For the love of rock
Vol VII, Issue 3 – Get together (01 Dec 2022)
www.intheloveofrock.com
Name of song– Get together
Band- The Youngbloods
Writer– Chet Powers (Dino Valenti)
Album- The Youngbloods
Release year– 1967
Chart records (1967) –
Canada RPM Top Singles – 40
US Billboard Hot 100 – 62
US Cash Box Top 100 – 80
Chart records (1969) –
US Cash Box Top 100 – 4
US Billboard Hot 100 – 5
Canada RPM Top – 6
South Africa (Springbok) – 10
Australia Go Set – 13
Resources– Wikipedia.org
Get together
For many rock fans, “The Youngbloods,” is not a common name. However, their hit “Get together”, is definitely the one which most would remember. Yes, they are perhaps a one hit wonder band, but this should not discount their other fabulous numbers. The band was formed in 1965 by Jessie Colin Young (Bass) and Jerry Corbitt (Vocals, lead guitar, piano, harmonica) as a duo to begin with. Soon they added multi-instrumentalist Lowell Levinger “Banana” and Joe Bauer in drums and the band became complete. They had relatively few albums to their name during the late sixties and early seventies. Although few in number, their albums are worth collecting in classic rock’s shelves. Their debut album in 1967, “The Youngbloods”, later renamed “Get Together” is the most successful one but later albums like “Earth Music”, “Elephant Mountain” are also lovely in their own way.
“Get together” is undoubtedly their only hit and hence they are often considered a one-hit-wonder band. This song was actually penned by Dino Valenti (Of Quicksilver Messenger Service) and had been released as early as 1963 by “The Folkswingers” and later in 1966 by “Jefferson Airplane.” The song was released by The Youngbloods in their debut album as a single but was not a big hit. However, the song was re-released as a single after two years following the use of the song in radio and TV commercials and reached upto number 5 in the charts and sold in millions.
The song, also known as “Let’s get together” or “Everybody get together” begins with a soft, soothing guitar lick by Corbitt. As soon as Jessie Colin takes over the vocals pleading for the world peace, the song just takes off into a dramatic flight. With plain and simple lyrics in praise of love and harmony, and request for all humans to be human, the song just symbolized the anti-war theme of the era. With Levinger’s innocent lead guitar and simple drums by Bauer, the song just mesmerizes anyone who hears it for the first time.
Yes, “The Youngbloods” have had only one significant hit and they are a one hit wonder, but their only hit song “Get together” forces all the rock fans all over the world to be together and cherish their creation forever!!!
Happy listening!!!
Resources- Wikipedia.org, allmusic.com
Get together
Love is but a song we sing
Fear’s the way we die
You can make the mountains ring
Or make the angels cry
Though the bird is on the wing
And you may not know why
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Some may come and some may go
We will surely pass
When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last
We are but a moment’s sunlight
Fading in the grass
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
If you hear the song I sing
You will understand (Listen!)
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
(I said) Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
Right now
Right now
Lyrics link – https://genius.com/The-youngbloods-get-together-lyrics
Video link – https://youtu.be/vVoTFDbjMu0