Neil Diamond – “Solitary Man” Live

Neil Diamond Proves That He Still Has It In This Live Performance

After its release on April 4, 1966; “Solitary Man” became a major success. It has also covered by other artists including Cliff Richard, Johnny Cash, Billy Joe Royal, Chris Isaak, and Johnny Rivers just to name a few. This song was not only written beautifully by Neil Diamond himself but he also sang it with a wonderful melody. There were many speculations about the meaning of the lyrics but Neil shed light as to who it was about.

In a 2005 Times Online interview, Diamond said: “After four years of Freudian analysis I realized I had written ‘Solitary Man’ about myself.”

• Number 2 in the Finland Singles
• Number 9 in the UK Singles Chart
• Number 17 in the Germany Singles
• Number 40 in the Switzerland Singles
• Number 45 in the Austria Singles

Neil recorded two versions of this track and in one of his live albums, he even changed some of the lyrics. He has also received praises from critics that further proved how much of a timeless classic this song is.

In a 2005 Rolling Stone retrospective, Dan Epstein wrote, “‘Solitary Man‘ remains the most brilliantly efficient song in the Diamond collection. There’s not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he’s repeatedly returned to throughout his career.”

LYRICS

Melinda was mine
‘Til the time that I found her
Holding Jim, loving him
Then Sue came along, loved me strong
That’s what I thought
Me and Sue, but that died too

Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man, solitary man

I’ve had it to here
Bein’ where love’s a small word
Part-time thing, paper ring
I know it’s been done
Havin’ one girl who’ll love me
Right or wrong, weak or strong

Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man, solitary man
(instrumental)
Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man