Neil Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family. His maternal grandparents came to America from Russia not long before the Revolution of 1917. It's not only one of Diamond's greatest songs but it's also very personal to him. I always say that if you want to get to know Neil Diamond, you just have to listen to his songs. He's also a charismatic performer with, as you pointed out, a very distinctive voice. One of the best singer-songwriters of modern music.
@Jon_from_LI Жыл бұрын
And he went to Erasmus High School in Brooklyn; same as Barbara Streisand.
@gladiscasula1030Ай бұрын
❤❤❤❤❤🎉🎉
@l-bird2 жыл бұрын
As others said, this video is from the movie The Jazz Singer. Neil Diamond's character longed to be a jazz singer, but his dad was a strict Jewish cantor. The ones in the audience were his dad and his wife who both were opposed to him going against tradition. I love the song, great reaction Harri. Thanks
@kevinduveneck15042 жыл бұрын
The old man in the audience played his father who opposed his music career, however the woman sitting next to him played his second wife and she had actually encouraged him to follow his dream. Also the large man sitting behind them played his manager in the movie.
@l-bird2 жыл бұрын
@gigi v Yes, Sir Laurence Olivier, one of the greatest actors.
@jakerazmataz852 Жыл бұрын
@@kevinduveneck1504 Thanks for clarifying that. They were actors. I thought they were his actual parents.
@mr.x5458 Жыл бұрын
In real life that was Lucie Arnaz and Sir Laurence Olivier
@lesleyblack5722 Жыл бұрын
Best singer, best singer for a fabulous American song. Neil Diamond is so proud about his country America. ❤️❤️❤️
@bemused95222 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the 4th of July nod to the USA with this song. It is one of my favorites by him. Thank you, Harri!
@lindabergman31272 жыл бұрын
Beautiful song n so glad to see his dad's approval of his success and enjoying watching his sin😭😭😭♥️
@katie-didellis24372 жыл бұрын
It is 5:45 a.m. EST. What a way to start July 4th 2022, listening to Neil Diamond singing Coming to America. I'm a lover of Neil diamond music and have been for decades. It is so sad that due to illness he is not performing or recording music anymore. That is such a loss. I am always so proud of America when I hear this song. My material grandmother is German descent and came from Russia my father's people are of Croatian descent. Both my father and my mother were first generation born in the United States and they were very proud of it. BOTH served in WWII and I served during Vietnam War. We have our problems in this country but it is still the best country in the world. We have privilege and freedoms that other people in other countries can only dream of. God bless the USA.
@dejns69452 жыл бұрын
This is my favorite Neil Diamond song.
@johnthegreek58362 жыл бұрын
I love Neil Diamond, great singer, songwriter and artist
@merryklascius5842 жыл бұрын
Happy independence day AMERICA!!!
@surlechapeau2 жыл бұрын
Harri, for your 7th & 8th Neil Diamond song, I'd recommend "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" and "Song Sung Blue" !!
@lindabergman31272 жыл бұрын
Absolutely right those songs and thank the Lord for the nightie are fabulous
@lindabergman31272 жыл бұрын
Night time
@DeborahVallier-vx4il9 ай бұрын
Yes, it was from the Jazz Singer movie, you were right. Amazing Song ❤
@annastayja7 ай бұрын
Yes, I came to say the same 😊❤🇺🇲
@cdfdesantis6992 жыл бұрын
I saw yesterday (7/3/22) that you'd reacted to this song, sir, but I waited till today, USA Independence Day, to watch this. Not going to get on a soap box - I will just say that America isn't perfect, but it shines the light of freedom brighter than anywhere else right now. Between 900,000-1,000,000 immigrants come to America every year, from every corner of the globe. Every year, America welcomes 3 times as many immigrants as all other nations COMBINED. America's diversity is its strength. Couple other Neil Diamond songs you may want to check out, sir: "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" & "Walk On Water", my 2 fave Neil Diamond songs. Thank you, sir, for reacting to a song that will be played at just about every fireworks show in "the land of the free, & the home of the brave" this evening!
@renewilliams76002 жыл бұрын
I am in America watching this on July 4th. Thank you for the a perfect song for today. Happy Birthday America and God Bless the USA.
