Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

Help support this site! Consider clicking an ad from time to time. Thanks!

 

(Let’s) Get Together

First recorded (as a demo) by Dino Valenti (1964, released 1996).
First commercial release by The Kingston Trio (1964).
Also recorded by Jet Set (1964), Jefferson Airplane (1966), H.P. Lovecraft (1967).
Hit versions by We Five (US #31 1965), The Youngbloods (US #62 1967| US #5 1969), Dave Clark Five (UK #8 1970).

From the wiki: “‘Get Together’, also known as ‘Let’s Get Together’, was written in the early 1960s by American singer-songwriter and future Quicksilver Messenger Service lead singer Chet Powers (aka Dino Valenti), and first recorded by him as a demo in 1964. Valenti’s demo would see its commercial release in 1996.

“The first commercial release of ‘Let’s Get Together’ was in 1964, recorded by the Kingston Trio in 1964 for their album Back in Town. In 1965, the first cover to break into the Top 40, peaking at #31, was recorded by We Five as the follow-up to their Top 10 hit ‘You Were on My Mind’.

“In 1964, the trio who would go on to become The Byrds (David Crosby, Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark) recorded ‘Get Together’ as part of demo recording session for their nascent band, Jet Set. (See also: ‘Mr. Tambourine Man‘.)

“The Youngbloods released their version of the song under the title ‘Get Together’. It became a minor Hot 100 hit for them, peaking at #62 in 1967. However, renewed interest in the Youngbloods’ version came about when it was used in a 1969 radio public service ad campaign by the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Re-released to radio in 1969, The Youngbloods’ version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. A 1970 a UK-only-release cover by The Dave Clark Five, titled ‘Everybody Come Together’, went Top 10.”

The Kingston Trio, “Let’s Get Together” (1964):

Jet Set, “Get Together” (1964):

We Five, “Let’s Get Together” (1965):

Jefferson Airplane, “Let’s Get Together” (1966):

H.P. Lovecraft, “Get Together” (1967):

The Youngbloods, “Get Together” (1967):

The Dave Clark Five, “Everybody Get Together” (1970):

Comments are closed.