Let's Live For Today - Uncensored Version

This song embodies the hippie ethos of seeking love, not money, and simply letting life unfold: "We'll take the most from living, have pleasure while we can."

Like Laura Branigan's "Gloria," this is a re-worked version of an Italian pop song that became a hit stateside when it was recorded with English lyrics. Even more confusing, the original Italian song was written and recorded by a British band. The Rokes were from England, but caught on in Italy, where they moved their operations. They began writing songs with Italian lyrics, including one called "Piangi Con Me," which translates to "Weep With Me." Written by band members David Shapiro and Ivan Mogul, the song was released in 1966 and became a hit in Italy. English lyrics were written by Michael Julien, a songwriter who worked at the group's publisher, and the song became "Let's Live For Today." The Rokes released their English version in the UK, which was quickly followed by a cover by The Living Daylights. The Rokes version got the attention of the American label Dunhill Records, which had their act The Grass Roots record it. This became the American hit version of the song - most listeners had no idea it began as an Italian tune.

This Grass Roots were formed as a studio act by producers Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan. When their song "Where Were You When I Needed You" (with Sloan's vocal) got some attention, they turned the act into a real band, recruiting a San Francisco group called the Bedouins to become the Grass Roots. This incarnation left after the band's first album, and the producers pulled in another group: a Los Angeles outfit called The 13th Floor, featuring the lead singer Rob Grill. This incarnation of the band recorded the Let's Live For Today album. Sloan left before it was released, but seven of the songs on the set (not this one) were ones he co-wrote with Barri. A new version of "Where Were You When I Needed You" was included on this album with Rob Grill singing lead. Grill quickly became one of the leaders in the group as they scored several more hits over the next few years.