@charlizeham1 Жыл бұрын
Watched this now.... Yes this is from the movie Jazz Singer. His dad and his wife in audience.
@lyallg81122 жыл бұрын
I absolutely adore Neil Diamond. Holly Holy is possibly my favourite song… but there are many largely unknown gems like ‘If I Never Knew Your Name’. He does extraordinary covers too.
@scherado012 жыл бұрын
I can't even express how much I love that song. Wasn't it used in a key moment in the movie, "Holy Smoke?" (Jane Campion, Winslet, Keitel.)
@jameslytle85272 жыл бұрын
Great Reaction Harry!! The old man was played by Sir Lawrence Olivier, considered by many tobe the Greatest actor of all time! He was also mentor to a young inexperienced actor named Anthony Hopkins! Just had to add those small factoids! Thanks!
@JamesGreenier2 жыл бұрын
The most moving song I’ve ever heard. This is what America is about. The dream. It’s still alive.
@michaelemery1497 Жыл бұрын
I like ur videos..My lawywr told me the less u say on the stand the better..So will leave it at that..Thanks
@joshuadeshaies71062 жыл бұрын
Oh yeah!!! This was my grandmother’s favorite song!! I luv it too thx Harri!! This guy is a legend.
@qadgopthemercotan2 жыл бұрын
Ah, Neil. My girlfriend and I (she was 15, I was 16) made out to his stuff a LOT in the early 1970's. Saw him in concert too, back then. She's been my wife for over 4 decades and we still make out to his tunes.
@jbjacobs95142 жыл бұрын
This is the 1980 remake of The Jazz Singer. Lord Laurence Olivier plays Neil Diamond's dad; Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz) plays his new girlfriend; in the row behind them is Neil Diamond's friend Franklin Ajaye, a wonderful actor who never really got his due! It is a guilty pleasure movie of mine and the soundtrack is out of this world!
@lilycat16945 ай бұрын
Followed him since the 70’s and fortunate to have seen him in concert 10 times since 1980. One of the best! Watched Jazz Singer over and over….. Big Neil Diamond fan.
@alfamily586 Жыл бұрын
I saw Neil Diamond 4 times. He did this song live and it was actually better live. He is a great singer, song writer and entertainer. Choose any of his songs, they are all great.
@johndalley12882 жыл бұрын
Oh man one of his best songs. I try to listen to it every 4th of July. It just seems fitting for that day.
@suzanneprock72862 жыл бұрын
You can't go wrong with Neil Diamond and you should check out the movie "The Jazz Singer" as well, Harri! If you grew up with Neil Diamond's music, you would understand his legend. You have to see the movie to understand who the older gentlemen and young woman is.
@sallybannister62242 жыл бұрын
This clip was from the jazz singer
@clintperry7995 ай бұрын
Totally awesome !
@vintagebrew10572 жыл бұрын
The serious gentleman in the audience is our very own Sir Laurence Olivier. He plays the father/cantor who disaproves of his son bring a rock star. Its a good story. I love the song in it called "Songs of Life" . Thanks Hari.
@barbarabisson2551 Жыл бұрын
Right on! From the Jazz Singer. Cantor turned entertainer.
@dagmar.69542 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite singer songwriters spanning many decades. I had so many of his records. He had tons of hit songs. "Cherry, Cherry", "Kentucky Woman", "Red Red Wine", "Solitary Man", "Forever In Blue Jeans", "Shiloh", "Beautiful Noise", "Holly Holy", "Cracklin' Rosie", "Song Sung Blue", "Longfellow Serenade", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". One of my favorites is "I Am, I Said" which is almost an autobiography of his life & fame. He wrote the song "I'm A Believer" which became a big hit for the Monkees in 1966. I was privileged to see him in concert twice. He was a great showman & his live performances were memorable.
@CharlesGates-v6n4 ай бұрын
This is simply as good as it gets…
@davidvornsand9551 Жыл бұрын
The lady is Lucy Arnez daughter of Lucy and Desi!
