This song peaked at #4 in the Billboard 100 in 1967. How Can I Be Sure was written by Rascals Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati. Another great single by The Young Rascals.
The Young Rascals formed in Garfield New Jersey in 1965. They were Eddie Brigati (vocals), Felix Cavaliere (keyboard, vocals), Gene Cornish (guitar), and Dino Danelli (drums). The group had plenty of success, songs such as “A Beautiful Morning, “Good Lovin,’” “A Girl Like You,” and “People Got to be Free.” They had three number 1 hits, 6 Top Ten hits, and a total of 18 songs in the Billboard 100 before they disbanded in 1972.
From Songfacts
This song was a follow-up to “Groovin’,” and was a huge hit. It’s a soulful ballad about the doubts of one’s first great love, particularly when the love is one-sided. The song was popular enough that it was covered by many artists, most notably David Cassidy in 1972, whose version reached #25 on the Billboard Top 100.
Like “Groovin’,” .
The Young Rascals’ original version didn’t hit in the UK and the first time it charted was in 1970 when a revival by Dusty Springfield scraped into the charts at #36. Two years later David Cassidy, who was at the time along with The Osmonds the most popular teen idol in the UK, went all the way to the top of the British singles chart with his cover.
How Can I Be Sure?
How can I be sure
In a world that’s constantly changin’?
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 tellin’ 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 ‘n’ lovely as you
How can I be sure
I really, really, really, wanna kno-o-ow
I really, really, really, wanna kno-o-ow
(insturmental)
How’s the weather?
Weather or not, we’re together
Together, we’ll see it much better
I love you, I love you forever
You know where I can be found
How can I be sure
In a world that’s constantly changing?
How can I be sure?
I’ll be sure with you.
PowerPop... An Eclectic Collection of Pop Culture 
Great song!
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Thank you!
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Nice! I don’t think I’ve heard their version… I remember Cassidy’s version (which was ok actually) when I was a young kid, knew it wasn’t his original but didn’t know where it came from.
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No one can be sure when it comes to love.
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I like this band getting attention because they’re good and overlooked.
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They were mostly a singles band but a very good singles band that…you are right…they get lost in the shuffle.
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I remember this fondly. Such a pretty song. The singer’s voice sounds close to Frankie Vallie (sp?) Is that an accordian I hear in the background?
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Sure is… I had this bookmarked for some odd reason a long time ago… You might like this…
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/accordion-songs/
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Just checked it out. That’s a great list. I remember loving the old Lawrence Welk show with Myron Floren on the accordian. He was one of my favorites. My grandma’s too 🙂
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I remember that show…I remember the bubbles
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I know of the band; I know of the song …. but not that it was one of theirs. Just always related it to David Cassidy … bet the songwriter is not in the slightest bit worried their version is not so well known. Kerchiiiing!
(There you go – every day’s a school day here in Blogland.)
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Heh. I didn’t know David Cassidy did a cover. LOL! I’ve only known this version.
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That is me also. As much as my sister loved him … it’s a wonder
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Changing the subject (LOL!), check this out:
https://underthepecantreephotography.com/2019/06/16/paul-mccartneys-freshen-up-tour-2018-2019-in-arlington-texas/
Blogger I follow out of the Dallas area (German immigrant as a kid).
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I can’t imagine my grandfater…both of them when they were alive getting around like that…when I think about it in that context…it blows my mind.
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The man’s joy of his music talent and fan adoration keeps him going. Oh, and, being rich and having access to the best medicine helps, too.
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He does still love playing live
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Can’t help but hear Tom jones singing this
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That came out of the blue lol. But yea I can hear it.
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The arrangement and range is perfect for him. Give him the mic!
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Is that the Wrecking Crew I hear behind the band?
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They usually played themselves… the additional musicians were David Brigati – vocals. Hubert Laws – flute, Chuck Rainey – bass guitar…
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It’s a great song in any version, one of those songs that it’s hard to do a bad version of, though my go-to version is surprisingly…David Cassidy – he was never better and really invests it with teen angst.
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I didn’t know he did a version of it until I wrote this. I should have known because my sister loved him back then.
It is a very good version.
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