Neil Diamond - I am... I said REACTION

[@ebenclukey7293]

Neil....The man. The myth. The Master. Imagine when he wrote this, his father wanted him to be a rabbi. He took his chance and followed his dream to be a song writer. He was a socially awkward person in a tiny office struggling to compose something that would resonate with people....He did ok.

[@monica11760]

I didn't know this! Thanks for sharing his back story!

[@edwarddavis6827]

Actually that isn’t correct. He went to NYU and studied medicine on a fencing scholarship. He dropped out in his final year to focus on song writing. It was Bob Dylan who came from a rabbinical family...

[@reallymysterious4393]

The 3nd best Neil ever in the music biz after Peart and Young ...

[@simonjohncasey]

I think you may be confusing Neil Diamond the person with the character he plays in the Jazz Singer

[@lionelguilbert6493]

@@simonjohncasey that is correct

[@davidwalker683]

Solitary man, America, cherry cherry, Kentucky woman,cracklings rose, love on the rocks. Great artist

[@marysutherland8236]

Neil Diamond’s Solitary made me cry the first time I heard it and still does today. Beautiful song.

[@mistymac9345]

And the live Crunchy Granola intro 💞

[@alexsanny9168]

September morn?

[@tedrichardson3095]

SOME HIS GREATEST HITS!

[@lindalongwell8128]

I love it.

[@surlechapeau]

J, you'll like his "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" and "Holly Holy"

[@paulschmidtke425]

Great suggestions, particularly brother loves

[@mistymac9345]

Holly Holy just builds and builds

[@covatembelmusic]

@@mistymac9345 In Holly Holy Neil reveals the secret of Creation.

[@royalway12]

Great suggestions.

[@grobgrub]

For "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" I would recommend the one of him on the Johnny Cash Show (kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJ2vgYKea5WlgMU). I would also highly recommend the version of "Play Me" from the BBC which he did as a duet with Shirley Bassey.

[@roncreswell6843]

Neil Diamond's "Hot August Night " album is a complete masterpiece

[@donpaladino]

Perhaps his magnum opus

[@vcole7611]

"Cracklin' Rosie", "Kentucky Woman", "Solitary Man"

[@georgehasleftthebuilding6621]

Shiloh 💖

[@dixonjazzy56]

Stones!

[@cshubs]

Neil Diamond is a whole 'nuther enchilada. So many good songs!

[@musemoon]

FUN FACT: Neil Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. He received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and was an honoree at the Kennedy Center Honors on 2011. Neil received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

[@robertstrohm2412]

This man is the reason I began playing guitar at 16, I am now 67 and I still play and “feel” his songs especially this one. He is one for the ages. Thank you for listening and appreciating a legend.

[@Dakota0425]

2024!! Still and always love Neil!!!!!❤

[@user-DJDreamworld]

Come on everyone show Jay some thumbs up love for his hard work

[@rullmourn1142]

The late Princess Diana said Neil Diamond was one of her favorite singers.

[@bluecollarlit]

I'm a great fan of both Princess Diana and Neil Diamond, and I did not know this. Thanks for the info.

[@heyhuey4429]

"America" (also known as "They're Coming to America" or "Coming to America") is a patriotic song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980 on the soundtrack album of Diamond's film The Jazz Singer. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Diamond's sixth number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.

[@Jillyconjem]

The first time I went back into NYC after 9/11 was to see Neil Diamond at Madison Square Garden. Walked in as he started singing America with a giant flag behind him. Everyone was crying. It was so emotional and amazing. 💜

[@mspfinney]

I was privileged to see him in concert twice. He put on one hell of a show. Every song he sang was a hit. Love him and his songs. Try his song called “America”.

[@mattdaddyful]

Me 2..Seen in Miami 28 years ago and he was on a rotating stage that spinned around and 5 years ago before he retired..He was Great

[@Mr54nomore]

" For I'm not a man who likes to swear, but I never cared for the sound of being alone."-Neil Diamond I consider him Americas greatest singer/songwriter. Awesome reaction.

