"We're Gonna Groove" (or "Groovin" as it was originally titled) is a song written by the soul singer Ben E. King and later co-credited to James Bethea. In 1964, it was released as the B-side to King's rendition of " What Now My Love". Although the single did not reach the record charts, critic

Richie Unterberger Richie Unterberger (born 1962) is an American author and journalist whose focus is popular music and travel writing. Life and writing Unterberger attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he wrote for the university newspaper '' The Daily P ...

felt that the song was one of King's best self-penned efforts. He compared the arrangement to

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

's early 1960s work and added "King is mostly known for ballads and romantic numbers, but 'Groovin' convincingly demonstrates that he could also write and sing bluesy, swinging uptempo soul numbers." "Groovin'" is included on King's 1993 ''

Anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...

'' compilation.

Manfred Mann Manfred Mann were an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. They were named after their keyboardist Manfred Mann (musician), Manfred Mann, who later led the successful 1970s group Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The group had two l ...

recorded the song as the title track for their 1964 EP ''

Groovin' with Manfred Mann ''Groovin' with Manfred Mann'' is an EP by Manfred Mann, released in 1964. The EP is a 7-inch vinyl record and released in mono with the catalogue number His Master's Voice 7EG 8876. Personnel * Manfred Mann - keyboards * Mike Vickers - guita ...

''. According to Unterberger, "Manfred Mann's cover was longer and looser than the original, with some storming barrelhouse piano by Mann, long instrumental breaks that also included guitar and vibes solos, and a raucous vocal by Paul Jones." The EP reached number three on the UK charts.

Led Zeppelin version

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones (musician), John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a he ...

performed "We're Gonna Groove" as the opening number during their 1970 UK and European tours. The song was proposed for ''

Led Zeppelin II ''Led Zeppelin II'' is the second studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released on 22 October 1969 in the United States and on 31 October 1969 in the United Kingdom by Atlantic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place ...

'', but did not appear until the 1982 release of '' Coda''.

Jimmy Page James Patrick Page (born 9 January 1944) is an English musician and producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the Rock music, rock band Led Zeppelin. Page began his career as a studio session musician in Lo ...

finished the recording at his Sol Studios, after the group disbanded following the death of drummer

John Bonham John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician who was the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin. Noted for his speed, power, fast single-footed kick drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for groove, John Bonh ...

. In a contemporary review of ''Coda'' for ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'',

Kurt Loder Kurt Loder (born May 5, 1945) is an American entertainment critic, author, columnist and television personality. He served in the 1980s as editor at ''Rolling Stone'', during a tenure that ''Reason'' later called "legendary". He has contributed ...

described "We're Gonna Groove" as "definitive 1969 raunch." He added "the essential elements of Zeppelin's sound are already firmly in place: Page's propulsive guitar playing, Robert Plant's pealing vocal, John Paul Jones' duty-bound bass, and the late John Bonham's creature with-the-atom-brain drumming."

References

{{Authority control 1964 songs 1964 singles Ben E. King songs Songs written by Ben E. King Manfred Mann songs Led Zeppelin songs Song recordings produced by Jimmy Page