Green was born in Forrest City, Arkansas. He started performing at age ten in a Forrest City quartet called the Greene Brothers; he dropped the final "E" from his last name years later as a solo artist. They toured extensively in the mid-1950s in the South until the Greenes moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, when they began to tour around Michigan. His father kicked him out of the group because he caught Green listening to Jackie Wilson.
In 1967 at the age of 16, Al formed an R&B group, Al Green & the Creations, with several of his high-school friends. Two Creation members, Curtis Rogers and Palmer James, founded their own independent record company, Hot Line Music Journal, and had the group record for the label. By that time, the Creations had been re-named the Soul Mates. The group's first single, "Back Up Train," became a surprise hit, climbing to number five on the R&B charts early in 1968. The Soul Mates attempted to record another hit, but all of their subsequent singles failed to find an audience. In 1969, Al Green met bandleader and Hi Records vice president Willie Mitchell while on tour in Midland, Texas. Impressed with Green's voice, he signed the singer to Hi Records, and began collaborating with Al on his debut album
He was perhaps the ideal complement to the orchestral, syrupy, strong soul production work of Hi Records wizard Willie Mitchell, who also helmed 70s classics for Syl Johnson, Ann Peebles, and himself.
On October 18, 1974, Mary Woodson, a woman who was his longtime girlfriend, threw a large pot of sticky boiling grits on him as he was preparing to shower, because he didn't want to get married. She committed suicide in minutes, which deeply affected Green to turn to God and religion. This assault from behind caused third-degree burns on his back, stomach and arm. Deeply shaken, Green continued to reaffirm and grow closer to his deeply held love for God, and became an ordained pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Memphis in 1976.
Continuing to record R&B, Green saw his sales start to slip and drew mixed reviews from critics. 1977's The Belle Album was critically acclaimed but did not regain his former mass audience. In 1979 Green injured himself falling off the stage while performing in Cincinnati and interpreted this as a message from God. He then concentrated his energies towards pastoring his church and gospel singing, also appearing in 1982 with Patti Labelle in the Broadway musical Your Arms Too Short to Box with God. According to Glide Magazine, "by the late 70s, he had begun concentrating almost exclusively on gospel music." His first gospel album was The Lord Will Make a Way. From 1981 to 1989 Green recorded a series of gospel recordings, garnering eight "soul gospel performance" Grammys in that period. In 1985, he reunited with Willie Mitchell along with Angelo Earl for He Is the Light, his first album for A&M Records. In 1984, director Robert Mugge released a documentary film, Gospel According to Al Green, including interviews about his life and footage from his church. In 1989, Green released "I Get Joy", again with producer/guitarist Angelo Earl. In 2001, he appeared in the movie and soundtrack of On the Line featuring Lance Bass.
After spending several years exclusively performing gospel, Green began to return to Rhythm & Blues. First, he released a duet with Annie Lennox, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" for Scrooged, a 1988 Bill Murray film. In 1989 Green worked with producer Arthur Baker writing and producing the international hit "The Message Is Love". In 1991 he created the introductory theme song for the short-lived television series Good Sports featuring Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett. In 1992, Green recorded again with Baker, the Fine Young Cannibals, and reunited with his former Memphis mix engineer (this time functioning as producer) Terry Manning, to release the album Don't Look Back. His 1994 duet with country music singer Lyle Lovett blended country with R&B, garnering him his ninth Grammy, this time in a pop music category. Green's first secular album in some time was Your Heart's In Good Hands (1995), released to positive reviews but disappointing sales, the same year Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2000, Green published Take Me to the River, a book discussing his career. Green received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002.
In 2001, Green's live cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" was released on the soundtrack to Will Smith's film Ali (the song plays when Muhammad Ali learns of the death of close friend Malcolm X).
By 2003 Green released a non-religious (secular) album entitled I Can't Stop, his first collaboration with Willie Mitchell since 1985's He is the Light. In March 2005 he issued Everything's OK as the follow-up to I Can't Stop. Green also collaborated with Mitchell on this secular CD.
The title of Al Green's latest album Lay It Down released May, 2008, truly tells it like it is. Conceived as a collaboration between the soul legend and a handful of gifted young admirers from the worlds of contemporary R&B and hip hop, the album is drawn from a series of inspired sessions that yielded the most high-spirited, funky and often lushly romantic songs of Green's latter-day career.
