THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

347-Al Green-Let’s Stay Together.

1971-Number 7 single.

Best Bit-At 1.26. Every wedding DJ must own a copy. In a survey of bride and grooms, this song was voted the most popular first dance of all time.

Al Green was born Albert Leornes Greene on April 13th, 1946, in Forrest City, Arkansas, United States. Green was the sixth of 10 children, his father Robert Greene was a devoutly religious man, and after hearing his teenage son listening to secular music kicked him out of the family home. Al Green rebelled by going to live with a prostitute, and dabbling in recreational drugs.

In high school Al Green formed his first vocal group with Curtis Rodgers and Palmer Jones, who were also the writers of Green’s first recording ‘Back Up Train,’ as ‘Al Greene & the Creations.’ The song met with some minor success reaching Number 46 on the Cash Box Top 100 in America. In 1969 Green came into contact with the record producer Willie Mitchell (1928-2010) who signed him to ‘Hi Records’ the label which Mitchel was vice president of.

Green stayed with ‘Hi Records’ through until 1978 releasing 12 studio Albums, and achieving 12 Billboard top 40 singles. By 1977 Green’s record sales were in decline, partly due to his own personal issues, but also due to his desire to become an ordained minister. Green said that one night while performing he fell off the stage, and he took that as a sign from God to move in a different direction. Green recorded eight Gospel studio Albums between 1980-1987, before returning to secular music, where he has released a further eight studio Albums, the latest being ‘Lay It Down’ in 2008. In total Al Green has released 29 studio Albums, and has had 13 Billboard top 40 singles, including the 1988 duet with Annie Lennox on ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart.’ In the UK seven of his singles have made the Top 40, with ‘Let’s Stay Together’ being the most successful.

‘Let’s Stay Together’ was the title track from Al Green’s fourth studio Album released in 1971. The song was co-written by Al Green, who provided the lyrics, along with Willie Mitchell, and Al Jackson Jr. (1935-1975) who wrote the music, the song was produced by Green and Mitchell. Al Jackson Jr. (see also best songs 712 and 179) who was murdered in 1975 is remembered as one of the most critically acclaimed and innovative drummers of all time, having played on dozens of songs by many of the world’s most talented artists, he was also the drummer, and a founding member of Booker T. & the M. G.’s. (see also best songs 906.)

In 1984 Tina Turner (see also best songs 752-485 and 192) covered ‘Let’s Stay Together’ for her fifth studio Album ‘Private Dancer, her first new release in five years. When released as a single the song reached Number 6 in the UK, and Number 26 on Billboard, kick starting her very successful solo career.

‘I, I’m so in love with you, whatever you want to do is all right with me. ‘Cause you make me feel so brand new, and I want to spend my life with you.’