@turnerdan532 жыл бұрын
This is the 3rd version of The Jazz Singer. I think Neil is 1st generation Jewish American and as his parents came from Europe during stormy times This song would have a special place in their heart. So I think Neil wrote this song for his parents.
@joelliebler56902 жыл бұрын
No doubt you are right!👍🏻☮️
@jimreilly9172 жыл бұрын
He wrote it for his grandmother Rose, who immigrated from Kiev at 13. His song Crackling Rose is for her too. He may have loved his grandma😎
@joelliebler56902 жыл бұрын
@@jimreilly917 My Grandma left Poland in 1906 at 16 to escape to America. I understand what his bubba must have gone through to survive and start over.
@jimreilly9172 жыл бұрын
@@joelliebler5690 yup…my grandparents all left Ireland in the mid 1920s.
@LandisLL Жыл бұрын
Cracklin Rose was a brand of cheap wine that the first Peoples in Canada would drink to get very drunk when they had no date. The whole song is a love song to cheap wine.
@rosacerda4275 Жыл бұрын
¡¡ NEIL DIAMOND EN TODO SU ESPLENDOR,TANTO FISICO ,COMO GRAN INTEPRETE Y COMPOSITOR.!!!
@Wolverines772 жыл бұрын
So many of my contemporaries were on the "Proud to be American" by Lee Greenwood kick when I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1986. Not me. This song personfies what the United States of America was envisioned to be.
@roseblake5803 Жыл бұрын
Good for you. I absolutely can’t stand Proud to be an American 🇺🇸
@shannonwittman950 Жыл бұрын
One of the greatest joys of my American life is to look around and see how wonderfully diverse our people are today; many of whom came here to find refuge from global religious/political persecution. And how folks today look for the good in each good person instead of at their race -- and how today we suffer yet survive the verbal and often riotous abuses begat from anti-freedom and partisan rhetoric. Long may our stars and stripes fly for all our good citizens and their children and their children's children.
@v.downes96082 жыл бұрын
Happy Birthday America, the best place on earth.
@idalily38102 жыл бұрын
Everyone should love their country, with all its faults. I feel sorry for those who don't love their country. It's a true gift to come from a country you can be proud of.
@roberthudson19592 жыл бұрын
This song obviously became a staple of Diamond's set list, and there is a clip of a live Diamond performance in which he explains how personal it is to him.
@jimallison61252 жыл бұрын
Thanks Harry for reacting to this song on such a special day for all Americans. Happy 4th everyone.
@edithdavis28482 жыл бұрын
Great singer great song. Love all his songs. Great voice. This is from the movie The Jazz Singer
@johnlong9534Күн бұрын
I still get chills down my neck when this starts.
@anamariaminisale4 ай бұрын
Sus canciones hacen reflexionar mucho es único ❤
@joemachine4714 Жыл бұрын
This movie was Neil's "8 Mile" or "Purple Rain". The actress in the audience is actually the daughter of Lucielle Ball and Ricky Arnaz who had one of the earliest TV sitcoms "I Love Lucy".
@lindawoltz60582 жыл бұрын
The two people in the audience portray Diamond’s Jewish father and second wife in the movie. In real life, Diamond wrote the song honoring his immigrant grandparents. One of the best songs ever!
@325diane2 жыл бұрын
That older man in the audience is the actor who plays Neil Diamond's father in this movie. The actor's name is Sir Laurence Olivier.
@Bill_H2 жыл бұрын
The father, in the audience, was Sir Lawrence Olivier, and the wife was Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucillle Ball. You should watch the film, The Jazz Singer. Loosely based on Al Jolson, who was known as the Jazz Singer in the 20s. I do a lot of Neil Diamond covers in my shows.
@marfa18612 жыл бұрын
The old man is actually Sir Lawrence Olivier, playing Neil's father , in Neil's version of TheJazz Singer. The younger lady beside of him is Lucie Arnaz (Lucille Ball's daughter in real life), she plays Neil's love interest in the film. In the movie, Neil's father is a Jewish Cantor and he wants his son to be one, too. But he has 'other ideas' than being a cantor. This is him showing his father what he would like to do instead.
@becksullivan4796 Жыл бұрын
Neil really knew how to put on a show. Everything from simple songs with a guitar to an orchestra. A true professional, a poet, a singer. Just great.
@alisvolatpropriis4898 Жыл бұрын
Bless you, Harri. I only comment very rarely but you are such a lovely and sensitive young man so I will tell you why my late parents came to America. They were both Holocaust survivors whose entire immediate and extended families were murdered by the Nazis-63 innocent men, women, children, and even tiny babies who weren’t considered “human” only because of their religion. I look very white and I know it (only my hairdresser knows for sure) but I can absolutely never forget my history and it grieves me terribly whenever I hear some of my neighbours say the most revolting things about immigrants. We must all band together to fight this scourge of hatred. Peace out! ❤️
@susansapp61368 ай бұрын
America wouldn't be without immigrants (from everywhere). I don't think anyone these days should forget that, but the immigration absolutely must be by way of our laws and no one else's. This was a grand place, with a diamond thought and base, but when it is invaded, the wrong thought will come with it and it isn't freedom. That is what we ABSOLUTELY must protect .... the freedom. It comes with work and determination to continue freedom alone.
@barbsmith54652 жыл бұрын
Thankyou for this. It's our Independence Day 🇺🇲🇺🇲
@leahmollytheblindcatnordee358628 күн бұрын
Neil Diamond said it well and he knew it because all of his grandparents immigrated to the US. Two from Poland and two from Russia. He wrote most of his songs and that was one of them.
@eyotachenoa31322 жыл бұрын
One of Neil Diamond's last concerts. He is one of the greatest! Love his work! My be old but still writing new songs. Just can't perform. Parkinson's!
@EduardoGarcia-jm6mx5 ай бұрын
The Jazz Singer is the movie this song was featured, the old man was his father, who did not approve of him singing in this fashion as opposed to being a choir singer at a Jewish church. Over the performance, the father realizes his son was touching far more people in this manner than the traditional way
@marenehanson55262 жыл бұрын
Saw several concerts. Dynamite. So much fun.
@marybaillie89072 жыл бұрын
Neil Diamond is so recognizable.Love the accompanying orchestra especially the drums. This is a beautiful song for today. Happy July 4th to our American friends. 👍✌️🇨🇦 🇺🇸. Thanks Harri. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦.
@rhondadananay21062 жыл бұрын
I pan the Jazz Singer movie,the elder man,Sir Lawrence Olivier played Neil’s father who is a strict Jewish cantor. The girl is Lucie Arnaz who played his love interest who encouraged him to persue his dreams!
@danieledmiston36542 жыл бұрын
Yes, this is from the movie, "The Jazz Singer." You are spot on.
@John_Locke_1082 жыл бұрын
When the pilgrims arrived in Plymouth Rock they had this song blasting from the speakers of the Mayflower.
@sonia46412 жыл бұрын
Made me laugh out loud! Thanks!
@John_Locke_1082 жыл бұрын
@@sonia4641 I made myself laugh, too when I pictured the Mayflower with giant speakers like something out of Fury Road.
@maryhuhnke84962 жыл бұрын
That was Sir Lawrence Olivia!!💜🇺🇸🇺🇸
@sharontesta65662 жыл бұрын
Happy Independence Day Harri,a good selection for it for sure
@joelliebler56902 жыл бұрын
Great and meaningful tune for so many immigrants including my grandmother.
@charlesdavis7461 Жыл бұрын
I saw that Harri and she was smiling, looked right at the man an was stunned he didn't turn his head. God Bless you for this Neil Diamond.
@charlizeham1 Жыл бұрын
Go watch the movie, then you will understand this part.
@IllumeEltanin2 жыл бұрын
Interesting you say it seems Neil's singing as if he's giving a sermon. His wardrobe in this scene is very much meant to bring to mind the Jewish fringed prayer shawl known as a tallis to those in the know.
@danualbocock1593 Жыл бұрын
All people should be just as proud of there country. Peace to the world.
