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TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

#320 LET'S STAY TOGETHER Al Green
American R&B legend Al Green was born in 1946. He started performing in a gospel group at 9 years of age. He formed Al Green and The Creations with some school friends. This soul group evolved into The Soul Mates and they reached #5 on the R&B Chart in 1968 with "Back Up Train". Unfortunately, they failed to achieve another hit. The following year, Green was playing in a Texan club. His performance impressed Willie Mitchell, the Vice President of Hi Records, who was also on the bill that night. He invited Green to record with him in Memphis. Green declined the offer. A follow up call from Mitchell a fortnight later persuaded Green to check things out at Hi Records. 
Green started scoring chart hits with the new label. Mitchell and Booker T & The MGs drummer Al Jackson created the musical structure of "Let's Stay Together" before offering it Green for some lyrics. The singer penned the words in less than 30 minutes. 
"Let's Stay Together" was produced by Mitchell and spent 9 weeks at #1 on the US R&B Chart in 1971. It also topped the Hot 100 there. In Britain, the disc peaked at #7. The song was the title track from his next album, unleashed in 1972. 
Green enjoyed soul and crossover success throughout the 1970s. In 1979, the performer turned his back on secular music and became a preacher. The Reverend Al Green returned to R&B in 1988 and continues touring and recording to this day.  
"Let's Stay Together" has been covered by several acts, including Isaac Hayes, Boyz II Men, Seal, Craig David, The Shirelles, Shirley Bassey and Roberta Flack. In 1984, Tina Turner launched her solo career with a stunning remake that preceded her comeback album 'Private Dancer'.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
2 new songs are added each day (every 12 hours)  with a mid-week bonus every Wednesday.