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.
A Modern Day Version of Love
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Echoing through painted smiles
And I knew each morning after
I never loved, was never touched
Gave not at all, got back as much
In the comfort of
A modern day version of love
Of lips that ask so much of me
Still I wonder with every embrace
Could I give, and not break
Should I care, and forsake
All the comfort of
A modern day version of love
Close my eyes and keep on runnin'
Realize it isn't gonna work anymore
For me, yeah
I'm afraid, well maybe that's somethin'
Never cared enough to be afraid of anything
Before, not before
Barefoot child on streets of cinder
Sleeping child, the morning calls
Pray for spring but face the winter
Take the hand, taste the kiss
Leave behind the emptiness
And the comfort of a modern day version of love
In "A Modern Day Version of Love," Neil Diamond sings about the emptiness of modern love. The night was filled with laughter and painted smiles, but he knew that after each morning he was never truly loved nor touched. He realizes that he has given nothing and received just as little--all in the comfort of a modern version of love, one without emotion or depth. He finds himself wondering if he could give himself without breaking, if he should care and forsake the comfort of what he has known as love. Ultimately, he chooses to leave behind the emptiness of modern love and try to find something more meaningful.
The lyrics exemplify the feeling that many people have in this modern era--society has taken love and turned it into something shallow and unfulfilling. The constant search for instant gratification has left us without real connections or deeper understanding of those around us. Diamond captures this feeling and the desperation to find a real connection with someone. He speaks to the idea that we should leave behind what we know and reach for something more, even if that means leaving our comfort zone.
Line by Line Meaning
And the night was filled with laughter
The night was full of joy and happiness
Echoing through painted smiles
The happy atmosphere was conveyed through fake, insincere smiles
And I knew each morning after
The morning after, the person realized that they had not truly loved anyone
I never loved, was never touched
The person had never truly loved or been loved by someone else
Gave not at all, got back as much
The person had not given anything in relationships and had received little in return
In the co-o-omfort of
The person had found comfort in
A modern day version of lo-o-ove
A shallow, superficial type of love
Truly, how I've cursed the sweet taste
The person regrets the allure of romantic love
Of lips that ask so-o much of me
The demands and expectations of romantic partners are overwhelming
Still I wonder with every embrace
Despite their reservations, the person still longs for intimacy
Could I give, and not break
The person questions if they are capable of giving and receiving love without being hurt
Should I care, and forsake
The person wonders if they should allow themselves to care for someone and risk losing their shallow comfort
All the co-o-omfort of
The comfort found in
A modern day version of lo-o-ove
A shallow, superficial type of love
Close my eyes and keep on runnin'
The person avoids facing their feelings and runs away from potential relationships
Realise it isn't gonna work anymor-ore
The person accepts that their avoidance is not sustainable and will not lead to fulfilling relationships
For me, yeah-eah
For the person
I'm afraid, well maybe that's somethin'
The person acknowledges their fear of vulnerability and emotional connection
Never cared enough to be afraid of anything
Before experiencing romantic love, the person had never been afraid of anything
Before, not before ...
Before experiencing romantic love, the person had not been afraid of anything
Baffled child on streets of sinner
The person feels lost and confused in a world full of sin and temptation
Sleeping child, a morning call
The person sees innocence in a sleeping child, but knows that eventually they will also be corrupted by society
Playful spring, look face the winter
The person compares the fleeting joy of spring to the harsh, barren winter ahead
Take thy hand, taste the kiss
The person desires physical intimacy
Leave behind, emptiness
The person hopes that a relationship will fill the emptiness they feel
And the co-o-omfort of
The comfort found in
A modern day version of lo-o-ove
A shallow, superficial type of love
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karen McDunn
WOW! THIS SONG!! THIS PERFORMANCE!!! Anyone else got goosebumps?!! I am in awe, Mr Diamond! BRILLIANT!!!
Mark S
Just his guitar and his voice. Sounds great!
Viv Higgins
And him haha a fan,
54nomore
This is one of his greatest ballads I have ever heard. This great singer/songwriter in my opinion is the best of them all!
OiseauLibre
Wow thanks for posting this AMAZING song! The man is simply brilliant!!! Beautiful words, beautiful voice, and Neil is ooooh-sooo-beautiful to look at!
Victoria Chinavare
What a beautiful song by Neil. I have goosebumps first time I heard this song. 🌹♥️
eddied111
Listen to this great voice in this song!!! Listen closely to the deep tone and the golden runs, I do not know of anyone today who has these qualities. I've never heard this song before, it is really stunning. Timeless.
OneHundredMillionStars
Thanks for the upload, this is absolutely beautiful
TheDiamond262
Neil you are a wonderous singer and man, I have loved you, since I was 15. I have to listen to you every day to make me feel happy. listening to you has made my teenage yrs easier....
ana maria marambio
Siempre serás mi chico guapo. Con esta canción , demuestras tu maravillosa voz , tus emociones y sentimientos para cantar . Hoy , en el 2021 , sigues encantando. Te amo por siempre .