Introduction to a Legendary Musician
Neil Diamond is celebrating his 85th birthday, and although he has retired from the stage, his music remains more present than ever. Few songwriters have created as many distinctive tunes as Diamond, with melodies that have a permanent place in the collective memory. His songs, such as "Sweet Caroline", "Cracklin’ Rosie", "I’m a Believer", "I Am… I Said", and "Song Sung Blue", can be heard at weddings, stadiums, on radio stations, road trips, family gatherings, and in cinemas.
Memorable Hits for The Monkees, Cliff Richard, and Elvis
Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941 to Jewish immigrants. At the age of 16, he was given a guitar, which laid the foundation for his future career. He attended school with Barbra Streisand, and the two sang in the school choir and later performed a duet on the soulful song "You Don’t Bring Me Flowers", which became a worldwide hit.
Diamond wanted to study medicine, but ultimately, songwriting was more important to him. He believed in his talent for melodies and lyrics, jotting down ideas as they came to him, and eventually got a job as a songwriter for other artists. His first success was "I’m a Believer", which he wrote for The Monkees. He had other hits with songs like "Cherry, Cherry" and "Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon". Soon, big names like Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, and Frank Sinatra were playing his songs.
Rise to Fame and Retirement
In the 1970s, Neil Diamond rose to become one of the biggest live acts of his time, filling halls and arenas around the globe with his catchy melodies and sonorous voice. After a career spanning almost 50 years, he retired from the stage in 2018 due to health reasons. The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease ended his touring, but he continued to produce songs. In October 2025, he sang "Sweet Caroline" at an awards ceremony in Denver, where he was honored for his life’s work.
A Love Letter to Diamond’s Music
The new feature film "Song Sung Blue" tells the story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a couple from Milwaukee who form a small Neil Diamond tribute band. The couple, played by actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, try to overcome personal crises by performing in bars and small clubs. Diamond’s music provides the film’s emotional language, driving the story of passion, failure, and new beginnings. The fact that these songs continue to inspire people decades after their release shows that Diamond’s work has become part of a collective archive, accessible, adaptable, and open to new interpretations.
"Sweet Caroline’s" Viral Resurgence
"Sweet Caroline", Diamond’s biggest hit, is enjoying a global revival, not for the first time. Austrian entertainer and party pop singer DJ Ötzi re-released the song in 2009, bringing it to beer tents, après-ski bars, and nightclubs. The hit has been an integral part of sports culture for years, with fans celebrating athletes with this song. Social media platforms like TikTok have turned it into a global ritual, with fans filming themselves singing it, teams using it to celebrate victories, and families using it for humorous reels. In turbulent times, the song represents a touch of pop optimism, warm, stirring, and instantly connecting. With each new viral wave, younger users discover Neil Diamond for the first time, while older listeners celebrate nostalgia.
Timeless Classics
The film "Song Sung Blue" also plays a part in this resurgence, with "Sweet Caroline" becoming the secret anthem of the film. Neil Diamond’s hits aren’t just nice, well-known oldies; they are timeless classics that are popular with young and old. They are melodies without durability, as one of his song titles says – "A Beautiful Noise".
