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 Medley
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember this one?
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Chickens crow from midnight, it's almost day
Chickens crow from midnight, it's almost day
Candy canes and sugar plums, it's almost day
Candy canes and sugar plums, it's almost day
'Cause Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Now you got it, third verse:
Quit your peepin' 'round the corner, it's almost day
Quit your peepin' 'round the corner, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
That's what I like, now we gonna hang our stockings:
Hang your stockings on the chimney on Christmas day
Hang your stockings on the chimney on Christmas day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Last verse:
I'm singing: Children all get happy on Christmas day
Children all get happy on Christmas day
'Cause Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Hey, this is a little song I contributed myself to this medley:
Make a joyful noise, sing a happy song
Lift up your every voice, let everybody sing along
Second verse now:
Now sing that song of love (that song of love)
Love is all we need (is what we need)
Thanks to the stars above (the stars above)
For every gift that we receive
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy new year
Come on everybody, you know the words, let's sing it together:
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a peaceful new year
Good night everybody,
Be kind to each other, it's all we really have left!
The Neil Diamond Christmas Medley combines classic holiday tunes and Diamond's own contributions to create a joyful and energetic celebration of the season. The final song in the medley, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," is an upbeat and hopeful message to close out the year. Before that, Diamond leads the group through a series of call-and-response verses, including references to Santa Claus, candy canes, and stockings hung by the chimney. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, encouraging everyone to join in and sing along. By the end of the medley, it feels like a festive gathering of friends and family, all brought together by the magic of Christmas.
Line by Line Meaning
Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus will be arriving soon and it's almost morning
Chickens crow from midnight, it's almost day
The roosters are crowing as it's almost morning
Candy canes and sugar plums, it's almost day
Christmas treats like candy canes and sugar plums are present and it's almost morning
'Cause Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming which means it's almost morning
Quit your peepin' 'round the corner, it's almost day
Stop sneaking around and hurry up, it's almost morning
Hang your stockings on the chimney on Christmas day
Hang your stockings by the chimney so Santa Claus can fill them on Christmas day
I'm singing: Children all get happy on Christmas day
Children become happy on Christmas day
'Cause Santa Claus is coming, it's almost day
Santa Claus is coming soon which will make children happy
Make a joyful noise, sing a happy song
Sing and make noise merrily
Lift up your every voice, let everybody sing along
Sing with joy and togetherness
Now sing that song of love (that song of love)
Sing a song about love
Love is all we need (is what we need)
We need love the most
Thanks to the stars above (the stars above)
Thankful for everything we have
For every gift that we receive
Grateful for every gift we receive
We wish you a merry Christmas
Wishing you a festive holiday
And a happy new year
And wishing you a happy new year
And a peaceful new year
And wishing you a peaceful new year
Be kind to each other, it's all we really have left!
Treat each other with kindness since it's one of the most important things we have in life
Writer(s): Alan Powell, Caleb Andrew Grimm, Joey Stamper
Contributed by Cameron K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
ranger fanboy
I could listen to Neil Diamond all dayπΆ
MarΓa R. Infante
Β‘Agradezco al cielo el regalo de sus canciones y su voz, Sr. Diamond! Β‘Cada dΓa! Es Ud. un hombre de un talento sin lΓmites, pero tambiΓ©n con un espΓritu maravilloso. Sus letras, sus melodΓas, la dulzura, pasiΓ³n y sentimiento con que interpreta cada tema llegan al alma. Dios lo cuide y proteja, realmente pienso que es Ud. un "Man of God". π
Sandy Byrne
This is great. I'm going to play it several times a day to get me "in the mood" :) Love you Neil!!!!!!!
Eduardo Meroti
Neil Diamond is wonderful!! I love His songs
Christian Ordonez
We all do
Pat Carter
Love it.It's such a happy tune.Love the man.
Joan Nolan
Thank you Neil, I love this. Love to see you all together again. Love n hugs to you all from Ireland. Have a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving. Love the new album. <3 xxx
Siv Berggren
Beautiful as ALWAYS!!!!
carlee
I heard this on the radio and I LOVE IT
Laurie
Love everything He sings!