1965 Songs: Do You Believe in Magic
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (73378)
United States
April 4, 2025 10:58am CST
And the crowd goes wild, because there’s no country music today! 
No, when you think of songs from 60 years ago, this is more along the lines of what you think of. So back to 1965 for today’s hit.
Do You Believe in Magic - The Lovin’ Spoonful
Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful
(Mamas and Papas, “Creeque Alley”)
And here we have what may be the first top ten rock song of the 60s to feature an autoharp!!! 
John Sebastian later did the theme to Welcome Back, Kotter, getting a #1 hit with that song. This is where his popularity started, though. This classic was the first Lovin’ Spoonful hit. It was inspired, Sebastian said, by a young fan dancing like the music was rock and roll instead of listening the way the rest of the predominantly folk-loving audience that they had been attracting.
Here we are, sixty years later, still celebrating “the magic of rock and roll.”
Do You Believe in Magic
Written by John B. Sebastian
Recorded by the Lovin’ Spoonful
Released as a single, 1965
If the music is groovy:
No, when you think of songs from 60 years ago, this is more along the lines of what you think of. So back to 1965 for today’s hit.
Do You Believe in Magic - The Lovin’ Spoonful
Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful
(Mamas and Papas, “Creeque Alley”)
And here we have what may be the first top ten rock song of the 60s to feature an autoharp!!!
John Sebastian later did the theme to Welcome Back, Kotter, getting a #1 hit with that song. This is where his popularity started, though. This classic was the first Lovin’ Spoonful hit. It was inspired, Sebastian said, by a young fan dancing like the music was rock and roll instead of listening the way the rest of the predominantly folk-loving audience that they had been attracting.
Here we are, sixty years later, still celebrating “the magic of rock and roll.”
Do You Believe in Magic
Written by John B. Sebastian
Recorded by the Lovin’ Spoonful
Released as a single, 1965
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14 people like this
14 responses
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
4 Apr
Maybe a bluegrass band, but that would be it.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
4 Apr
@porwest — it was what Mother Maybelle Carter was primarily known for! (If you’re wondering, that’s Bobby Lord in the video with her…of course, that’s him even if you’re not wondering. )
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1 person likes this
@porwest (98905)
• United States
4 Apr
@FourWalls I can't recall ever seeing one used EXCEPT with The Lovin' Spoonful honestly.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (145491)
• United States
4 Apr
I've never heard this song but have a coincidence for you today. I'm currently reading a book by that name by author Paul Offit. He's an expert in infectious diseases and vaccines.
It's a book talking about alternative medicines. It's a very interesting read. 
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
4 Apr
How about that! You knew I was going to show up with this song, didn’t you! 
2 people like this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
4 Apr
@DaddyEvil — and I didn’t know the book existed! Must be karma from mentioning the Uranus Fudge Factory.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
@rebelann — I know, that’s part of its “magic.”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
That was from 1966. You have to wait a year.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (93544)
• United States
5 Apr
Beautiful song..and I was one of those young girls too.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
It’s a good reminder of innocence and the joy of music, isn’t it.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (225254)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Apr
Here's Bryan Bowers doing a good autoharp song. I was gong to attach it to a comment I made, perhaps to @Porwest, but the comment has disappeared.
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2 people like this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
Steve Goodman did some work with Bryan, a terrific a cappella version of “Walkin’ in Jerusalem.” According to the Goodman biography, Bryan recorded the song and Steve heard it and told him that the song needed some harmonies, so Goodman paid for the session to re-record it.
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
9 Apr
There was still a lot of innocence in music then.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (15661)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
10 Apr
@FourWalls i agree with you. we could see it and feel it.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (172964)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Apr
I have one of their albums and it has that song on it. Those were the days.
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
I can understand that, it’s a terrific song!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
4 Apr
How about that! Would you play the autoharp in a rock and roll band???
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
Hard instrument for rock and roll, but great for folk and bluegrass or old country.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (108474)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
4 Apr
Do You Believe In Magic is one of my favorite songs.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
Great! And yes, I believe in the magic of rock and roll!!
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (108474)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
5 Apr
@FourWalls A lot of us who grew up with rock and roll music like it to this day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (186252)
• United States
5 Apr
I love me some Lovin' Spoonful. Good choice.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (73378)
• United States
5 Apr
Glad you enjoyed this one! You deserve a good one after two straight days of double country music.
1 person likes this
