Jesse Colin Young, the leader of the group The Youngbloods, died on Sunday, at age 83.
In 1969, The Youngbloods, with Mr. Young as lead singer, had a big hit with the song "Get Together." It was written by the singer and songwriter Chet Powers. The Youngbloods had originally released the song in 1967, on their first album.
The Youngbloods' recording of the song (others had released versions of the song previously) remains, today, very beautiful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGxQXmu7Os
Sometimes, certain brief details stand out for you--in a film, in a book, in a song.
There's one such moment, for me, in "Get Together." It is one word, during the song, which is spoken, rather than sung.
At the start of the song's last verse--at about 3:14, in the above YouTube audio--Mr. Young sings:
If you hear the song I sing
You will understand
And then, before he continues singing, there is a declaration, an entreaty, spoken quietly: "Listen."
I like that moment--in addition to enjoying the song in its entirety.
