be wondering how "People Got to Be Free" wouldn't be that powerful when it's addressing a well-known issue. That's pretty easy to figure out after you give the song a listen. It's filled of screeching howls from lead-singer Felix Cavaliere, along with a horn section, and fun, catchy hooks. But that stuff makes you forget about what the song's even telling you, and in all honesty, it's a pretty clumsy attempt at trying to convey a powerful message. There's a middle-ground here that these songs just can't seem to find. "People Got to Be Free" is an easily forgettable song. One that I'm shocked to see that it stayed at #1 for 5 weeks.
I have to tip my cap to the Rascals though, they tried. And they were serious too. They flat-out refused to play any live shows that didn't feature any black artists. They ended up sacrificing money and cancelled several shows because of their expectations not being met. I don't know if that move had anything to do with this, but the Rascals' popularity sunk rapidly after "People Got to Be Free". After being a mainstay on the charts around this time, they couldn't reclaim the #1 spot again.
GRADE: 4/10
JUST MISSED:
Steppenwolf's fiery, soul-driven, damn near a masterpiece "Born to Be Wild" peaked at #2 behind "People Got to Be Free" where it stayed for 3 weeks. It's a 9.
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