Ten Songs That "Get" Started
The Youngbloods Captured The Summer Of Love In Their 1967 Hit
One of The Beatles Is Joined By Another Legend On This List
National Public Radio is doing a yearlong series about songs that unite, rouse, celebrate or call to action. Last week, which aired on the April 10th edition, reporter Tom Cole chose a song that does the first of those verbs.
Recorded by the Youngbloods in 1967, "Get Together" began airing all over the place. Its growth in popularity was partly due to the fact that it was released during the Summer of Love, which its lyrics seemed to reinforce.
"Love is but a song we sing, fear is the way we die" is the song's opening line, a theme which pervades that entire sunny season. "You hold the key to love and fear, all in your trembling hand."
While no "Get" song carries the message of unity quite like the hit by the Youngbloods, there are almost a dozen that use the same commanding verb to begin their titles. Here are ten of the most memorable.
1. Get Back by The Beatles
When this song comes on, which it still does after a half a century, it automatically conjures up the image of the Fab Four playing on top of Apple Studios.
2. Get That Girl by Joe Jackson
Even though Jackson was already moving away from the punkish new wave of his debut, this track from I'm The Man still had some of the energy of Look Sharp.
3. Get Dancin' by Disco Tex and the Sex-O-Lettes
Sure, it reached the Top Ten in 1975, but the hit has received an even bigger honor since then. It has been used in two episodes of The Simpsons!
4. Get Smart by Squeeze
Would you believe this song has nothing to do with Maxwell or Agent 99 or shoe phones or the cone of silence or KAOS? No, the classic track from the band's debut pretty advises you not to be naive or taken for a fool.
5. Get The Lead Out by Aerosmith
Steven Tyler recalls Hank Williams on this tune from Rocks, asking the question "Hey Hey good lookin', What you got there cookin'?"
6. Get Off Of My Cloud by the Rolling Stones
Two is a crowd, according to Mick Jagger in the chorus of this Sixties classic.
7. Get Ready by Rare Earth
In 1970 the record hit number on the Billboard chart, pro,ping cover versions by the likes of the Supremes, Dusty Springfield, Ella Fitzgerald, the Miracles, and Nancy Sinatra.
8. Get Down by Gilbert O' Sullivan
After the mellow hits "Alone Again Naturally" and "Clair", the Irish Barry Manilow picked up a faster beat on this catchy single.
9. Get Lucky by Daft Punk
Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers hit number one with this smash is two dozen countries, but in the United States it peaked at number two.
10. Get It by Paul McCartney and Carl Perkins
Tug o' War is mainly remembered for Sir Paul's two duets with Stevie Wonder, but this collaboration has been more enduring than either "The Girl Is Mine" or "Ebony and Ivory."
