Got to Get Ready for Love — a bright, stomping anthem where optimism meets the pulse of early-1970s glam
When “Got to Get Ready for Love” burst onto the airwaves in 1973, it arrived with a sense of urgency and joy that felt unmistakably of its time — bold, rhythmic, and driven by a belief that love, like music, could lift you up and carry you forward. Performed by The Glitter Band, the song became one of the defining moments of the group’s independent identity, reaching No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart shortly after its release and cementing their place beyond the shadow of their former associations.
The importance of this song lies not only in its chart success but in what it represented. The Glitter Band had begun as a backing group, their thunderous twin-drum sound powering some of the biggest glam rock records of the early 1970s. Yet with “Got to Get Ready for Love,” they stepped fully into their own spotlight. This was not merely a spin-off hit; it was a declaration of autonomy, confidence, and musical purpose.
From the opening beat, the song moves with relentless momentum. The drums — heavy, marching, and almost ceremonial — give it a heartbeat that feels both celebratory and determined. Over that foundation, bright guitars and buoyant harmonies create a sound that is instantly recognizable: polished yet raw, simple yet irresistible. It is glam rock stripped of excess, focused instead on rhythm, feeling, and communal energy.
Lyrically, “Got to Get Ready for Love” is deceptively straightforward. It speaks of anticipation, of preparing oneself emotionally for what lies ahead. This is not the heartbreak or decadence often associated with the era; instead, it is a song about readiness — about opening the heart after distance, hesitation, or doubt. The message feels almost practical: love does not simply arrive; one must be willing, prepared, and brave enough to receive it.
That theme resonates deeply, especially when heard through the lens of time. The early 1970s were years of contrast — optimism and uncertainty walking hand in hand. In that climate, a song urging listeners to get ready carried more weight than it might first appear. It suggested resilience, renewal, and faith in emotional connection, even when the world felt unsteady.
For listeners encountering the song decades later, there is a powerful sense of nostalgia woven into its grooves. The sound evokes dance halls, radios turned up just a little louder than necessary, and evenings when music felt like a shared experience rather than a solitary one. It recalls a moment when pop songs didn’t hide behind irony — they believed wholeheartedly in what they were saying.
What makes The Glitter Band special here is their sincerity. There is no wink, no detachment. The performance is direct and joyful, grounded in the physicality of rhythm and the collective spirit of the band. You can almost feel the floorboards shake beneath the beat, feel the crowd moving together, united by that simple, hopeful refrain.
In the arc of the band’s career, “Got to Get Ready for Love” stands as their signature statement — the song that proved they were more than a supporting act. It remains their most enduring hit, not because it chased complexity, but because it captured a feeling that never truly ages: the moment just before love begins, when possibility hangs in the air and the heart steels itself for joy.
Listening now, the song feels like a time capsule and a reminder. It reminds us of an era when rhythm could be communal, when optimism could be shouted over pounding drums, and when preparing for love felt like an act of courage. And perhaps that is why it still lingers — steady, upbeat, and quietly reassuring — urging us, even now, to get ready once again.