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.
Happy Christmas
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
And so this is Christmas and what have we done
Another year over, a new one just begun.
And so happy Christmas we hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
Neil Diamond's song "Happy Christmas" is a moving reflection on what the holiday season means to people around the world. The lyrics are poignant and emotive, speaking to feelings of both hope and uncertainty as we look ahead into the new year. Diamond begins with a reflection on the passing of time, suggesting that as one year comes to a close, another begins. This sense of transition is a common theme in his lyrics, and ties into the larger message of the song: to focus on the present and on the people we love.
Throughout the rest of the song, Diamond expands on this theme by highlighting the diversity of those who celebrate Christmas. He speaks to people of all backgrounds and nationalities, urging them to put aside their differences and come together in a spirit of unity and compassion. This is perhaps most apparent in the line, "For the yellow and red ones, let's stop all the fights," which suggests a desire to end the conflict and division that can too often come between us.
Ultimately, the song is a call to action, an invitation to embrace the holiday season not just as a time of celebration, but as a chance to come together and work towards a better future. As Diamond suggests in the final line, "War is over if you want it, war is over now," the power to create positive change lies within each of us.
Line by Line Meaning
So this is Christmas and what have you done,
It's Christmas time again and a time for reflection on what you have been able to accomplish throughout the year.
Another year over, a new one just begun.
A year is coming to an end, and the new year is just beginning. It's a time for reflection and change.
And so this is Christmas, I hope you have fun,
Christmas is a time for joy and celebration, and it is my sincere hope that you will have a wonderful time.
The near and the dear ones, the old and the young.
May you be surrounded by those who are dear to you, regardless of their age.
A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year
I wish you a joyful Christmas and a happy New Year.
Let's hope it's a good one without any fears.
May the coming year bring happiness and peace, free from worries and anxieties.
And so this is Christmas for weak and for strong,
Christmas is a time that applies equally to everyone, regardless of one's strength or weakness.
The rich and the poor ones, the road is so long.
Both rich and poor travel along the same long road of life, bound together by the shared human experience.
And so happy Christmas for black and for white
May everyone, regardless of skin color, have a happy Christmas.
For the yellow and red ones let's stop all the fights.
Let us put aside racial and ethnic differences and come together as fellow humans, putting an end to conflict and division.
War is over if you want it, war is over now.
The end of war is possible if we are willing to work towards it and make it happen. Let us choose peace over violence.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rogercharlesodonnell
Happy Christmas to you Neil xx
@danielschultz7840
My man. My hidden one behind me. Living his music in my life. Thanks Neil.
@di5939
Greetings and love from the netherlands 💎💖💎💖💎💖💎💖💎💖💎💖💎💖💎💖💎
@phillypam
I AM already decorating. Let this BE the Christed Season that ends all war, forever. Blessings to Neil, the Diamonds and ALL. 💎💎💎
@Sleepymamy
Merry Christmas Mr and Mrs Diamond from Luxembourg ❤
@cristiantigse3484
Señor Neil Diamond GRACIAS por tanta buena música..... Mi abuelita le gustaba mucho sus canciones...... Y a mi también...... Saludos desde Ecuador......
@carlosrodrigues4695
Neil doesn't need comments. GOATS are GOATS.
@FranciscoCanchola-
Beautiful Champion 🥳🥳🥳 as you know 👏👏👏 🤗 👍💐
@adrianlees3949
There’s nothing he can’t do it’s so effortless, he is the Best and always will be , Thank you Neil for bringing us so much pleasure.
@nancygentes8676
Wow, that is beautiful, thank you for sharing.