James Brown performs "Get It Together". Live at the Boston Garden. April 5, 1968.

James Brown performs "Get It Together." Live at the Boston Garden, April 5, 1968.

In the aftermath of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination on April 4, 1968, rioting broke out in cities across the country. James Brown had been scheduled to perform at the Boston Garden on April 5th. Boston Mayor Kevin White had initially wanted to cancel all public events, including James Brown's show. As there was concern that the cancellation of the show might cause an escalation of the crisis. it was agreed that James Brown's show would go on. The show, one of the greatest in Boston's history, went on and the city of Boston remained relatively calm. James Brown consoled his mourning audience, dedicated the show to the memory of Dr. King and was instrumental in keeping the peace on the streets of Boston. This concert became known as " The Night James Brown Saved Boston"

"Get it Together" was released in 1967 as a two-part single. The song charted #11 R&B and #40 Pop.

Video transcript:

[Instrumental Music]

James Brown: Don't guess why over what you're doing. Don't guess why over what you're doing. If I keep loving you my life would be ruined. I tell you, I'm hip on your running round
Good God, hip to your running round but do you know one thing I'm gonna put you down. Oh, get it together. Get it together. Get it together. Get it together. You said that you wanted baby a brand new bag but you, you were just jiving. You wanted a drag. You ducked out of school baby before you got it down. You ducked out of school before you got it down. Now you ain't hip. You're the biggest fool in town. Oh, get it together. Get it together. Get it together. Get it together.

[Instrumental Music]

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