The project features the sophisticated R&B voices of singer-songwriters John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and Corinne Bailey Rae, and it was co-produced with Green by two of hip-hop's most innovative players, drummer Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from the Roots and keyboardist James Poyser , the go-to guy for high-profile artists ranging from Erykah Badu to Common. Add in Brooklyn's celebrated Dap-King Horns (Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse), guitarist Chalmers "Spanky" Alford (Mighty Clouds of Joy, Joss Stone) and bassist Adam Blackstone (Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff), among others, and you've got a modern soul-music dream team, fronted by the most expressive voice in the business.
Let's Stay Together
Al Green Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I, I'm 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
Let me say that since, baby, since we've been together
Ooh, loving you forever
Is what I need
Let me, be the one you come running to
I'll never be untrue
Oh baby
Let's, let's stay together ('gether)
Lovin' you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah
Whether times are good or bad, happy or sad
Why, somebody, why people break up?
Oh, then turn around and make up
I just can't see
You'd never do that to me (would you, baby?)
Just being around you is all I see
Here's what I want us do
Let's, we oughta stay together ('gether)
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad
Come on
Let's, woo (let's stay together) let's stay together
Loving you whether, whether times are good or bad
The song "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green is a classic love song that expresses the singer's desire to remain with his partner, no matter what comes their way. The first verse, "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," sets the tone for the entire song. The singer is so enamored with his partner that he is willing to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work. He feels renewed and refreshed by their love and is eager to spend the rest of his life with them.
The second verse, "Since we've been together, loving you forever is what I need, let me be the one you come running to, I'll never be untrue," further emphasizes the singer's commitment to his partner. He sees their love as something that will last forever and is willing to be their rock, no matter what happens. He promises to never betray their trust and to always be there for them. The chorus repeats the phrase "Let's stay together, loving you whether times are good or bad, happy or sad," which emphasizes the singer's unwavering dedication to their love.
In summary, "Let's Stay Together" is a love song that expresses the singer's commitment to his partner and his desire to remain with them no matter what happens. It is a classic song that has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved tune for romantic couples.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's stay together
The singer wants to maintain their relationship and stay committed to their partner.
I, I'm I'm so in love with you
The singer expresses their deep love for their partner.
Whatever you want to do
The singer is willing to support and accommodate their partner's desires.
Is all right with me
The artist is comfortable with their partner's choices.
'Cause you make me feel so brand new
The artist's partner makes them feel renewed and revitalized.
And I want to spend my life with you
The singer desires a long-term commitment with their partner.
Let me say that since, baby, since we've been together
The singer recognizes the positive impact their relationship has had on their life.
Ooh, loving you forever
The artist desires to love their partner forever.
Is what I need
The artist needs a long-lasting and committed relationship with their partner.
Let me, be the one you come running to
The artist is willing and available to support their partner during hard times.
I'll never be untrue
The singer promises to remain loyal and faithful to their partner.
Oh baby
Endearing term of endearment towards the partner/crush.
Let's, let's stay together ('gether)
The singer reiterates their desire to maintain their relationship with their partner.
Lovin' you whether, whether
The singer highlights their commitment and unconditional love towards their partner.
Times are good or bad, happy or sad
The singer emphasizes that their love for their partner remains steadfast regardless of circumstances.
Why, somebody, why people break up?
The artist questions why relationships often end in breakups.
Oh, then turn around and make up
The artist acknowledges that relationships that end in breakups often result in reconciliations.
I just can't see
The singer cannot understand why their relationship would come to an end.
You'd never do that to me (would you, baby?)
The singer expresses trust in their partner and hopes that their relationship will not end.
Just being around you is all I see
The artist is constantly thinking about their partner.
Here's what I want us do
The artist proposes a plan for their relationship.
Let's, we oughta stay together ('gether)
The artist reiterates their desire to maintain their relationship.
Come on
Encouraging the partner to agree with the singer's plan.
Woo (let's stay together) let's stay together
The artist concludes with a playful exclamation and repeats their desire to maintain their relationship.
Loving you whether, whether times are good or bad
The singer reiterates their commitment and unconditional love towards their partner.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Willie Mitchell, Al Green, Al Jackson Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind