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.
Christmas Dream
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somethings coming, ain't it wonderful
Like a miracle, inspiration, jubilation, celebration coming round
This is Christmas said the wise-man
Join me seeker, walk beside me
I will take you to the blind man
He will show you what was lost on Christmas day
He took me through a Christmas dream
Where everything was strange and dear
There's nothing was the way it seemed
Without explaining what it means
As men and women, sons and daughters
Wait like children for their gifts on Christmas day
Christmas dream
I saw me there
Christmas dream
I called my name in my sleep
I looked away, was only thinking of myself
Feel it, can you feel it?
If you want to it can heal you
Like a miracle, inspiration, jubilation celebration going down
This is Christmas said the wise-man
To the sailor lost on dry land
Let me take you to the harbour
Stand beside you and lead you farther on your way
They headed for a Christmas dream
The one that changed it all for me
The one that somehow made me see
That I'd become what I should be
When men and women, sons and daughters
Become children at the break of Christmas day
Christmas dream it comes to me
Christmas dream, when I'm alone
When I'm lost, it brings me home
That Christmas dream awake in me
Christmas dream
Was something that it spoke to me
It told what Christmas had to be
And when I found it I was free
Said men and women,sons and daughters
Are all forgiven when they wake on Christmas day
Christmas dream at Christmas time
Christmas dream I found my way
Came to me and now I pray
That Christmas lives forever
Christmas dream on Christmas day
Christmas dream the whole world gives
I can see because we live
It speaks to me in every way
Christmas dream it fills my mind
It makes me see I came to find
That we can be together
And not forget the Christmas dream
The song "Christmas Dream" by Neil Diamond is filled with holiday spirit and joyful celebration that comes around every Christmas. The lyrics suggest that there is a feeling of magic and inspiration in the air, which can be felt by anyone who opens their heart to it. The wise-man in the song invites the seeker to join him and take a journey through a Christmas dream, where they will see things that are both strange and dear. The seeker is led to a blind man who will show him what was lost on Christmas Day. The song implies that Christmas is a time of forgiveness and understanding, where even those who have strayed from the path can be brought back into the fold.
The lyrics also suggest that Christmas is a time for family and togetherness, where sons and daughters become children once again, waiting for their gifts on Christmas morning. The sailor lost on dry land is also invited on this journey through the Christmas dream, where he will be taken to the harbor and led farther on his way. The song says that the Christmas dream has the power to heal, to bring people together, and to remind us of what is truly important in life. The dream is not just something that happens in our sleep, but a reality that we can live every day if we choose to keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts.
Line by Line Meaning
Feel it, can you feel it?
Do you feel the excitement in the air?
Somethings coming, ain't it wonderful
There's a magical feeling in the air as Christmas approaches.
Like a miracle, inspiration, jubilation, celebration coming round
The anticipation of Christmas brings a sense of awe and joy.
This is Christmas said the wise-man
The holiday season has arrived.
Join me seeker, walk beside me
Come along with me on this journey.
I will take you to the blind man
I will guide you to someone who can help you understand the true meaning of Christmas.
He will show you what was lost on Christmas day
He will reveal what has been forgotten or overlooked about the holiday.
He took me through a Christmas dream
He led me on a journey through the wonders of the holiday season.
Where everything was strange and dear
The holiday activities and traditions felt unusual yet precious.
There's nothing was the way it seemed
Things were not as they appeared, and there was more depth to the holiday than I initially thought.
Without explaining what it means
The true meaning of Christmas cannot be fully articulated with words.
As men and women, sons and daughters
People of all ages and genders,
Wait like children for their gifts on Christmas day
Are excitedly anticipating the presents they will receive on Christmas morning.
I saw me there
I envisioned myself in a Christmas fantasy.
I called my name in my sleep
I heard my name being called in my dream.
I looked away, was only thinking of myself
I was self-absorbed and not fully present in the moment.
If you want to it can heal you
The holiday season has the potential to bring emotional healing.
To the sailor lost on dry land
To those who feel directionless or lost,
Let me take you to the harbour
Allow me to guide you to a safe and comforting place.
Stand beside you and lead you farther on your way
I will support and encourage you as you continue on your journey.
They headed for a Christmas dream
They set out to experience the magic of the holiday season.
The one that changed it all for me
The one that transformed my perception of the holiday.
The one that somehow made me see
The one that allowed me to gain clarity about the true meaning of Christmas.
That I'd become what I should be
That I would become the best version of myself.
Are all forgiven when they wake on Christmas day
People have the capacity for forgiveness during the holiday season.
I found my way
I discovered my path in life.
Came to me and now I pray
The Christmas dream arrived and now I hope for its continued presence.
That Christmas lives forever
Wishing for the holiday season to retain its special place in people's hearts.
The whole world gives
People all around the world give gifts during the holiday season.
It makes me see I came to find
The Christmas dream helped me discover something important about myself.
That we can be together
The holiday season brings people closer together.
And not forget the Christmas dream
People should remember the wonder and magic of the season all year long.
Contributed by Hunter L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.