[@rhiahlMT]

Sweet Caroline, America, Cherry Cherry, Solitary Man. So many!

[@georgehasleftthebuilding6621]

Whoever don't love Neil Diamond is already dead inside 💖 💎 NICE!! Jay- SHILOH IS THE BEST SONG EVER 'LA rents are low' 😂😂😂

[@marladiamond7849]

Yeah. I live in the LA area. I think the rents and house prices are one of, if not the, highest in the country.

[@georgehasleftthebuilding6621]

@@marladiamond7849 well at least the sun still shines most of the time 🌞 I feel your pain!!!!

[@Frau44]

I love “Holly Holy” and “Shilo” - along with this one, STILL on my playlist ❤️❤️❤️🎶🎶🎶

[@georgehasleftthebuilding6621]

SHILOH💎💖

[@Frau44]

@@georgehasleftthebuilding6621 I have a Chihuahua (senior rescue) named Holly, so I sing to her Holly Holy 🎶 I had a “Shilo” for a while...his name was Vladimir! lol!!

[@angelaortenzi-maccoll2747]

I'm so glad someone else mentioned Holy Holy

[@2715bunky]

"Solitary Man" "Play Me" "Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon" "Summer Love"

[@edwarddavis6827]

Summer love is such a great tune...

[@beeseewill2407]

"I am I said".simple title for a great story ,sung brilliantly. Though Neal Diamond is a great singer,he could just read the lyrics out loud and still sound good. Like Lionel Richie ,When they are speaking their voices sounds like they are singing.

[@j.jennings1722]

Neil is great! In the 70's he wrote the music to an odd movie called, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and the album was a hit. Please, react to the big hit from that album, the gorgeous, inspiring "Be." It seems that the public has forgotten all about that great, powerful song, and you should be the one to help them rediscover it. Thanks.

[@sharilynbratton6476]

When I was in high school I listened to that soundtrack every single night at bedtime, it just transported me away from all my troubles. I have gone through 2 vinyl albums and a cd of this soundtrack since then, and I am 58 now. When my son was so ill in the year before his death at age 31 ( he passed in 2015), I introduced him to the Jonathon Livingston Seagull album and he grew to love it so much. I added "Dear Father" to his funeral program list of songs. Here's both "Be" and "Dear Father" in one video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYeTfmWvodV1eKs

[@KiraShea13]

“Jonathan Livingston Seagull” is a great little book by Richard Bach. It didn’t translate very well to the screen at all, but Neil’s soundtrack is amazing.

[@edwarddavis6827]

Actually he won the Grammy for original film score for that album. Up against serious competition at the time...

[@paulschmidtke425]

@@KiraShea13 loved the book

[@teresat.2547]

@@sharilynbratton6476 I am so very sorry about your son. I pray that you have found comfort in happy memories of him. *hugs*

[@debbiesmith8248]

All Neil’s songs are emotive. Three generations of my family like him.

[@traviswoodfin3044]

Great song by Neil.He has so many hits.One of my favorites is "Forever in blue jeans". Check it out.

[@ladykaycey]

That's one of my favourites too. I can't sing along though - his voice is too low lol

[@traviswoodfin3044]

@@ladykayceyThat's okay Karen sing along anyway!!😁

[@ladykaycey]

@@traviswoodfin3044 🙉🤣🤣

[@texaslyoness8537]

Neil imo has the sexiest male voice. Amazing! Try listening to “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers Anymore”. A duet with Neil and Barbra Streisand. Such a great love song!

[@stevenkendall3092]

You need to do Neil's "Love On the Rocks" next. Do the lyric version not the movie scene version from the Jazz Singer.

[@sabrinamarkos7099]

I ❤Neil Diamond. He is the consummate song writer!👍🏾👵🏿🤗

[@solitarybee3714]

I had forgotten what a great voice Neil Diamond had, and how much I enjoyed listening to him sing, way back in the day. Thanks to whoever suggested this one! And thanks to JayveeTV!

[@homebrew2070]

I got to see him in concert in the late ‘80’s. He was great. Back when we had to stand in line to get tickets.

[@33peep]

And sleep outside overnight if it was a hit concert so you got them before they sold out! 😂

[@aiasis3983]

Gave me chills. I could somehow identify with that song at 12yrs old. Now I'm 60 and have lived through that coast to coast identity crisis. Love Neil Diamond. 👍❣

[@TheBeav87914]

Ditto...chills ☮️❣️ I love that voice!

[@marladiamond7849]

Im a huge Neil Diamond fan. I’m originally from London, England (now living in the LA area) and saw him live in London several times. He has an incredible stage presence and puts on a fantastic show. I was somewhat of a Neil Diamond and Bee Gees groupie in my young days. I met The Bee Gees many times and also met Neil a few times. He was so nice and very friendly. He has so many great songs. I’m sure I’m missing a lot and many of these have been mentioned in these comments, but I would suggest: Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon, Solitary Man. Kentucky Woman, Play Me, Brooklyn Roads, Coldwater Morning, Hello Again, Love on the Rocks, Stones, Beautiful Noise, If You Know What I Mean and on and on. There is a musician and friend I go to see very often, who plays a lot of Neil Diamond, as well as many other artists. He’s a big Neil Diamond fan. I wish I knew how to get in touch with Neil and see if he would come to see him play one day....probably after the pandemic ends.

[@larrywt656]

Another Neil Diamond classic! One of the great songwriters, not only for himself but for others as well (he wrote several of the Monkees' biggest hits for example).

[@mistymac9345]

He wrote ' The Grass won't pay no mind' for Elvis

[@euginabarnes6712]

Neil Diamond is THE BEST! I was lucky enough to have seen him 10 times in concert. Check out: Glory Road, And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind, Dig In and Walk on Water!!

[@patsloyan9755]

Great song! Love Neil! And those Violins!! 🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@nrsvlda70]

Have seen Neil in concert several times. He ALWAYS gave his all - song after song.. he’s written so many classics. Miss him.. and wish him well with his health challenges.

[@rozequinn1519]

I believe this is my favorite Diamond song. He has so many great songs & have written so many wonderful songs for other artists. He's definitely one of a kind!

[@TangoEliott]

I love Neil. This song is so powerful. Love it.

[@antoinettelopes]

I was lucky enough to see him at Madison Square Garden when they were filming what would become the "Hot August Night/NYC" DVD back in 2008. All of his songs are great. What's amazing about him is that his songs are deceptively easy listening but actually rock quite hard. I also think it's a great tribute to his badassery that Quentin Tarantino used him more than once in his films to great effect. My favorite songs of his are "Holly Holy", "Cracklin' Rosie", "Love on the Rocks", and "Soolaimon".

[@TheCornishCockney]

Great album. Lucky you being there,im jealous.

[@AtomicVampire1]

I was at that show as well

[@jessiemyrle4907]

Neil Diamond is just one of the fabulous singers we enjoyed during this generation, but he was one of the best! Loved his voice and he was definitely one of my favorites!!!♥️

[@lisar.6670]

I looooove Neil Diamond!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Holly Holy .. Cherry, Cherry .. Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show .. All 3 live versions from Neil's album "Hot August Night" 1972.

[@rhondamcbath6279]

This man packages only GOLD HITS!! I LOVE ALL HIS MUSIC 🎶🎶🎶

[@marleneclausen30]

Saw the Jazz Singer on my honeymoon. Loved the movie and the sound track. Always thought Coming to America should be our national anthem. You have to listen to the song to understand why. His live concerts were dynamite. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show would have thousands dancing. Hope you react to it next.

[@christinetaggart2489]

Omg Neil diamond every song is so good. Sitting in the farm house at my grandparents in the rocker. This brings tears to my eyes. You took me back thank you.

[@rjjohnson2402]

Summer 1972. I just finished my high school junior year in a suburb of LA. Everyone was talking about going to the Greek theatre and climbing in the trees behind it (it's an open air theater similar to the Hollywood bowl) to watch the upcoming Neil Diamond concert. Well I didn't go and my friends never let me live it down. They said it was phenomenal. He even gave a shout-out to the "tree people"! So I missed the chance to see it live but bought the album the day it was released. Every song on that album is a hit. Put on the Koss Pro4 AA headphones, lay down on the floor and zone out for an hour. All the songs people are listing in there comments are on this one album. One of my best childhood memories for both missing the concert and getting the album. 💯

[@ladykaycey]

What can you say, Neil Diamond is simply a genius. Brilliant.

[@philtarbox8256]

"A Modern Day Version of Love", "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", "Solitary Man"... three great selections from Neil Diamond

[@robinforehand4846]

Love Neil diamond my mom’s favorite singer!!!

[@catenystrom6506]

Love on the Rocks is a MUST, I also love his song Play Me. GREAT songwriter, very unique artist.

[@TheMike_I]

Holly Holy from 1969, my favorite Neil Diamond song

[@Tambo74]

"Girl you'll be whole woman soon" is one of my favourites by Neil Diamond, check it out man!.

[@marladiamond7849]

Yes!!!!

[@maryt2290]

One of my favorite Neil Diamond songs

[@janethernandez724]

I love everything Neil Diamond sings! I also like Longfellow Serenade and Forever in Blue Jeans, and Beautiful Noise and somebody out there in the YT world someone created a video for fun to that song Beautiful Noise! I thought it was a clever video to see! I was lucky enough to see Neil Diamond perform at the Forum here in Los Angeles many years ago! Fantastic performer on stage too! Love your reaction to Neil Diamond! Looking forward to more! Peace! ✌☮

[@bemused9522]

Neil Diamond's "America". A must.

[@pollynolin3602]

You need to listen to his concert album Hot August Night. It was a transcendent concert (I went 3 times that week) 😊

[@angieknape9173]

My heart, my heart!❤️I can’t even put it in words. My eyes leak and chills come all over me! Happy you love it too, Jay. I can’t part with my one and only Neil Diamond T-shirt that has the words to this son on it!

[@rosieq4380]

You should listen to the duo of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond “you don’t bring me flowers anymore”.

[@kev7161]

Yes! I keep suggesting this but Jay's not listening! :(

[@Nonniewantsmore]

That was my mom’s favorite song.

[@richdiana3663]

The live rendition from the Oscar broadcast. Magical.

[@patches1589]

@@richdiana3663 100% agree.

[@billbryant9995]

Totally agree, that is my favorite duet of all time!!!

[@makeitmakesense5577]

Neil Diamond Hot August Night! Brings back a lot of memories. His music was a big part of my life..Thank you for All your reactions..Your the Best! My first video of yours was Queens Bohemian Rhapsody...I was hooked on your channel after watching that! You've come a long way! Congrats on your success! You deserve all the Love!

[@katie-didellis2437]

There are two Hot August Nights the original and one that was produced I'd say six seven ten years ago. I just moved so it's packed away somewhere so I can't really give you many particulars but it was the second Hot August Night and it was fabulous concert. I didn't get to go but I think it was on Commercial television. Any of the songs that have been mentioned would be a great follow-up. The man can sing anything and anything he sings is a number one. He's terrific. Coming to America is fantastic, I think it's patriotic without being overly emotional. The one line I like is where he speaks they're coming to America it's just a great song that.

[@rogerthat9174]

Katie-did Ellis He also has a third hot august night.... celebrating forty years of the original....

[@katie-didellis2437]

@@rogerthat9174 Thank you, I didn't know about the 3rd.

[@TheWynch]

Neil said this song was written during a transition in his life trying to decide who he was, where his music was heading and his life in general. It is a very intense emotional song when you see him perform it live, it almost brings tears to your eyes. America and Brother Love Traveling Salvation Show are two more intense songs.

[@dalebaker9109]

I love this song, I am a big fan of his early stuff. I love his warm smooth deep bass baritone voice. Talent times ten.

[@garethwearn9907]

You can't go wrong wing with Neil Diamond, memories of cruising the highways as a kid this playing on the stereo round and round from his Greatest Hits countless times all before befors leaving Texas San Antonio to Wisconsin and back.

[@larrywt656]

I made that trip quite a few times myself. My family was all from Wisconsin but I was born and raised in San Antonio and made the trip up north to see my cousins, aunts and uncles every year.

[@isabelle317]

I grew up on him because of my mom. Always turned up to 10.

[@dagnelpaula1]

A sadly beautiful song. I've always loved this, but it always makes me tear up. Just as beautiful as when I heard it the first time. Thanks for your wonderful reaction!

[@alisonsumpter6121]

Absolutely love this man nd his music, his voice is so smooth 👌🔥

[@dreamdivine256]

Neil Diamond WOW just WOW.

[@shayneerwin2809]

"Play Me" is one of Neil Diamond's lesser known songs but so emotional. You'll love it seeing as you loved this one. You should react to that. "Love on the Rocks" I know has been recommended too. A classic. The signature Niel Diamond song is "Forever in Blue Jeans". And "America" is a good, up tempo tune. Neil is also the original artist and writer of "Girl, you'll be a woman soon" and "Red red wine". Great artist. Oh, and "Beautiful Noise" is such a feel good song

[@marladiamond7849]

Love Play Me.

[@makeitmakesense5577]

OMG..I forgot about Play Me...Loved that song! One of my favorites!

[@judywebber5111]

Ah, my uncle built his studio .In Los Angeles.... he is so nice ..

[@tigerwilliams7723]

Legendary singer/songwriter...music discography is massive! Please react to Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand's "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" ❤️

[@leannmiller7153]

I love Neil Diamond, and this is one of my very favorite songs. Thank you for reacting to it❤️❤️❤️

[@shericampbell-husband2528]

Neil D is one the consummate entertainer, and has a gorgeous voice that’s like honey one minute and gravel the next. Pick anything he’s ever recorded and you’re in for a treat.

[@stephaniewhite5644]

Neil Diamond is a national treasure! 🏆❤

[@shelter9236]

Had a wonderful soothing voice and was a great songwriter. Had a very long career and wrote several songs for different artists. Feel so bad, he's dealing with Parkinson's disease. This is another deep rabbit hole you can go in. Love your t-shirt! My favorite group!

[@steveburns5441]

So cool you did this song. This was my brother's favorite song from him. he lived in San Francisco and came back to Kansas City back and forth. He said this song is how he felt. He passed away a few years ago. Every time I hear the song I think about him. Thank you for everything you do

[@frankscarborough1428]

Live the way you appreciate Neil. I’ve loved his songs and song writing for so long. Seems you get him the same way I do.

[@adav5533]

One of my all time favorites, Neil Diamond. I fell in love with his music since 1967 at age 10 with his song, "I'm a Believer".,also sung by the Monkees. You will also enjoy another Neil Diamond hit, "Be" 💗

[@tackanderson4270]

His voice alone is unreal, toss in his musicianship and song writing skills and you have a rare combination that's 1 in a generation, if that!

[@Gort-Marvin0Martian]

Probably the greatest song of introspection ever written. And the writer (him) delivers it magnificently!! I am... said I. Wow. Thanks for reviewing it.

