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Song Sung Blue

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Song Sung Blue"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album Moods
B-side"Gitchy Goomy"
ReleasedMay 1972
GenrePop[1]
Length3:15
LabelUni
SongwriterNeil Diamond
ProducerTom Catalano
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Crunchy Granola Suite"
(1971)		 "Song Sung Blue"
(1972)		 "Play Me"
(1972)
Background singers: Sally Stevens, Susie Stevens, Alison Freebairn-Smith and Jennifer Hicklin

"Song Sung Blue" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. Initially released as a single from Diamond's 1972 album Moods, the song later appeared on many of his live and compilation albums. The song hit the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in July, and spent twelve weeks in the top 40. On the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at No. 14.[2]

History

[edit]

"Song Sung Blue" was Diamond's second No. 1 hit in the U.S., after 1970's "Cracklin' Rosie", and to date his last solo No. 1 song (he had a No. 1 duet with Barbra Streisand in 1978, with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers").[3] In addition, "Song Sung Blue" spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[4] The song has become one of Diamond's standards, and he often performs it during concerts.

"Song Sung Blue" was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1973, for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.[4] Both awards that year were won by Roberta Flack's rendition of Ewan MacColl's song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".

Cash Box said of it that "the song gives the phrase 'Everybody, sing!' new meaning."[5] Record World said that it has "simply some of the best and most commercial soft sounds on the contemporary scene."[6]

Diamond described "Song Sung Blue" in the liner notes to his 1996 compilation album, In My Lifetime, as a "very basic message, unadorned. I didn't even write a bridge to it. I never expected anyone to react to "Song Sung Blue" the way they did. I just like it, the message and the way a few words said so many things."[4]

Later uses

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The song inspired the title of a 2008 documentary about a Neil Diamond tribute performer who was married to a Patsy Cline tribute performer. The documentary was in turn adapted into a 2025 feature film of the same name, directed by Craig Brewer and starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.[7]

Chart history

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[27] Gold 15,000‡
United States (RIAA)[28] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

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Andy Williams released a version in 1972 on his album Alone Again (Naturally).

Hot Butter released a version in 1972 on their album Hot Butter.

Johnny Paycheck released a version in 1972 on his album Somebody Loves Me.

Sacha Distel recorded the song in French as "Chanson Bleue".

British new wave band Altered Images released a version in 1982 on the album Pinky Blue.

Bobby Darin performed the song in 1972 during his summer television show, and his version was included on the 2004 album Aces Back to Back.

Frank Sinatra also recorded a version on his Trilogy album (1980).

The Nolan Sisters recorded a version which is on their 1978 20 Giant Hits album.

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 1, 2019). "The Number Ones: Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 17, 2023. Diamond based the "Song Sung Blue" vocal melody on the second movement of a Mozart concerto, and the melody, it turns out, translates just fine to pop music.
  2. 1 2 "song sung blue | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  3. ↑ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of #1 Hits, 5th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 314.
  4. 1 2 3 Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 108.
  5. ↑ "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. April 29, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
  6. ↑ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. April 29, 1972. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  7. ↑ Rooney, David (October 26, 2025). "'Song Sung Blue' Review: Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson Bring Sparkling Chemistry and Impressive Musicality to Disarming Boomer Love Story". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
  8. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  9. ↑ "Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1972-07-08. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  12. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 1972. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  13. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Song Sung Blue | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=3692#n_view_location search Listener
  17. ↑ "Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue". VG-lista. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  18. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  19. ↑ "Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  20. ↑ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 7/01/72". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "RPM's Top 100 Singles of '72". RPM. January 13, 1973. p. 20.
  24. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1972 - Singles". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  25. ↑ "Top 100 Hits of 1972/Top 100 Songs of 1972". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  26. ↑ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1972". Tropicalglen.com. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  27. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue". Radioscope. Retrieved March 27, 2026. Type Song Sung Blue in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  28. ↑ "American single certifications – Neil Diamond – Song Sung Blue". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
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