Syesha Mercado
“Thank the Lord for the Nighttime”

Neil Diamond often shows off his Jewish soul and none more so on “Thank the Lord for the Nighttime.” With its right-out-of-a gospel choir chorus and finger-snapping backbeat, this is the seminal Diamond song to bring the house down.

Diamond’s stellar songwriting skills are on display on tracks such as this. The ability to transcend genres by bringing out a gospel chorus from the man who started as a Jewish folk singer in New York City is proof in the pudding of Diamond’s brilliance.

Watch Syesha Mercado’s Top 5 performance of Thank the Lord for the Nighttime on American Idol 7.

Here’s a recording of Thank the Lord for the Nighttime off of Neil Diamond’s first live album, “Gold”

Share This

Syesha Mercado
“Hello Again”

Another hit from Diamond’s film “The Jazz Singer,” the song proved to be an emotional turning point in the film as the California based character hits a crossroads. The love song played over a famous beach scene etched in the memory of anyone who saw the film.

To everyone else, “Hello Again” is probably Neil Diamond’s best known love song. It is also one of his biggest selling singles. The song hit number six in the winter of 1981 and set hearts aflutter warming the colder season considerably.

Watch Syesha Mercado’s Top 5 performance of Hello Again on American Idol 7.

Here’s a 1992 television performance by Neil Diamond of Hello Again.

Share This

David Archuleta
“America”

“America” is from Neil’s 1981 film, “The Jazz Singer.” The soundtrack that went five-times-platinum produced a serious of hit singles. The story of a cantor’s son who dreams of the spotlights of the music industry showcased Neil’s talents for acting and produced many of his biggest hits including this patriotic classic.

In the film, Diamond performs the track live as his disapproving father sits in the audience only to be impressed by the response his son generates from 20,000 screaming fans. It is a chilling cinematic moment.

Also, try attending a fireworks display on July 4 without hearing “America.” It’s not going to happen!

Watch David Archuleta’s Top 5 performance of America on American Idol 7.

Here’s a clip of Neil Diamond performing America in The Jazz Singer. (His “dad” looks so PROUD!)

Share This

David Archuleta
“Sweet Caroline”

A seminal Neil Diamond classic, “Sweet Caroline” has become a party anthem with its crowd-inducing “So good! So good! So good!” it’s hard to believe this song is about a Kennedy.

Diamond announced earlier this year that he wrote the song after seeing a photo of teenager Caroline Kennedy riding a horse. Creepy thoughts aside, Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” debuted in 1969 and made its way to number four becoming certified platinum in the process.

Watch David Archuleta’s Top 5 performance of Sweet Caroline on American Idol 7.

Here’s Neil Diamond singing Sweet Caroline live at the Greek Theatre.

Incidentally, I stumbled upon this Elvis Presley cover of Sweet Caroline. Wow, this really does NOT work as an Elvis peformance!

Share This

Brooke White
“I am, I said”

By far the most introspective of Neil Diamond’s songs, “I am, I said” is a song he wrote once settled in Los Angeles missing his home in New York.

While it’s lyrics are somewhat out-of-date to 2008 listeners (please: palm trees grow and the rents are low – whose California is that?!), “I am, I said” captured the attention of a nation in 1971 - going all the way to number four on the Hot 100.

In Diamond’s version, of course, he substitutes New York for Arizona as Brooke White did, perfectly capturing a man torn “between two shores.” The lyrics for this song are some of Diamond’s best.

“LA’s fine, but it ain’t home, New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more.” For any expatriate of the east, that line captures it right there.

Watch Brooke White’s Top 5 performance of I Am, I Said on American Idol 7.

Here’s Neil Diamond performing this hit live for his Greatest Hits concert.

Share This

Brooke White
“I’m a Believer”

Neil Diamond wrote this song as a struggling folk artist in New York’s Greenwich Village. Trying to pay the rent, Diamond sold it to a TV generated band that turned it into his first true smash hit. The Monkees recorded the track for the incredibly successful ‘60s television program and in many ways, is their signature song.

Although Diamond has not had a hit with the song himself – he’s never tried – during his live shows his performance of the song always brings down the house.

Smashmouth recorded the song for “Shrek” and is often the favorite of children music fans.

Watch Brooke White’s Top 5 performance of I’m a Believer on American Idol 7.

Here are the Monkee’s performing their 1966 hit - fun!!

…and here’s Smashmouth with some Shrek outtakes.

Share This

David Cook
“All I Really Need is You”

Never a single, “All I Really Need is You” arrived on Neil Diamond’s 1992 Gold-selling record “Lovescape.” The song could easily veer into U2 terrority with its haunting refrain, but Diamond’s songwriting never allows that to happen. Through David Cook’s raspy voice, the song could easily become a hit for him.

Watch David Cook’s Top 5 performance of All I Really Need is You on American Idol 7.

Share This

David Cook
“I’m Alive”

From 1983’s “Heartlight,” the song made its way to number 35 before falling off the charts. One of the least known songs of the “American Idol” night, “I’m Alive” was off the “ET” inspired record Diamond called Heartlight because of the alien’s glowing heart.

Neil is inspired by interesting muses.

An exultation of life’s gifts, “I’m Alive” is also a track from the Neil Diamond genre-within-a-genre music of uplifting while bordering on cheesy without managing to cross that line completely.

Watch David Cook’s Top 5 performance of I’m Alive on American Idol 7.

Take a listen to the 1983 studio recording of I’m Alive by Neil Diamond.

Share This