A desperate ultimatum delivered with a joyous, rebellious roar.
If you were a teenager in 1967, living through a moment of social and musical upheaval, the name Paul Revere & the Raiders meant one thing: pure, unadulterated fun. Dressed in their signature Revolutionary War-era uniforms, they were a vibrant flash of color and energy on the television screen, a perfectly packaged alternative to the psychedelic haze of Haight-Ashbury. But beneath the ruffled shirts and tricorn hats, the band, led by the charismatic Mark Lindsay, was evolving. Their 1967 single, “Him or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?”, perfectly captured this transition. Released from the album Revolution!, it was a powerhouse of a song that, despite its cheerful façade, carried a plea as old as time itself.
The single became a major hit, soaring to an impressive number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number 8 on the Cash Box Top 100. It was a testament to the band’s enduring popularity and a remarkable achievement for a group that was navigating the shifting sands of the music world. At a time when The Beatles and the burgeoning San Francisco scene were pushing rock music into new, more complex territories, the Raiders’ blend of garage rock and pop-savvy hooks proved that there was still an appetite for direct, punchy rock and roll. This song was their fourth and, until their 1971 comeback hit “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”, their final Top 10 hit, a significant marker in their storied career.
The story behind “Him or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?” is a testament to the dynamic partnership between frontman Mark Lindsay and producer Terry Melcher. The pair had already co-written the band’s previous top ten hit, “Good Thing,” and continued their creative synergy for the album Revolution! The song’s iconic, demanding chorus—”Him or me? What’s it gonna be?”—was reportedly Melcher’s brainchild. From there, Lindsay fleshed out the lyrics, crafting a narrative of a man tired of being strung along, of a love triangle that had gone on for too long. He wasn’t asking for a favor; he was delivering an ultimatum, a powerful statement of self-worth that resonated with anyone who has ever felt like they were an option, not a priority. The song’s instrumentation, while still rooted in the band’s raw garage-rock sound, also hints at the psychedelic influences of the time, a subtle shift that showcased their willingness to adapt without abandoning their core identity.
For those of us who came of age with this song, it carries a very specific, and deeply personal, kind of nostalgia. It’s the sound of a jukebox at a local hangout, of a transistor radio blasting in the summer heat, of dancing with friends in a high school gym. It’s the sound of teenage angst and defiance, the feeling of asserting yourself in a world that was constantly changing. The lyrics, so simple on the surface, tapped into a universal experience: the agonizing wait for someone to make up their mind, the heartbreak of knowing you might not be the one. The song’s joyous beat and call-and-response vocals disguised a raw, vulnerable plea, a duality that made it all the more compelling.
In a sense, “Him or Me – What’s It Gonna Be?” is a perfect snapshot of a bygone era. It’s not just a song; it’s a memory. A reminder of a time when the biggest dilemma in life could be a love triangle, and the answer could be found in a three-minute pop song. It’s a testament to the power of a great hook and a memorable chorus to capture a feeling and preserve it forever. When we hear that opening drum beat and the commanding guitar riff, we are transported back to a time of innocence and angst, of revolutionary dreams and high-stakes romance, and we are reminded that sometimes, the most emotional declarations are shouted out loud, with a pounding rhythm and a rebellious heart.