Don Williams – “We Should Be Together” (1974): The Gentle Giant’s First Top 5 Plea for Simple, Enduring Love
There’s a beautiful, understated power in the early work of Don Williams, an artist who, from the moment he stepped onto the scene as a solo performer, had the rare ability to convey profound emotion with a whisper rather than a shout. When we look back at 1974—a pivotal year that saw the “Gentle Giant” truly solidify his footing in the Nashville establishment—we find the lovely, yearning ballad, “We Should Be Together.” This wasn’t just another song; it was a cornerstone of his burgeoning success, marking his ascent as one of the most consistent, beloved voices in Country Music.
Released as the second single from the essential JMI Records album, Don Williams Volume Two, this track immediately resonated with a public craving sincerity and heart. Unlike some of the flashier music of the era, “We Should Be Together” offered a soothing embrace of classic Country simplicity. The record was a solid hit right out of the gate, climbing the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart to peak at Number 5. This achievement was significant, marking Williams’ first Top 5 hit, and truly announcing that his unique, soft-spoken style was not just viable, but deeply desired by the audience. It was a career milestone that quickly led to a new recording contract with ABC/Dot Records, catapulting him into the next phase of his storied career.
The core meaning of “We Should Be Together” is distilled into a truth so pure, it’s timeless: the simple, undeniable recognition that two people are better off joined than apart. The genius lies in the lyricist Allen Reynolds’ unadorned, almost conversational language. It speaks of the quiet, constant struggle to deny a powerful emotional connection: “I keep tryin’ not to love you / But I love you anyway.” It’s a battle of the mind against the heart, a conflict familiar to anyone who has ever tried to rationalize their way out of a true connection.
The emotional resonance for us, the older listener, comes from recognizing that profound sense of inevitability. We know that love, particularly the enduring kind, isn’t about grand, sweeping gestures. It’s about the comfort of walking “side by side,” and the mutual contentment of “keepin’ each other satisfied.” Williams’ velvety, deep-as-a-well baritone delivers this message with such a lack of artifice that it feels less like a performance and more like a gentle, reasoned argument whispered across a kitchen table.
The production, masterfully handled by Allen Reynolds, is a perfect example of the “Countrypolitan” sound at its best—clean, warm, and tastefully adorned with just the right amount of instrumentation to support Williams’ voice without distracting from the message. It’s a throwback to a time when songs were allowed to breathe and the melody was as important as the vocal delivery.
Listening to “We Should Be Together” now is more than just hearing a song; it’s being transported back to a time when life, though perhaps not simpler, certainly felt more grounded. It’s a sonic photograph of a relationship on the cusp—a quiet, heartfelt plea for the inevitable union to finally take place. It speaks to the wisdom that comes with age: the understanding that fighting destiny, particularly when it comes wrapped in the sweet comfort of shared company, is a losing battle. It is a beautiful testament to the power of gentle persistence in matters of the heart, a quality that defined both the man and his unforgettable music.
Oldies Songs