@mikelamb8287 ай бұрын
Yes Harri, it is a modern re-make of the first "talkie" "The Jazz Singer" with Al Jolsen. Neil wrote and arranged all the music for this and "personally" asked Laurence Olivier to play his father. Sadly Neil is suffering from Parkinson's now...another voice gone that will not be replaced
@oldermusiclover2 жыл бұрын
had a friend who told me that the plane he was on coming back home from Nam was playing this song and the guys would stand up and shout America
@rhondadananay21062 жыл бұрын
The Story of My Life,Pretty Amazing Grace,Beautiful Noise,Forever in Bluejeans,Love on the Rocks,Red,Red Wine! Soooo many more!
@shannonbennett9872 жыл бұрын
This movie was very good.
@bettyb1313 Жыл бұрын
My grandmother use to bless herself when this came on the radio
@ethan-scott2 жыл бұрын
A man who remembers the true spirit of America: a place that WELCOMES all peoples of the world who seek refuge and freedom. That’s what makes us so strong. I long for a day when we embrace that spirit again.
@Festvangelist Жыл бұрын
From Neil Diamonds autobiographical movie “The Jazz Singer” 1980. The man in the audience is his father a devote religious Jewish immigrant who never wanted him to leave the church and Brooklyn NY. According to the movie this was the first time he saw his son perform as he sat next to his Daughter in Law, Neil’s wife.
@blueyedkansan2 жыл бұрын
Hello Harri, Thanks again for this reaction to my suggestion. You are without a doubt the best at doing this. I just returned from vacation to Mt Rushmore on the 4th and am so encouraged. Saw so many families with children, people from all over the world, and all there to see the carving which represents the best of this country. Hope you can do my other suggestion this month. Next month we will go back to a deep dive into some of the history of music that brings us all together. Take care to you all the besties.
@mikecaetano2 жыл бұрын
"America" was the theme song to the 1980 film The Jazz Singer, starring Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier, and Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz). The song was one of three U.S. top ten hits from the soundtrack to that film. I suspect the song and the film inspired the 1988 Eddie Murphy film Coming to America.
@katiebarbeau75632 жыл бұрын
My mom loved that movie so much we had it on vhs and dvd lol
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
Wake-up call: Coming to America was like Crocodile Dundee, Tarzan and KING KONG before it...MOCKERY. "Amazing" how the only TWO positive stories about African countries involve PHONY countries: Zamunda and WAKANDA
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
How many MCU FANS thought during Black Panther..."That is the first time Shuri has seen T'Chala since their FATHER was killed, so why are they joking and she's giving him THE FINGER?" The King is dead...F*CK the new King!
@SheilaRough10 ай бұрын
My parents were staying in hotel in Atlantic City where Neil was performing. Mom snuck into his concert just as Neil started singing America. She always said that hearing on the radio or on one of his albums is nothing like hearing it live.
@belkyhernandez8281 Жыл бұрын
What ever country you love is the greatest country in the world.
@greggordon10152 жыл бұрын
The Jazz Singer starring Neil Diamond was a modernized remake of the historic 1927 film of the same name starring hugely popular American (Jewish) singer Al Jolson -- it was the world's first movie "talkie." :)
@williamdunphe-bh2pu Жыл бұрын
He is a great performer I've seen him in concert countless times check out hot summer nights album from the 1970s wild bill
@johnkochen7264 Жыл бұрын
When you listen to more of his work you will discover one central theme in his writing and that is “dreams”. It is especially prevalent in Jonathan Livingston Seagull but in much of his other stuff too.
@markbryant59652 жыл бұрын
The lady is Lucie Arnaz - daughter of Lucille Ball, the famous comedienne. The old man deep in thought is the late great actor Lawrence Olivier. This is from the 1980 musical film "The Jazz Singer." Olivier in his role wanted Diamond to pursue traditional Jewish things while Diamond wanted to pursue a career in music. Olivier did not want to come to the show and really was there only because his daughter kind of "dragged him" there. As you can see, he slowly warmed up to his son's singing.
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
Who cares dude?
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
You ramble about ACTORS and type "Late great"...SLAVE
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
12 likes in one hour from other SLAVES
@versetripn66312 жыл бұрын
No one that you name ever lifted a finger for you, yet their names and actions are ETCHED in your brain. Those out there of ALL colors and creeds have given ALL in OUR names, yet SLAVES neither know nor CARE who they are and what they've done.
