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This week’s Song of the Week is Al Green’s timeless signature song “Let’s Stay Together.” “Let’s Stay Together” was released in December 1971 on single, and on the album of the same name the following month.

“Let’s Stay Together” is a classic soul ballad. Unlike many love songs, the theme is not one of lost or unrequited love. Instead, it is a joyous declaration of the singer’s feelings for his loved one, who he promises to love “whether times are good or bad, happy or sad.” There is also a hint that the singer is seeking reassurance about his relationship, as he notes how he sees other couples breaking and making up and asks “You’d never do that to me (Would you, baby?)”

Al Green – “Let’s Stay Together”

Authorship

Al Green wrote the lyrics to “Let’s Stay Together” and Willie Mitchell and Al Jackson Jr. wrote the music. Willie Mitchell also produced the song and album, as he had Green’s previous two albums.

Recording date/location

“Let’s Stay Together” was recorded in 1971 at the Royal Recording Studio in Memphis, located at 1320 S. Lauderdale St.

Musicians

Accompanying Al Green’s vocals on “Let’s Stay Together” were the Hi Rhythm Section and the Memphis Horns.

Hi Rythmn Section:

• Al Jackson, Jr. – drums
• Leroy Hodges – bass
• Charles Hodges – organ, piano
• Teenie Hodges – guitar.

Memphis Horns:

• Wayne Jackson – trumpet
• Andrew Love/Ed Logan – tenor saxophone
• James Mitchell – baritone saxophone
• Jack Hale – trombone.

Charles Chalmers, Donna Rhodes and Sandra Rhodes were on backing vocals.

Chart performance

“Let’s Stay Together” was Al Green’s first and only number one on the Billboard Hot 100, knocking Don McLean’s “American Pie” off the top spot on February 6, 1972. It also hit number one on the R&B chart, where it stayed for nine weeks. The song reached number seven in the UK.

The album “Let’s Stay Together” hit number eight on the Billboard pop album chart and number one on the soul chart.

Covers

“Let’s Stay Together” has become a soul standard and as such there have been many covers over the years, including several in the year which the original was a hit. Here’s two strong covers.

Margie Joseph – “Let’s Stay Together”

After signing to Atlantic Records, Margie Joseph had a number of hits on the US R&B chart in the early-mid 1970s, including “Let’s Stay Together” which peaked at number 43 in 1973. The arrangement was the work of producer Arif Mardin. There’s a lot going on, including imaginative string and organ parts, but Joseph’s strong voice remains the most important component.

Tina Turner – “Let’s Stay Together”

“Let’s Stay Together” was Tina Turner’s comeback single in 1983 and the song was also included on her hit album “Private Dancer” the following year. Tina hit number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single and number three on the R&B chart. It also reached number six on the UK singles chart. The 1980s, synth pop production hasn’t aged as gracefully as Green’s original, but it’s an important track in Turner’s career and a good performance.

Here’s Tina singing “Let’s Stay Together” on the Private Dancer tour.

There will be a new Song of the Week on March 14.

“Let’s Stay Together” is available on the album “Let’s Stay Together” and various compilations, including the two-CD set “Love and Happiness: the Best of Al Green.”

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Love and Happiness: the Best of Al Green (2 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now