Get Together (Chet Powers song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Get Together," also known as "Let's Get Together," is the name of a song written by Chet Powers in 1963. The song is a plea for peace, presenting the duality of love (compassion) versus fear (hatred), and the choice we have between them.

In 1964, The Kingston Trio released their version of "Let's Get Together" on their album Back in Town. While it wasn't released as a single, this version was the first to bring the song to the attention of the general public. The Kingston Trio often performed it live.

The first hit version of the song came about in 1965, when We Five released "Let's Get Together" as the follow-up to their top ten hit "You Were on My Mind." While it did not achieve the same level of success as the other, "Let's Get Together" provided the group with a second top forty hit on the Billboard Hot 100 when it peaked at number thirty-one. It would be their last.

In 1967, The Youngbloods released their version of this song under the title "Get Together." It became a minor Hot 100 hit for them, peaking at number sixty-two. However, renewed interest in this version came when it was used in a television public service announcement as a call for brotherhood by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Re-released as a single in 1969, it became a top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. This version remains the most-remembered today. The Youngbloods' version of the song has been featured in several films, including Forrest Gump and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

Oddly, the version by the Youngbloods was included in a list of songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks.