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The Youngbloods — Get Together
Album: Elephant Mountain
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 4995









Released: 1969
Length: 4:31
Plays (last 30 days): 7
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
He 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
Comments (829)add comment
This song was done by a Vancouver band named '3's A Crowd' that I heard before the 'Youngbloods'  and I still like it better.
 macadavy wrote:

"When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last..."
What's that all about?  Are we just alien settlers here on Earth?


There's a reason the guy in the picture isn't showing his face. 
Some Roy Orbison in the lead vocals

"When the one that left us here
Returns for us at last..."
What's that all about?  Are we just alien settlers here on Earth?
 grumpyoldman wrote:


Sorry! I hit the wrong button and gave this comment a thumbs down by mistake


If you hit the wrong button, hit the other one ( the thumbs up in this case) it will cancel the mistake out - then hit the one you meant to  and it will sort itself out .  Voice of experience, my aim is LOUSY :-)
This song remains relevant & never gets old!
Everything about this song is beautiful.
Bumping this one up from a 9 to a 10.
Is this song really that good or is it just nostalgia. Don’t know. The country was if anything more divided then than now even and it just resonated. 
Thank you RP. Hope springs eternal. 
Some Roy Orbison in the leading vocals
You don't have to love your neighbor or love humanity, but if you at least 
TRY you may find some peace 
I've been alive longer than this song... but never really listened to it. Put on a set of headphones and listen to the guitar work... it's genius. 
Dino Valenti wrote this, although the Youngbloods made it theirs. 


 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.



Sorry! I hit the wrong button and gave this comment a thumbs down by mistake
Thanks RP! 
Seems like an underrated song for RP, I hope this song doesn’t get lost in time so future specs of consciousness can appreciate
Billy . Not everybody is lucky to understand this song....  have fun as always.... peace,! cheers!
 William wrote:

I don't know. Always been there, though.

It's probably Charlie Daniels talking in the studio? Or Jesse?
Flashback. It’s good now and then. What are those worm things in the foreground?
 Stetsonman wrote:

hippy bullshit



1969. Height of the war.  I'm 16 years old praying that my  brother and 4 cousins will come home  from those friggen rice patty patrols or similar and wondering if I'll be next. 1 year later, 4 students are killed at Kent State during a peaceful protest (never forget). So you sum up this song as hippy bullshit?  It just makes me feel sad to read something like this. But perhaps even more sad  but not surprised  to read it in 2023.
 Canadese wrote:

Saw them open for CSNY at varsity stadium in Toronto in late '60s. It was pouring rain in an open-air concert and the band said 'If you'll stand there in the rain we will play on and on', and both bands went on for well over 3 hrs. Very memorable.



OMG, so jealous.
  
UK here and back then it wasn't that easy to get over that there pond

☮️  ❤️
Just wanted to say ............... awesome music being played this morning (UK time).  Thanks for the music  Bill  ❤️
 treasure wrote:
Excellent point. The most popular music right now is rap. I have teenagers so I hear the music often. Have you heard the lyrics?  It's all violence, guns, drugs and "bitches." Art represents reality? 

 

 




Well that's a narrow view. Once you get beyond gangsta rap it's much more nuanced - lots of social justice content, for example.
 coloradojohn wrote:

Whenever I want to think how much this gem reminds me of Crosby and The Byrds, I have to remember:  Dino Valenti of QMS wrote it!



Love this track.
Such an awesome time to be alive.  My band was  'the Byrds' - also loved QMS.... . have a video of them live - Mona. 
Much love from over the pond in UK .
Yes hope in a thousand years from now people are still making comments for this song
Timeless!
 ImaOldman wrote:
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.




Dude, you must have lived in a different 1969 than I did. The country was totally divided over the War in Vietnam, the Weathermen were blowing up buildings and robbing banks, the Black Panthers, Altamont happened, the Chicago 7, etc. It was a great time to be alive but the country was pretty fucking divided. At least one political party hadn't lost it's fucking mind yet...
 
You're both right.  Back in the 60's, the divide was more of a generational thing, old vs young.  Today the divide is not affected so much by age.  The divide is about ideological differences that has no or very little relationship to how old you are.  imho ...
My 1st concert was Jessie Colin Young opening for Loggins & Messina in 1974. I was 12 years old.  
 NeuroJoe wrote:
Fast forward 30 years to Woodstock '99 to see how our society has "progressed" since then.

Yeah, just watched the Netflix documentary.
"Sad" doesn't begin to describe it.
 RazzCat wrote:

Monday, August 18, 1969:

Midday on NY 87, heading back north to the Canadian border and home in Montreal after spending the craziest weekend of my then-23 years!

Inside that big-ass '68 Ford four-door sedan: Bob at the wheel of this, his company car (oh man, how's he gonna explain that mileage to his boss?); Rod (pretty sure Dennis Hopper copied his look in Easy Rider) riding shotgun; me leaning back against the right rear door, eyes closed, still buzzed, and grinning ear-to-ear from the three-day vibe; Pierre snoring, back to the left rear door in that wide, cushy back seat (they sure don't make 'em like that anymore); sun's streaming in, blue sky, cotton candy clouds floating lazily by....

... and on the car radio, The Youngbloods singing 'Get Together'. Seemed it was in heavy rotation that golden post-Woodstock day, so much so that in each hearing today, I close my eyes and I'm back in the light and sound and smells inside that big old Ford thrumming homeward on that Monday afternoon.

Music-melded memory's a wondrous thing... :)



Fast forward 30 years to Woodstock '99 to see how our society has "progressed" since then.
 unclehud wrote:

Message is pertinent today, and will probably be pertinent in 2050.

Come on, people, now
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another
Right now.



With the way the world is retrograding hopefully there will a 2050 to celebrate.
 ImaOldman wrote:
Dude, you must have lived in a different 1969 than I did. The country was totally divided over the War in Vietnam, the Weathermen were blowing up buildings and robbing banks, the Black Panthers, Altamont happened, the Chicago 7, etc. It was a great time to be alive but the country was pretty fucking divided. At least one political party hadn't lost it's fucking mind yet...

I am also an old man, and remember the bad things you list because I had a drivers license in 1969.  But how could you have forgotten the good?  Have you become so jaded and cynical that this song doesn't make you stop and think about what humans can achieve if we smile on our brother, get together, and love one another?

I weep for lost optimism.
This ship has left the dock . . . 
 jp33442 wrote:
Oh cry me a fucking river crybaby 

Aren't there some puppies you should be kicking?
I hope this song plays throughout all of human existence...
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.



One person downvoted you. 
Must have been Klaus Schwab.
(June 10th 2022)
Heard this wonderful song in RP for the first time and immediately liked it. I thought it was a song from the 2000's. 

How big was my surprise when I found it was released  over 50 years ago ...

This must be the definition of a timeless masterpiece.
CLASSIC!!!  ICONIC!!!   Overplayed on the radio when it came out, but it is still GREAT!!!
9 -> 10 I'm doin it
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.



Sadly as with most forms of communication now, the people who need to hear it the most, never will.
 acferrad wrote:

It's amazing to hear these random songs from 1969.  I had a traumatic experience at a school camp aged 9 where all the others were 11 and was bullied consistently.  I have vague memories of what happened, but much more vivid is the music that was played.  This was one of them.




Today, march 2022, it's a whole country being bullied by its neighbour while I'm reading your story, the song still in my head.
Saw them open for CSNY at varsity stadium in Toronto in late '60s. It was pouring rain in an open-air concert and the band said 'If you'll stand there in the rain we will play on and on', and both bands went on for well over 3 hrs. Very memorable.
It's amazing to hear these random songs from 1969.  I had a traumatic experience at a school camp aged 9 where all the others were 11 and was bullied consistently.  I have vague memories of what happened, but much more vivid is the music that was played.  This was one of them.
A perfect song. 
The few in power everywhere want the rest of us focused on not getting together. Right, Left, Up, Down, they care not. Tribalist nonsense locks in their power. Follow the money!
"C'mon people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now." 
Keep it coming Bill.  We need it today!
nice contrast with the preceding retiles we woke up.  this is sooo much better.  has a much weedier feel.
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.




Dude, you must have lived in a different 1969 than I did. The country was totally divided over the War in Vietnam, the Weathermen were blowing up buildings and robbing banks, the Black Panthers, Altamont happened, the Chicago 7, etc. It was a great time to be alive but the country was pretty fucking divided. At least one political party hadn't lost it's fucking mind yet...
GODLIKE!
Whenever I want to think how much this gem reminds me of Crosby and The Byrds, I have to remember:  Dino Valenti of QMS wrote it!
 kquinn03 wrote:

See that sign that says "Elephant Mountain" ? I think it has something to do with that.
Elephant intestines? probably taste like chicken...

 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.



The world wasn't together and that's unstable. It overflow to the strongest point to be cured
 Stetsonman wrote:

hippy bullshit



Hummm... this song came on I had to stop what I was doing, sit back and reflect on this song.  Thanks Bill and Rebecca... ok...back to Tie-dyeing. 
It was little too goody goody for me in 1969.  It still is.  
I heard this live in 1969 outdoors in Florida on a High School surf trip. Expected it to happen. How sad everything is so F'd up😔
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.




Wow, some psychopath downvoted you.
hippy bullshit
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?



I read some people saying it's supposed to make you think, which one of these 2 mountains on the cover is the referenced elephant mountain... Meaning those are not sausages... Sorry <3
Monday, August 18, 1969:

Midday on NY 87, heading back north to the Canadian border and home in Montreal after spending the craziest weekend of my then-23 years!

Inside that big-ass '68 Ford four-door sedan: Bob at the wheel of this, his company car (oh man, how's he gonna explain that mileage to his boss?); Rod (pretty sure Dennis Hopper copied his look in Easy Rider) riding shotgun; me leaning back against the right rear door, eyes closed, still buzzed, and grinning ear-to-ear from the three-day vibe; Pierre snoring, back to the left rear door in that wide, cushy back seat (they sure don't make 'em like that anymore); sun's streaming in, blue sky, cotton candy clouds floating lazily by....

... and on the car radio, The Youngbloods singing 'Get Together'. Seemed it was in heavy rotation that golden post-Woodstock day, so much so that in each hearing today, I close my eyes and I'm back in the light and sound and smells inside that big old V-8 Ford thrumming homeward that Monday afternoon.

Music-melded memory's a wondrous thing... :-)
The power of music... and RP is on the frontline! 
I've heard this songs so many times I could scream but I sing along at every listen. For those of us who protested the Vietnam War and Racism, this was our anthem. I'm still singing.....
In such a deeply divided nation as the USA is now, we all really do need to try to find a way to smile on our brothers and sisters, try to love one another right now. We all have much more in common than than we have differences. But that certainly needs to start with truth based on evidence rather than deliberate deception based on wild-eyed paranoia & speculation.
I worked for the NPS right out of college at Point Reyes Nat'l Seashore (1979).  Jesse lived nearby in Inverness and I had the pleasure of attending one of his concerts in a small music venue in Point Reyes Station.
It always takes me back there!!!
 Silvervanman wrote:

A stab in the dark, but, a brick wall?

 

I cannot unsee the cryptic hotdog pile. 
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?
 
A stab in the dark, but, a brick wall?

They say that everyone has their own tastes so you can't say there's a sort of universal truth in music. 

Yeah, but what do they know?  The universe rates this a 10.
Still pure beauty, grace and poise in this song! Needs to be #1 worldwide, to get us past the “ me, me, me “ mind-set - as is well depicted in the Karen’s and Kens of our dysfunctional world If I’m God, I’d be strongly tempted to sweep us up into a mincer and ‘recycle’- as too few care enough. Matches32@gmail.com
 Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 
Think of it this way maybe. Our entire culture is in a state of gestation. It is struggling to be born. It will be born, but we're not there yet.
right on
Timeless lyrics and tune. Brilliant sound!! 
On in the background and then I notice both my wife and I are humming along.

I'm giving it a 10. I don't care. One of the greatest songs ever written.

There, I said it.
"We are but a moment's sunlight / fading in the grass"

-All religions-
Anatomy Of A Song on this one in today's Wall St. Journal ... cool column by Marc Myers that appears occasionally. Recollections from JC Young and Banana Levinger. Had to wait for the hippie movement to go nationwide to become a hit.  
 birdman42 wrote:

Sadly, much of the division is fomented by the generation that was around to hear this music originally.
 
Don't yuck my yum.
and these last 2 weeks, you 've got something to Get Us Together
Unfortunately, all the good songs have been written and we're at the point of irreconcilable differences.   Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 

I wish we could here in the U.S.  But the left won't allow it.
 Rockit9 wrote:
 

dude whats up with all the promo links
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?
 
See that sign that says "Elephant Mountain" ? I think it has something to do with that.
Love this❤️
Went to rate this a 10 and found out that I already had.

This song is absolutely amazing!!!
Thank you RP! This is soothing my spirit.
So appropriate during this time of the terrible virus. Be safe everybody!
The go to song for peace
I don't like to make political comments; but no, the country was
probably more divided in 1970 than today. That is not  to say we are 
not very polarized today too.  Anyway, the Youngbloods tune gets
a "9" with me....
I've always felt this song incorporates the "Summer of Love" ethos of the late '60s better than any other.
I wanted to rate this one because it feels so mixed for me.  I love the verse with the hovering guitar, but the chorus bugs the hell out of me as one of those lost cause hippie utopian implausibles.  In its time I'm sure it was great.  Pretty sure it will always be remembered as a sign of its own times.
 birdman42 wrote:

Sadly, much of the division is fomented by the generation that was around to hear this music originally.
 Screw you. You don't know me,the people I grew up with, or what you're talking about.
 Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 
Sadly, much of the division is fomented by the generation that was around to hear this music originally.
I only know this from Nirvana, like that other one I only know because of Eminem.

Strange world this, and RP halps me link it all together.
 Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 

Hear hear, unfortunately there's truth in this statement
Message is pertinent today, and will probably be pertinent in 2050.

Come on, people, now
Smile on your brother,
Everybody get together,
Try to love one another
Right now.
Outstanding to get these songs. I was age 13 then.... 
A classic always to be heard
This really hit the spot in the film "The dish"
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wik...
A Godlike classic!  No doubts...........
I'd much rather listen to this song's version by the band Oregon.
 Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 

I work in a live music club and can tell you they are still singing the same songs.
 lizardking wrote:

8 to minus 3...Laptopdog wins the 'thumbs up' contest w/ jp33442 (who came in with a minus 3 on the 'cry me a river crybaby' comment.  Which seems to be Laptopdog's point, eh?  Let's all "get together" and NOT cry....yeah...that...and smile on your brother....Long Live RP!!
 
Now it's 20 to -5 (and I'm guessing the down-vote I got was from jp33442; i'm ok with that, and evened it out with my own up-vote)

I'm also upping my 10 rating on this to 11-LEGENDARY - Long Live RP!!
This song has always been a 10 They were so right then And it’s so relavent now
 treasure wrote:
Excellent point. The most popular music right now is rap. I have teenagers so I hear the music often. Have you heard the lyrics?  It's all violence, guns, drugs and "bitches." Art represents reality? 

 
Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 

 
Macklemore! Watch the video Glorious (that's really his 100 year old grandmother). Or, have a listen to Same Love. (that's really his gay uncle on the cover). If you doubt his talent, try Thrift Shop and be prepared to laugh. Bill and Rebecca, maybe Macklemore is something for your playlist?
it's better you don't know.

 
Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?
 

Excellent point. The most popular music right now is rap. I have teenagers so I hear the music often. Have you heard the lyrics?  It's all violence, guns, drugs and "bitches." Art represents reality? 

 
Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 

Beautiful Forever
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?
 



https://rateyourmusic.com/board_message/message_id_is_4858441
Coming together is a beginning;
keeping together is progress;
working together is success.

Edward Everett Hale
This is epic, not less than 9

jp33442 wrote:
 Laptopdog wrote:

This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.

Oh cry me a fucking river crybaby 
 
Not to prove the point or anything.
This always reminds me of “Listen....to what the flower people say” by the early incarnation of what ultimately became Spinäl Täp... shhhhhh we love you.....
To me the anthem of the "Summer of Love."  Whenever this song comes on I wish I had multiple voices to sing the lead and the harmony.  America's "Horse With No Name" makes me feel the same.
This is one of those you had to be there to appreciate just how powerful a song it it was / is....between the politics and the Vietnam war it was a very “interesting “ time to grow in - thank God for the great music that came out during those tumultuous years
 jp33442 wrote:

Oh cry me a fucking river crybaby 

 
didn't joe cocker cover that ? {#Devil_pimp}
 Laptopdog wrote:
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 
Oh cry me a fucking river crybaby 
This song came out 50 years ago, and in many ways our country was more advanced than it is now as far as "getting together". Political division is destroying our society, and we need more young people to start putting out music like this all over again, since we obviously didn't get the message the first time.
 Mackmoney3000 wrote:
Something that has bothered me since I first saw this album art:

What is that "pile of red stuff" in the foreground of the album cover? Is it a pile of natural-casing hot dogs? What is it supposed to represent?
 
There's sliced bread and some sort of red condiment on the wall  also.  

Once nominated to replace The National Anthem.
If you pull "Elephant Mountain" up on iTunes this song isn't on it. It was released in 1967  on 'The Youngbloods".
I heard an interesting piece on NPR about the history of this song.  I knew that Chet Powers/Dino Valenti from Quicksilver Messenger Service had written this and that several different artists recorded this song before The Youngbloods.  The versions I've heard are all quite good in different ways.  This version always seemed like the most powerful one to me though.
I was 8 when this came out; vague memories of radio play. It's the "home movie" scene in Flashback (w Dennis Hopper and Keifer Sutherland) that it now resonates with for me. You see these glorious golden hippy children playing in innocence in the flashback scene, from the current day viewpoint and awareness that it would all go to hell anyways despite the hopes and dreams of their parents to remove them from a world of war and hatred. Now each time I hear this I can be reduced to tears.
Second time I heard this today, heard it in my car on Sirius XM earlier . Not a complaint, it's a fine tune that takes me back.