“Together Again” is a heartfelt country ballad performed by Emmylou Harris, released in February 1976 as the lead single from her album Elite Hotel under Reprise Records. Originally penned and made famous by Buck Owens—who took it to No. 1 in 1964—Harris’ rendition also climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in April 1976, holding the spot for one week and spending a total of 14 weeks on the chart. Marking her first of five chart-toppers, the song captures the emotional reunion of two lovers with lyrics like: “Together again, my tears have stopped falling / The long lonely nights are now at an end.”
Harris’ interpretation breathes new life into the classic, her clear, emotional voice and signature harmonies bringing depth and vulnerability. Rolling Stone described her version as filled with “hope and longing.” Speaking to CMT in 2000, Harris reflected on the song’s resonance: “It’s simple, but it says everything about love coming back.” Elite Hotel went on to win a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance in 1976, solidifying her status in the genre’s evolution during the decade.
The track was recorded in June 1975 at the Enactron Truck Studio in Los Angeles, produced by Brian Ahern. Harris was backed by her renowned Hot Band, which featured James Burton and Rodney Crowell on guitars, Hank DeVito on pedal steel, Emory Gordy Jr. on bass, John Ware on drums, Glen D. Hardin on piano, with vocal support from Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton, according to Discogs. The arrangement blends warm acoustic guitar, expressive steel guitar, and lush vocal layering, earning praise from AllMusic as “a showcase of Harris’ exceptional interpretive skill.” The album reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200. Its simple G-C-D chord structure and the memorable line “the love that I knew is living again” made it a beloved tune on country radio and streaming playlists.
Born April 2, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama, Emmylou Harris rose to fame in the early ’70s following her collaborations with Gram Parsons. With the release of Pieces of the Sky (1975) and Elite Hotel, she became a defining figure in the country-rock and Americana movements. According to Wikipedia, Harris has earned 14 Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. “Together Again” remained a highlight in her live shows, including performances at the Grand Ole Opry in 1976 and on Austin City Limits in 1980. A video of one of these performances is available on YouTube, capturing her graceful presence on stage.
The song has been recorded by numerous artists, including Buck Owens (1964), Ray Charles (1966), Glen Campbell (1977), and Dwight Yoakam (2007), as documented by SecondHandSongs. On Reddit, fans have described Harris’ version as “a tearjerker that feels like coming home.”
Although it hasn’t featured prominently in films, the song continues to resonate with listeners on platforms like Spotify and Shazam, where it’s frequently identified for its nostalgic and comforting tone. Free from controversy, the song is widely celebrated as a testament to Harris’ unique ability to reinterpret country classics. As No Depression once noted, “Emmylou took Buck’s song and made it her own, pure and timeless.” Still performing into her late 70s, Harris’ enduring influence is evident in “Together Again”—a moving tribute to love’s return.
Lyric
Together again, my tears have stopped falling
The long lonely nights are now at an end
The key to my heart you hold in your hand
And nothing else matters, we’re together againTogether again, the gray skies are gone
You’re back in my arms now where you belong
The love that I knew is living again
And nothing else matters, we’re together againTogether again, my tears have stopped falling
The long lonely nights are now at an end
The love that I knew is living again
And nothing else matters, we’re together again