“Get It On”: A Reflection of Rebellion and the Shifting Sands of the Sixties
Ah, Paul Revere & The Raiders. Now there’s a name that conjures up images of youthful energy, tri-cornered hats, and a healthy dose of good old-fashioned American rock and roll. For those of us who remember the vibrant, sometimes tumultuous, 1960s, their music wasn’t just background noise; it was the soundtrack to a generation finding its voice, often with a mischievous wink. While songs like “Kicks” and “Hungry” cemented their place in the pop firmament, reaching the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, there’s a deeper cut, a track that truly encapsulates the spirit of youthful abandon and burgeoning rebellion: “Get It On.”
Released in May 1966 on their highly acclaimed album Midnight Ride, “Get It On” wasn’t a charting single itself, overshadowed by the massive success of “Kicks” from the same LP. However, its inclusion on an album that peaked at number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified gold speaks volumes about its place within their artistic output. The Midnight Ride album itself is considered by many critics to be the pinnacle of Paul Revere & The Raiders‘ studio work, a testament to their evolution from a garage band to a sophisticated, yet still raw, rock outfit. It’s particularly notable for featuring songwriting credits from all five band members, a rare display of democratic artistry in a band often seen as dominated by the flamboyant Paul Revere and the teen-idol charisma of Mark Lindsay. “Get It On” was specifically co-written by guitarist Drake Levin and bassist Phil “Fang” Volk, two integral members whose contributions often get less spotlight than they deserve.
The story behind Paul Revere & The Raiders is one of calculated showmanship and undeniable musical talent. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, they honed their craft in the Pacific Northwest, developing a high-energy live show that quickly became their trademark. Their Revolutionary War costumes, initially a gag, became an iconic part of their identity, setting them apart from the rising tide of the British Invasion. They were the American answer, a homegrown band with a swagger and a sound that blended R&B grit with catchy pop melodies. Producer Terry Melcher played a pivotal role in shaping their sound, helping them find that sweet spot between raw energy and mainstream appeal. They became regulars on Dick Clark’s “Where The Action Is” and “Happening ’68” television shows, which undoubtedly propelled their image and music into homes across the nation. This exposure, while granting them immense popularity, also, paradoxically, led some “serious” music critics to dismiss them as a novelty act, an accusation that always felt a little unfair given the genuine musicality evident in tracks like “Get It On.”
The meaning of “Get It On” is less about a specific narrative and more about a feeling, a visceral urge for freedom and immediate gratification. It’s a primal call to action, to seize the moment, and to cast off the shackles of expectation. In the mid-1960s, as the counterculture began to truly bloom, this sentiment resonated deeply. It’s about breaking free from the mundane, from the stifling routines, and simply living. The raw energy of the guitar riffs, the driving rhythm section, and Mark Lindsay‘s impassioned vocals perfectly embody this unbridled desire. It’s a song that speaks to the restless spirit of youth, the longing to escape, to “ride like Paul Revere,” not necessarily warning of impending danger, but rushing headlong into new experiences.
For older readers, “Get It On” might evoke memories of those wild, unpredictable days when the world seemed to be opening up, when music was not just entertainment but a statement. It transports you back to sock hops and dimly lit basements, to the thrill of a first dance, or the sheer exhilaration of a car ride with the windows down and the radio blasting. It’s the sound of rebellion wrapped in a catchy package, a potent reminder of a time when the rules were changing, and everything felt possible. It reminds us of a simpler time, perhaps, but one no less charged with the electric energy of youth. Paul Revere & The Raiders, through songs like “Get It On,” didn’t just make music; they captured a fleeting, precious moment in American history.