@angier57752 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info!
@anamariaminisale4 ай бұрын
Nail espectacular en todo los músicos sonn excelentes .
@phyllisness9270 Жыл бұрын
"The Jazz Singer" was the very first talking movie. It starred Al Jolson. Al was also Jewish and ran away to sing. His father was a Cantor. So the movie was pretty much about Al Jolson's life. This Neil Diamond movie is in a more modern setting and I think Neil Diamond was drawn to this movie just like Jolson was because of the similar lives. I like this song, but Neil has a lot of good songs!!
@micjoseph625011 ай бұрын
That man and woma you see the camera pause on is Neil's parents, they look blown away as they look around at the audience.
@kimberley1449 Жыл бұрын
He now battles dementia and can't preform anymore. Such a beautiful voice 😍
@pamnicklas55362 жыл бұрын
I had several opportunities to see Neil Diamond back in early 1980's...but back then only "old ladies" went to see him. I really regret I never saw him back in his prime.
@l.t.61802 жыл бұрын
Neil's audience was never solely composed of old ladies. I was 24 when I first saw Neil in concert, at Earl's Court in London, and remember being there with lots of other young people. But I do understand his attraction for (old) ladies. I hope you saw him in concert, in his prime (or not, although he remained a fantastic perfomer until his last concerts in 2017).
@bjspeck4337 Жыл бұрын
This was a scene from the Jazz Singer. I love this song. I love that immigrants carry with them the American dream. They may not be able to get a job because they don't speak the language yet, but they start businesses and restaurants, do whatever it takes to get a stake to start your dreams so they work as maids, mechanics, etc. Most of us here worry about getting a job but give up the dream. Immigrants refresh us.
@richardfox1605 Жыл бұрын
This song is from the soundtrack to The Jazz Singer staring Niel Diamond in the role originally played by Al Jolson in the 1929 film of the same name. Interestingly the female lead is played by Luci Arnaz.
@Ozzcaddy2 жыл бұрын
As you saw at the end, the video was from The Jazz Singer. This was a modern version of the original movie The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. In this movie 'the old man' played by Laurence Olivia, is Neil Diamonds father who is high up in the Jewish synagogue. The girl beside the 'old man' is Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Harry, you should watch the movie, as there are many of Neil Diamonds songs in the movie.
@Pauba19462 жыл бұрын
A Neil Diamond classic
@lisacaringello21382 жыл бұрын
"The Jazz Singer was a great movie about this.
@captainmoretokin21722 жыл бұрын
the Jazz singer, thats a good movie.
@bron.plknghrne7896 Жыл бұрын
Updated version of the old Jazz Singer, the girl in it is Lucy Arnez is the daughter of Lucielle Balls and Desi Arnez
@allanlangdon72376 ай бұрын
I was a drummer/singer in a Classic Rock band back after 9/11. We started playing this song at that time. Turned even the sour-est of bar patron into a smiling, dancing Patriot :-)
@KC-bv9kf2 жыл бұрын
Yup, The Jazz Singer
@normaedietrich9410 Жыл бұрын
In his live performances, he thanks his grandmother for bringing his mother to this country. For which the song is a tribute to her journey.
@barbaraz16182 жыл бұрын
I love all Mr. Diamond’s songs but this is truly my favorite. His voice is like no other. Thanks for playing it.
@garyarnett12202 жыл бұрын
Wonderful song and movie.
@edwardhammond116610 ай бұрын
That was Neil Diamond's Father - an immigrant to America.
@deborahkessel4892 жыл бұрын
love this song
@mariannegoldweber15772 жыл бұрын
This a great movie..the jazz singer... Lucille Ball's daughter plays the love interest to to Neil diamond
@dsusan172 жыл бұрын
What a great production! Thank you Harri!
@stephenbaker1362 Жыл бұрын
SIr Lawrence Olivia played his Father in the Movie. The woman is Neil's character's wife, Lucille Ball's daughter- Lucy Arnaz. I have seen him in concert several times over the years. He is as good live as recorded.