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.
Crunchy Granola Suite
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the tune can be sung, and the words all rhyme
Deede-ee deet deet deet deet deet deet deedle dee dee
Though it don't say much, and it won't offend
If you sang it at school, they're liable to send you home
Never knowin' what you're showin'
Think you're growin' your own tea
Let me hear that, let me near that
Crunchy granola suite
Drop your shrink, and stop your drinkin'
Crunchy granola's neat
Sing it out
Alright
Da da da da
Da da da da da
Dee dee dee dumb
I know a man was outta touch
And he'd hide in a house and he didn't say much
Deedle-dee deet deet deet deet deet deet deedle dee doo
And like a man with a tiger outside his gate
He not only couldn't relax, but he couldn't relate
Now he can
Family man
Tried my brand
Dig
Let me hear that, let me near that
Crunchy granola suite
Drop your shrink, and stop your drinkin'
Crunchy granola's neat
Sing it out
Alright
Da da da da
Da da da da da
Dee dee dee do
Deedle-ee dumb dumb
I'll have a double please
The lyrics to Neil Diamond's "Crunchy Granola Suite" depict the singer's appreciation for the simple things in life, as well as his disdain for consumerist culture and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The singer notes that the tune of his song is easy to sing and the words rhyme, but this doesn't mean that the song lacks depth or meaning. The song carries a message about the importance of being true to oneself and not allowing external forces to dictate one's actions or attitudes.
The opening lines of the song suggest that the singer came up with the tune while thinking about it for a while. He notes that although the song doesn't say much and won't offend anyone, it's the kind of song that could get him sent home from school if he sang it there. This is perhaps a comment on the restrictions placed on creative expression in certain settings, as well as the fear of being judged or ostracized for deviating from the norm.
Later in the song, the singer tells the story of a man who was out of touch and isolated himself from the world. But eventually, he was able to connect with others and become a "family man." This suggests that the song is about the possibility of personal growth and change, even for those who feel lost or disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
I got a song been on my mind
There's a song that I've been thinking about a lot lately
And the tune can be sung, and the words all rhyme
It's a catchy song, easy to sing along to because the words all fit together nicely
Deede-ee deet deet deet deet deet deet deedle dee dee
I'm humming the tune to myself right now
Though it don't say much, and it won't offend
The lyrics aren't particularly meaningful or controversial in any way
If you sang it at school, they're liable to send you home
Even though it's not offensive, it's still not the kind of thing you'd want to sing at school because it's distracting
Never knowin' what you're showin'
People might not understand what kind of message you're trying to send with this song
Think you're growin' your own tea
Some people might even think you're promoting drug use with lines like this
Good Lord
Wow, this song is really out there!
Let me hear that, let me near that
I want to listen to this song and hear what it's all about
Crunchy granola suite
The song is called Crunchy Granola Suite, which is a fun and unexpected name
Drop your shrink, and stop your drinkin'
The song seems to be promoting a more natural and holistic way of living, perhaps without relying on therapy or alcohol
Crunchy granola's neat
The singer really likes crunchy granola, apparently
Sing it out
Let's all sing this catchy song together!
Alright
Sounds like a plan, let's do it
Da da da da
This is the part where we don't really know the words, but we can still sing along
Da da da da da
Yep, still don't know the words
Dee dee dee dumb
But we can still hum along and enjoy the music
I know a man was outta touch
Now the song is telling a story about a man who had some issues
And he'd hide in a house and he didn't say much
This man was very secretive and didn't like socializing with people
Deedle-dee deet deet deet deet deet deet deedle dee doo
Once again, the catchy tune keeps going in the background
And like a man with a tiger outside his gate
The singer is comparing this man to someone who is always on edge, like they have a wild animal outside their home
He not only couldn't relax, but he couldn't relate
This man had a hard time connecting with others because of his issues
Now he can
But something has changed, and he's now able to relate and be more social
Family man
In fact, he's now a family man - he's settled down and has a family of his own
Tried my brand
Maybe the singer helped him get over his issues with the power of his music
Dig
Or maybe the singer is just really happy for him and wants to celebrate his progress
Deedle-ee dumb dumb
And of course, the song's catchy tune keeps going
I'll have a double please
Sounds like someone is ordering a drink at a bar, maybe to celebrate the happy ending of the story in the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@krisfujimoto72
Neil Diamond's work will be forever enduring and will live on forever.
@dmh92577
His Broadway musical is really good too
@thebigdividendhunter4633
Still, after 50 years the best piece of music ever, no lasers, no light show, no pyrotechnics, no dancing choreography, just talent from everyone there playing and doing the music celebrating life!!!!
@richardansley
Amazing performer and song writer. What an opener to his show. Good Lord! 😀
@guardianangel138
this song on the original hot august night at the greek on august 24, 1972. first time i ever heard this song blew me away. unreal. i was 6 years old and was immediately hooked on neil diamond. what a song...
@GirlFriday68
Hot August Night.. what an amazing concert
@Scurvy_dog_arr
This and Crackling Rosie used to send both my daughters bouncing around the room when they were toddlers.
Thanks for the songs Neil, and the beautiful memories.
@user-hm5zb1qn6g
Same here. Grade 6 class. Thank you, Mrs. Whelan. Hooked for life.
@rogerfreed6414
That one was more powerful than this one is!
@Sandra-ij9fk
Thank you I needed this today 8-24 ❤