From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Cracklin' Rosie
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We're gonna ride 'til there ain't no more to go
Taking it slow
And Lord, don't you know
I'll have me a time with a poor man's lady
Hitchin' on a twilight train
Ain't nothing here that I care to take along
Maybe a song
To sing when I want
Don't need to say please to no man for a happy tune
Oh, I love my Rosie child
You got the way to make me happy
You and me, we go in style
Cracklin' Rose, you're a store-bought woman
But you make me sing like a guitar hummin'
So hang on to me, girl
Our song keeps runnin' on
Play it now
Play it now, my baby
Cracklin' Rosie, make me smile
Girl, if it lasts for an hour, that's all right
'Cause we got all night
To set the world right
Find us a dream that don't ask no questions, yeah
Oh, I love my Rosie child
You got the way to make me happy
You and me, we go in style
Cracklin' Rose, you're a store-bought woman
But you make me sing like a guitar hummin'
So hang on to me, girl
Our song keeps runnin' on
Play it now
Play it now
Play it now, my baby
Cracklin' Rosie, make me smile
God, if it lasts for an hour, that's all right
'Cause we got all night
To set the world right
Find us a dream that don't ask no questions
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
In "Cracklin' Rosie," Neil Diamond tells the tale of a night spent with his lover, who he refers to as Cracklin' Rosie. The lyrics describe a carefree time while hitching on a twilight train, where the only thing they need is a song to sing. Neil Diamond speaks of how Rosie is a store-bought woman but makes him sing like a guitar hummin'. They are enjoying the present moment, singing and dancing all night with no regard for tomorrow's consequences.
The man in the song is drawn to Rosie, who seems to have a certain charm that simply makes him happy. Her effect on Neil Diamond is strong, and he proclaims his love for her. In his eyes, Cracklin' Rosie is the perfect woman, and they "go in style." The song suggests that he craves a simple life, where he can just enjoy the moment with his beloved Rosie, who makes his world come alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah, Cracklin' Rosie, get on board
Let's go on an adventure, Cracklin' Rosie!
We're gonna ride 'til there ain't no more to go
We'll keep going until we run out of road.
Taking it slow
We'll enjoy the journey without rushing.
And Lord, don't you know
You know what I mean, Lord.
I'll have me a time with a poor man's lady
I'm not interested in high-class women, I want someone down-to-earth.
Hitchin' on a twilight train
We're traveling on a train at dusk.
Ain't nothing here that I care to take along
I don't need any material possessions to be content.
Maybe a song
The only thing I might take is a song to sing.
To sing when I want
So I can sing whenever I feel like it.
Don't need to say please to no man for a happy tune
I don't have to please anyone else to enjoy my music.
Oh, I love my Rosie child
I am really fond of you, Rosie.
You got the way to make me happy
You know just how to make me smile.
You and me, we go in style
Together we make a great team.
Cracklin' Rose, you're a store-bought woman
You may not be natural, but I still love you.
But you make me sing like a guitar hummin'
You inspire me to sing my heart out.
So hang on to me, girl
Stay with me, my love.
Our song keeps runnin' on
Our love will never end.
Play it now
Let's hear some music right now.
Play it now, my baby
My love, play me some music.
Cracklin' Rosie, make me smile
You always bring a smile to my face, Cracklin' Rosie.
Girl, if it lasts for an hour, that's all right
Even if our happiness is temporary, it's still worth it.
'Cause we got all night
We have plenty of time to enjoy each other's company.
To set the world right
We can make the world a better place, just by being together.
Find us a dream that don't ask no questions, yeah
Let's pursue a dream that lets us be ourselves.
Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Instrumental
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Instrumental
Ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba
Instrumental
Ba-ba-ba-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba-ba
Instrumental
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind