"Let's Stay Together" is a song by American singer Al Green from his 1972 album of the same name. It was produced and recorded by Willie Mitchell, and mixed by Mitchell and Terry Manning. Released as a single in 1971, "Let's Stay Together" reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboard's R&B chart for nine weeks.[1] Billboard ranked it as the number 11 song of 1972.[2]
| "Let's Stay Together" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 A-side label of US vinyl single | ||||
| Single by Al Green | ||||
| from the album Let's Stay Together | ||||
| B-side | "Tomorrow's Dream" | |||
| Released | November 1971 | |||
| Recorded | 1971 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 3:18 | |||
| Label | Hi (2202) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Willie Mitchell | |||
| Al Green singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
"Let's Stay Together" | ||||
It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine on their 2004 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,[3] and has been covered by numerous other performers, most notably Tina Turner.
It was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[4] The song went on to claim the number 1 position on the Billboard Year-End chart as an R&B song for 1972.
In 1999, the 1971 recording on Hi Records by Al Green was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[5]
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
|
Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
edit| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[11] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI)[12] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE)[13] | Platinum | 60,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[14] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA)[15] | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Tina Turner version
edit| "Let's Stay Together" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Single picture sleeve | ||||
| Single by Tina Turner | ||||
| from the album Private Dancer | ||||
| B-side | "I Wrote a Letter" | |||
| Released | November 7, 1983 (UK)[16]
January 1984 (US)[17] | |||
| Recorded | 1983 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:36 (single version) 5:14 (album version) | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| Tina Turner singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Let's Stay Together" on YouTube | ||||
| Audio sample | ||||
"Let's Stay Together" | ||||
"Let's Stay Together" was later covered by Tina Turner, her second collaboration with the British Heaven 17 and British Electric Foundation production team after "Ball of Confusion" in 1982, and served as her comeback single in late 1983. Unlike Al Green's version, Turner sings verse 2 first, then verse 1 when the band starts playing.
Released by Capitol Records in November 1983, the single charted at number 6 in the UK (one place higher than Al Green's original) and became the third time she reached the UK top ten, the first two being with former husband Ike Turner on "River Deep, Mountain High" and "Nutbush City Limits". Following the US release in January 1984,[17] the single reached #24 in Cash Box, #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart.[20][21]
At the time, the song was the most successful solo single Turner had released. It was included on her multi-platinum selling album Private Dancer, released a few months later in the spring of 1984. The music video was directed by David Mallet. The cover photography was by Norman Seeff.
Personnel
edit- Tina Turner – lead vocals
- Gary Barnacle – saxophone
- Glenn Gregory – background vocals
- Rupert Hine – percussion
- Frank Ricotti – percussion
- Ray Russell – guitar
- Martyn Ware – programming, electronic drums, arrangements, background vocals
- Greg Walsh – programming, arrangements
- Nick Plytas – piano, synthesizer
Production
- Greg Walsh – producer & engineer
- Martyn Ware – producer
- Walter Samuel – engineer
- Alan Yoshida – mastering
- Akira Taguchi – compilation producer
- Sam Gay – creative director
- Roy Kohara – art direction
- John O'Brien – design
- Peter Ashworth – photography
- Roger Davies – management
- Chip Lightman – management
Track listing and formats
edit- 7" single
- "Let's Stay Together" – 3:36
- "I Wrote a Letter" – 3:24
- 12" single
- "Let's Stay Together" (Extended Version) – 5:14
- "I Wrote a Letter" – 3:24
Charts and certifications
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
Certifications and salesedit
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Other cover versions
edit"Let's Stay Together" has been covered by:
- Isaac Hayes as B-side of the single "Soulsville" in 1972.
- Billy Paul on his 1972 album 360 Degrees of Billy Paul.
- Organist Ronnie Foster recorded an instrumental version for his 1972 studio album Two Headed Freap.
- In 1972, Julius Brockington recorded an instrumental version for his album Sophisticated Funk.[41]
- Margie Joseph on her 1973 album Margie Joseph. She had also recorded in Memphis contemporaneous to Green, but offered a Philly-inspired version produced by Arif Mardin).[42]
- Al Jarreau on his 1979 album Call Me.[43]
- Jimmy Smith instrumental version on his 1972 album Root Down.
- Bobby Militello with Jean Carn on his 1982 album "Blow" reached #74 on the U.S. R&B chart.
- The Rippingtons on their 1989 album Tourist in Paradise.[44]
- Former Hong Kong singer Yvonne Lau Man-Kuen (Chinese: 劉文娟) covered it under the title "Don't leave gaps when young" (Chinese: 年輕不要留白) in 1991.
- An instrumental version very close to the Al Green original was recorded by The Memphis Horns on their 1992 album Flame Out.[45]
- The Pasadenas covered the song as a 1992 non-album single.
- Roberta Flack on her 1994 album Roberta.
- Bobby Ross Avila on his 1995 album Into My Life.[46]
- Shirley Bassey covered the song on her 1995 album Sings the Movies.
- Big Mountain on their 1997 album Free Up.[47]
- Michael Bolton covered the song on his 1999 album Timeless: The Classics Vol. 2.
- Saxophonist Eric Alexander recorded a jazz instrumental version for his 1999 studio album Alexander the Great.
- Ms. Marilyn Marshall on her 1999 album Hold On.[48]
- In 2002 Justin Guarini performed the song on the first season of American Idol.
- In 2003 Trenyce performed the song on the second season of American Idol and a version appears on the various artists compilation album American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs.
- It was covered by English soul singer Lemar on his 2003 debut album Dedicated.
- In 2004 Leah LaBelle performed the song on the third season of American Idol.
- Boyz II Men on their 2004 covers album Throwback.
- In 2004, saxophonist Eric Darius performed a rendition of "Let's Stay Together". Eric's version was from the album Night on the Town.[49]
- In 2005 Joseph Murena performed the song on the fourth season of American Idol.
- Michelle Williams covered the song for the 2005 Coming of Age film Roll Bounce movie soundtrack Roll Bounce#Soundtrack. Her version also appears on 2005 various artists compilation album GAP – Favorite Songs (Fall 2005).[50]
- At Last performed it a cappella on the 2006 first season of America's Got Talent.
- Donny Osmond on his album 2007 Love Songs of the '70s.
- Australian soul singer Guy Sebastian recorded a cover version on his 2007 covers album The Memphis Album.
- Brian Kennedy on his 2008 album Interpretations.
- Robin Thicke has covered the song live many times on his concerts at least since 2008.
- Ian Moss released a version of "Let's Stay Together" as the lead single from his 2009 sixth studio album, Soul on West 53rd.[51]
- British singer Craig David covers his very own version of the song on his 2010 album Signed Sealed Delivered.
- On December 15, 2010, on The Sing-Off, it was performed a cappella by season 2 winners Committed.
- Seal on his 2011 album Soul 2.
- Lynda Carter covered this song for her 2011 album Crazy Little Things.
- In 2012 Elise Testone performed the song on the eleventh season of American Idol.
- Maroon 5 on their 2012 album Overexposed [Deluxe Limited Edition]
- American pop singer Katy Perry performed the song at Barack Obama Fundraising Concert in Best Buy Theater, New York City on October 7, 2012.
- Terry Manning on his 2015 album Heaven Knows.
- American indie rock band Low covered the song in 2018.
- Welsh ragga metal group Dub War covered the song in 2022 on their album Westgate Under Fire, as "Stay Together".
- Scottish singer Joesef covered the song in 2023.
Appearance in other media
editThe song has been used in the films:
- Quentin Tarantino film Pulp Fiction (1994).[52]
- The John Singleton film Higher Learning (1995).
- The 2000 film Down to You.
- The 2003 romantic comedy film How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- The 2004 film Jersey Girl.
- The 2004 film Hellboy.
- The 2005 film Munich.
- The 2012 romantic comedy Hope Springs.[citation needed]
The song has been featured in various television shows:
- It was performed in an episode of Ally McBeal (1997–2002).
- The song has featured twice in the UK version of Stars in Their Eyes. The first, notably by soul and swing singer George Anthony in 1998's episode 4 and also the series 9 Grand Final in the same year.
- An instrumental version of the song appears in episode 23 of the anime adaptation of Monster (Japanese on September 8, 2004, and English on January 4, 2010).
- It was parodied by The Fringemunks to recap Fringe episode 2.06, "Earthling" (November 5, 2009).[53]
- It was played in the Parks and Recreation episode "Road Trip" (May 12, 2011). During Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt's road trip, as assigned by Chris Traeger, they listen to a series of unusual songs, until Let's Stay Together plays. It is later confirmed that Ann Perkins had burned the song in order to get them together.
- In 2011 Kermit Ruffins and his band cover the song in season 2, episode 9 "What Is New Orleans?" of the HBO series Treme.[citation needed]
- United States President Barack Obama performed a brief phrase of the song during an appearance at the Apollo Theater in New York City on January 19, 2012, for a campaign fundraiser that included Al Green as an opening act.[54] In the week following, sales of Green's recording of the song increased by 490%.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 237.
- ^ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
- ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
- ^ "The National Recording Registry 2010". Library of Congress. Archived from the original on April 10, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2011.
- ^ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Al Green Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ "Al Green Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved May 12, 2013.
- ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972" Archived April 27, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Music Outfitters.
- ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1972". cashboxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
- ^ "Danish single certifications – Al Green – Let's Stay Together". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "Italian single certifications – Al Green – Let's Stay Together" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 25, 2020. Select "2018" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Let's Stay Together" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Spanish single certifications – Al Green – Let's Stay Together". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "British single certifications – Al Green – Let's Stay Together". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ "American single certifications – Al Green – Let's Stay Together". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- ^ "British release date".[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Feature Picks: Black Contemporary" (PDF). Cash Box: 9. January 14, 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Rolling Stone Staff (May 24, 2023). "Tina Turner: 15 Essential Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
They signed Turner and put her back in the studio with Heaven 17's Martin Ware to cut a New Wave take on Al Green's classic "Let's Stay Together".
- ^ Breihan, Tom (April 30, 2021). "The Number Ones: Terence Trent D'Arby's "Wishing Well". Stereogum. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
Ware had also helped kick off Tina Turner's comeback, co-producing her 1983 dance-pop cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"...
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974–2003. Record Research. p. 265.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 593.
- ^ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. Australia: St Ives, N.S.W. : Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Tina Turner – Let's Stay Together" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4454." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Singlet 1983-12 joulukuu" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Tina Turner – Top Titel" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on March 13, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Let's Stay Together". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 1984" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Tina Turner – Let's Stay Together" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- ^ "Tina Turner – Let's Stay Together". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Tina Turner – Let's Stay Together". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
- ^ "Tina Turner: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Tina Turner Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "Tina Turner Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 29, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Cash Box" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. April 14, 1984. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
- ^ Scaping, Peter, ed. (1984). "Top 100 singles: 1983". BPI Year Book 1984. British Phonographic Industry. pp. 42–43. ISBN 0-906154-04-9.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1984" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1984". RIANZ. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ a b "The Year in Music: 1984" (PDF). Billboard. December 22, 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
- ^ "British single certifications – Tina Turner – Let's Stay Together". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ Julius Brockington - Sophisticated Funk at bbemusic.com
- ^ Margie Joseph – Margie Joseph (1973) album Archived January 17, 2021, at the Wayback Machine at AllMusic
- ^ [Al Jarreau – Call Me (1979) album] at Discogs
- ^ The Rippingtons (May 15, 1989). ""Tourist in Paradise 1989" from". Answers.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ The Memphis Horns – Flame Out (1992) album Archived November 28, 2021, at the Wayback Machine at AllMusic
- ^ Bobby Ross Avila Into My Life (1995) album Archived October 10, 2020, at the Wayback Machine at Discogs
- ^ album Archived June 8, 2019, at the Wayback Machine at AllMusic
- ^ Ms. Marilyn Marshall – Hold On (1999) album Archived April 4, 2023, at the Wayback Machine at AllMusic
- ^ "Night on the Town – Eric Darius" from Billboard.com.
- ^ Various – GAP – Favorite Songs (Fall 2005) album Archived February 21, 2021, at the Wayback Machine at Discogs
- ^ "Shake/ Let's Stay Together". iTunes Australia. Archived from the original on November 21, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
- ^ "Surf Music and Seventies Soul: The Songs of 'Pulp Fiction'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
- ^ "Fringemunks Web site". Davidwumusic.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2011. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
- ^ Michael A. Memoli (January 20, 2012). "Obama, crooner in chief, sings some Al Green at N.Y. fundraiser". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 20, 2012. Retrieved January 20, 2012.