I Just Want to Celebrate

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track I Just Want to Celebrate by Rare Earth from their 1971 album One World, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks vibing with its infectious energy. This anthem of resilience and joy hit #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Rare Earth’s final top 10 single, also reaching #30 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart. Its raw, uplifting spirit made it a standout, with Joe Viglione at Allmusic noting that without it, One World might’ve been “an instant bargain-bin candidate.” The song’s legacy endures, featured in national ad campaigns for Ford Motor Company, AT&T, and Nicoderm, as well as the final episode of Six Feet Under and Nickelodeon’s 2007 “Superstuffed Nicktoons Weekend” promo. It’s been covered by artists like Vonda Van Dyke in 1971, Kim Boyce in 1988, and even Metallica, who shocked fans with a live rendition at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit in 2007 and again in 2014 at the MusiCares MAP Fund Benefit. In 2023, it kicked off the Grammy Awards with a multi-artist performance, cementing its place as a timeless celebration of life.

Another cool tidbit about I Just Want to Celebrate comes from its cultural impact. The song’s lyrics, penned by Dino Fekaris and Nick Zesses, resonate with a message of pushing through adversity, which has inspired covers and samples across genres. For instance, Austrian duo Klangkarussell and rapper Pitbull both incorporated its lyrics into their 2014 tracks titled Celebrate, with Pitbull’s version landing on the Penguins of Madagascar soundtrack. Rare Earth themselves performed it on NBC’s Midnight Special on February 2, 1973, showcasing their high-energy live presence. The song also holds a special place in Detroit’s music history, as Rare Earth was the first all-white act signed to Motown Records to achieve major chart success, breaking ground for the label’s rock-oriented subsidiary, Rare Earth Records.

Rare Earth’s journey began in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960 as The Sunliners, a group of young musicians tapping into the city’s rich rock and soul scenes. By 1968, they rebranded as Rare Earth, inspired by trendier band names like Iron Butterfly, and signed with Verve Records for their debut album, Dream/Answers, which flopped commercially. Their big break came in 1969 when Motown signed them, creating Rare Earth Records specifically for white rock acts. The band—originally Gil Bridges (saxophone, flute, vocals), Peter Hoorelbeke (drums, vocals), John Persh (bass, trombone, vocals), Rod Richards (guitar, vocals), and Kenny James (keyboards)—blended hard-driving rock with R&B, a sound that didn’t quite fit Motown’s studio musician-driven formula. Their cover of The Temptations’ Get Ready in 1969 became a hit, peaking at #4, and set the stage for originals like I Just Want to Celebrate. Despite lineup changes and Motown’s 1972 relocation to Los Angeles, Rare Earth kept recording into the 1990s, with their 1973 album Ma, produced by Norman Whitfield, considered a high point.

You can keep up with Rare Earth’s legacy through their official website, though its retro 1998 design is a nostalgic trip. They’re active on social media, sharing updates on gigs and history via their Facebook page. For fan communities, check out the Rare Earth Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks and other devotees swap stories, memorabilia, and love for the band’s funky rock vibes. Rare Earth’s Instagram and X accounts are quieter but still post occasional throwbacks and news. The band’s influence lives on, with their music still rocking events like Disney’s Hippie Fest and Classic Rock Festivals, even as they’ve faced losses like the passing of original member Gil Bridges in 2021.