A Radiant Ode to the Simple, Unshakable Power of Togetherness
For those of us who remember the autumn of 1972, the air was filled with a sense of changing times, yet some things remained a comforting constant. One of those was the weekly televised gathering with America’s favorite musical family. It was during this season that The Partridge Family released their sixth studio album, “The Partridge Family Notebook,” a collection that, while not scaling the same commercial heights as its predecessors—peaking at a respectable #41 on the Billboard charts—offered a treasure trove of pure pop sincerity. Nestled within this album was “Together We’re Better,” a track that may not have been a chart-topping single, but which captured the very essence of the Partridge ethos in a melody so bright and hopeful it felt like bottled sunshine.
Penned by the gifted songwriting duo of Tony Romeo and Ken Jacobson, the song is a masterclass in the kind of earnest, heart-on-its-sleeve sentiment that defined the era’s best pop music. It’s more than just a song; it’s a feeling, a moment captured in amber. David Cassidy’s lead vocal, imbued with that unique blend of youthful confidence and gentle vulnerability, guides us through a simple but profound declaration: that any burden is lighter, any joy is brighter, and any path is clearer when walked with someone you care for. The arrangement, with its cascading harmonies and buoyant rhythm, creates an irresistible pull, a sound that instantly transports you back to a time when hope felt not just possible, but inevitable. It speaks of a foundational truth, the idea that unity—whether in romance, friendship, or family—is not just a comfort, but a source of genuine strength.
The song found its most perfect and memorable context not on the radio, but on television. In the Season 3 episode titled “Princess and The Partridge,” which first aired on September 29, 1972, the song became the centerpiece of a fairy-tale romance. The family performs “Together We’re Better” as a formal concert piece for a visiting royal, Princess Jennie, who is hopelessly smitten with Keith. In this scene, the song transcends its general message of unity and becomes a specific, heartfelt serenade. As Keith sings lines of devotion and togetherness, looking out towards the princess, the lyrics become the unspoken dialogue of their budding love story. It was a moment of pure television magic, a beautifully crafted scene where the music didn’t just supplement the narrative, but became its very soul, underscoring the fantasy that a regular kid from California could indeed win the heart of a princess.
Relive the Royal Performance
The enduring appeal of “Together We’re Better” lies in this beautiful duality. It is at once a universal anthem of solidarity and a deeply personal love song. It may not be the track most frequently cited when discussing the band’s musical legacy, but its warmth and sincerity are undeniable. It’s a gentle reminder of a simpler, more optimistic time, a testament to the idea that the most powerful messages are often the most straightforward. For anyone who watched that episode, the song is forever linked to the glow of first love and the magic of a prime-time fantasy, proving that sometimes, the greatest strength we can ever find is simply in turning to the person next to us and realizing that together, we truly are better.