[@realcoolbreeze]

Classic song. You seem to really “get “ these artists. Good understanding and review. Saw him in concert and he gives 110% every song. Had an amazing orchestra too. A true American legend.😀👍

[@resin3100my]

If you want to hear an amazing version of this song,check out his live album "Hot August Night" from 1972.Another great song on that album is "Holly Holy".Also on that album is "Red,Red Wine",worth checking out the original version by the writer.UB40 did a good version,but is was meant to be more sad,county sounding song.

[@rosem2896]

Love him🌹

[@Cheryl_Haydon]

Aaaah yesss...my favorite Neil Diamond song...beautiful.

[@kiwigirljacks]

One of my favourite Neil Diamond songs! “Shiloh” is my other top song of his 🙌🙌

[@kennethstark9383]

Super good fantastic singer pure gold a real singer 🎵🎧🇬🇧👍

[@nikkiharris6091]

Jay I saw Neal. In the early 70. At a country club in corpus Christi. Tex. That man is gorgeous and what a voice.he was real young then. 🔥🔥🔥💞💞💞

[@aotearoawahine100]

This song helped me through some tough times so it'll always be a firm fave of mine. Am so happy I got to see him live in concert 5 years ago here in NZ, such a legend

[@jessicahollowell3534]

My favorite Neil Diamond song, and he has so many other great hits, you can’t run out.

[@whatthejim]

My all time favourite Neil Diamond song and is in my top 10 songs of all time!!!😃👍☮️❤️

[@dianedarby442]

Definitely check out Solitary Man - great artist.

[@magovenor]

I really began paying attention to Mr. Diamond’s music when I was a sixteen year old dishwasher. Over the years, like most people my ability to discern concerning true talent allowed me to appreciate many different artists like him.

[@Mr54nomore]

In my humble opinion...I consider Neil Diamond Americas greatest Singer/Songwriter in history. With over 100 top 40 hits. No one comes close to match the hits he wrote in over 7 decades. The man is an institution... He has been given so many awards for his body of work. One of the greatest verses ever written about ones self esteem..."And I'm Not A Man Who Likes To Swear But I Never Cared For The Sound Of Being Alone." Great post and reaction. His Grammy award winning album "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" written for the movie of the same name was one of his best scores. His song "BE" is to die for. Its a take off of Shakespeare's "To Be Or Not To Be." Whether to live or die is the question...

[@beatnpotatoes]

This takes me back to road trips when I was a kid, travelling coast to coast. We had a stack of eight tracks in the old van. This was one of them. Wooooo, memory lane.

[@thomasgatrell2519]

one of my favourite songwriter/performers. The lyrics paint wonderful effortless pictures. thanks for posting this , rock on brother, Tom from England

[@sherrykelley2930]

Love on the rocks and Hello again great songs by Neil Diamond.

[@generalismoquabablinotheth5902]

This is one of the most genuine outpouring of emotions, the state of feeling alone even doubting his existence and the emphatic “I am said I” his affirmation that he is here he exists, guys voice is truly amazing

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Neil diamond iconic legend you cannot go wrong with his wonderful songs love you

[@carolyn64]

Good looking guy walking on the beach in his bell bottom 👖! Reminds me of my hippie days!🎶🎵🎧😎🎶🎵🤟

[@judithspicer1490]

I love his music 🎶 he has a wonderful voice

[@rosem2896]

He has a lot of hits.......Next one sweet Caroline

[@adriennepender673]

NEIL. One of the best pop songwriters ever. You are in for a treat, my friend. 🎶☺️ You MUST listen to Solitary Man, Sweet Caroline, Play Me, Song Sung Blue, America....

[@mezellenjohnson2753]

I had forgotten this one, he is so talented and has a lovely voice. I love your reactions, and the way you think about the song the singer and the music. This is a beautiful song that never seems to age in my mind. Stay safe and take care please my friends, God bless you all love hugs and peace to everyone Mary-Ellen UK

[@juliedaly9897]

My favourite Neil Diamond song. So glad he can still be appreciated now. ❤️

[@daleporter8997]

The entertainer he loved to wear loud colorful shirts, so many great songs!