I’m so thankful for a cousin who gave me and my sister a lot of singles. Cool singles, not the ones my sister had. I remember this single because of the artwork. The singles artwork really caught my attention, and when I think of this song, I think of the single spinning around. The groove in this song is hard to resist.
This band helped bridge the gap between Motown soul and straight-up rock and roll. This band was Motown’s attempt to be played on FM radio, and it worked. Rare Earth’s success was more than just a one-off hit; it marked a turning point for Motown. Before these Detroit rockers came along, Berry Gordy’s label was almost exclusively known for its soul and R&B greats: The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. But in 1969, Gordy decided to take a chance on the growing rock audience and launched Rare Earth Records, a Motown imprint named after the band itself. The idea worked while it showcased white rock groups who could carry that Motown groove into new territory. Berry took a chance and it paid off with this band.
Rare Earth was a blue-collar group of guys who could play as hard as Grand Funk but still had a Motown groove. The band had already made some noise with stretched-out covers like Get Ready, (I Know) I’m Losing You, but I Just Want to Celebrate was the one they will be remembered by the most.
This song peaked at #7 on the Billboard 100 and #10 in Canada in 1971. It was off their album One World. This was Rare Earth’s last top 10 single. The song was written by Dino Fekaris and Nick Zesses. This song has been covered by a span of artists, such as David Ruffin, rapper Foxy Brown, Metallica, and Marshall Crenshaw. How is that for different genres?
The song has had one of those second lives most bands only dream about. Decades after its release, the song kept finding new audiences, blasting out in movies like Tropic Thunder, Three Kings, and A Knight’s Tale, and even in TV spots for Ford, Nike, and Coca-Cola.
The song has been in countless commercials and movies. It is one of those songs that makes you feel good! It’s got soul, rock, and that Detroit groove, no overthinking, just joy. The band is still playing today, but with no original members.
I Just Want To Celebrate
One, two, three, four
I just want to celebrate another day of livin’
I just want to celebrate another day of life
I put my faith in the people
But the people let me down
So I turned the other way
And I carry on, anyhow
That’s why I’m telling you
I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of life
Had my hand on the dollar bill
And the dollar bill flew away
But the sun is shining down on me
And it’s here to stay
That’s why I’m telling you
I just want to celebrate, yeah, yeah
Another day of living, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day of livin’
I just want to celebrate another day of life
Don’t let it all get you down, no, no
Don’t let it turn you around and around and around, no
Well, I can’t be bothered with sorrow
And I can’t be bothered with hate, no, no
I’m using up the time but feeling fine, every day
That’s why I’m telling you I just want to celebrate
Oh, yeah
I just want to celebrate another day
Oh, I just want to celebrate another day of livin’
I just want to celebrate another day of life
Don’t let it all get you down, no, no
Don’t let it turn you around and around, and around, and around
And around, and round, and round
Round, round, round, round
Round, round, round, round
Round, round, round, round
Don’t go round
I just want to celebrate
I just want to celebrate
Well, I just want to celebrate
Said I just want to celebrate (celebrate)
I just want to celebrate (I want to celebrate)
I just want to celebrate (I got to celebrate)
I just want to celebrate
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Awesome! 😎
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Now that you mention it their music was a bit of a bridge. That is a cool logo for sure. Don’t recall buying any of their records but several great songs.
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Thanks Randy…it’s one of those songs you don’t think about until you hear it…if that makes sense…but I love it.
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Totally
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Not a bad song I never gave a lot of thought to. I heard it often in the ’80s when I had on the Classic Rock station (which wasn’t that often mind you). I had no idea it was Motown nor woulda guessed looking at that cool 45. They put me in mind of Sly & The Family Stone a bit
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You know? You got me thinking….Other than oldies channels (50s)…we didnt’ have a classic rock station until the late 80s. Our big rock station would play this song, Van Halen, Def Leppard and then the Beatles…they mixed it all up. It’s a really cool song and a good idea by Motown to reach another audience.
