"Get Together" is from The Youngbloods self-titled album, released on January 1st, 1967. Jesse Colin Young, who had been performing the song as a solo artist, released it with his band. The song was written in the mid-1960s by American singer-songwriter Chet Powers, also known as Dino Valenti of Quicksilver Messenger Service. It also appeared in 1966 as "Let's Get Together" on Jefferson Airplane's debut album, Takes Off.
The Youngbloods members were Jesse Colin Young (Vocals & Bass), Jerry Corbitt (Guitar), Lowell Levinger, nicknamed "Banana" (Guitar & Electric Piano), and Joe Bauer (Drums). Despite receiving critical acclaim, they never achieved widespread popularity.
"Get Together" is the only Top 40 entry in the U.S. for The Youngbloods. It was also on the list of 158 "lyrically questionable" songs banned by Clear Channel Communications (now known as iHeartMedia) shortly after the 9/11 attacks, in a memo sent to its over 1,000 affiliate stations.
The song is an appeal for peace and brotherhood, presenting the polarity of love versus fear, and the choice to be made between them.
"Get Together"
"Love is but a song to 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 shall 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
Come on people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another
Right now
Right now
Right now"
Songwriter: Chet Powers (Dino Valenti)
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