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well basically Toronto was the same as what you’re describing – maybe ‘classic rock’ wasn’t the right word. Q107 would play about a 50-50 mix of the new rock (like you said, VH, Def Leppard, Aerosmith etc) and older rock from the ’60s into mid-70s the old Stones, Deep Purple etc. And they had a few shows which were all retro rock which was probably the times I heard this one.
In answer to CincinnatiBabyhead’s question, or comment at least, Detroit was certainly a great musical center but I think half of it was it was known as a centre. A lot of artists moved there from Ohio, the South etc with hopes of signing to Motown or getting noticed there at least. Certainly a big music scene, like Philadelphia became in the ’70s
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Ok…good we weren’t the only ones..;.and you know what? I would LISTEN today if they did that again. Mix them up! But nooooo we have to put everything in a box.
Yes it was huge…I named out the bands on the top of my head…which was just a fraction of them.
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I gave my nephew a birthday card that played this song when it was opened.
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Thats a cool idea. Bailey had a teddy bear that played an Earth, Wind, and Fire song… Shining Star.
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Such a fun song. Just makes you happy listening to it!
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Yes it does! Great way to start the day!
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Another band out of Detroit. What was with all that music coming out of the motor City?
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Yea…something in the water…Seger, the Stooges, Cooper, The MC5…
I’m hooked on that groove…
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I think I told you I had a buddy who was a big Seger System and Rare Earth guy. That’s where I found this music. I like them. I have an album I think it’s in the shape of a backpack.
Musician question Max. I heard it was tricky playing the drums and being the sing Levon comes to mind and I’ve heard comments about that.
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Yea I liked what I’ve heard from them as well…
CB…it’s very hard to play drums and sing. An Oooh or ahhh is one thing….but actually singing is hard. Levon I think was the best at it because he didn’t do easy drum patterns. Also playing bass and lead singing is hard because…playing bass and singing on some songs is almost like soloing on guitar while singing. It took me a long time to learn how to do it with Brown Eyed Girl…bass and lead vocals.
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I knew there was a lot going on and it wasnt easy that they make it look.
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Always liked this song. I bought a 2 CD anthology of Rare Earth at a used music store in town quite a few months back. Have listened to some of it, but will have to really delve into it. Had pretty extensive liner notes. Good song.
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That sounds like a great anthology…I don’t know much about them except for the three hits…the drummer is not only good but has a great voice as well. Love the groove.
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Max, you just made me think of something. You know how the Brits took black music and sent it back to us? Gordy took soul and transformed it through white performers in the same way. I always loved grooving to Rare Earth radio songs, had no idea Barry made it happen. I will say it does not make the grade for FM radio imo. Great music choice for this Friday.
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That is true about Gordy doing it and putting a spin on it. It worked with this band.
Lisa…say a quiet cheer for my Dodgers please LOL.
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{{{yay}}} I see they are playing tonight at 8? I see a win for Dodgers.
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YES! Thank you! I’ll be by tomorrow Lisa!
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❤
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Does your sister read your blog, Max? Just asking! 🙂
“I Just Want to Celebrate” is a great song – love the energy. The one song that comes to my mind when thinking Rare Earth is their killer version of The Temptations’ “Get Ready.”
Of course, it has to be the 21-minute studio version. I guess you could call it a progressive rock rendition of a soul song!
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LOL…sometimes! I tell her in person! She went to see the Osmonds instead of the Rolling Stones in 1972 with Stevie Wonder opening up…so…do you blame me? I have never let her live that down.
I LOVE that version of Get Ready!
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I didn’t know this at all. I reckon there’s a tiny bit of prog in there somewhere.
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I never considered Rare Earth a Motown product. How many white bands succeeded in this genre then?
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Oh not many….I’m trying to think of some now.
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Well, that’s a band I managed to miss somehow! Great sound (in more ways than one). I’ve bookmarked this.
The design on the label looks like something out of fritz the cat…!
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i grew up with the single…so sometimes I just take it for granted that many people know it. I did notice that many from other countries didn’t know it…and some from America.
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