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.
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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Christmas past is past
Christmas present is here today
Bringing joy that will last
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away
And here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
The lyrics of Neil Diamond's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" remind listeners that, amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it is important to take a step back and cherish the present moment, appreciate the past for what it was and look forward to a bright future. The song is about the joy and camaraderie of the Christmas season, which brings together old friends and family, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
The first verse of the song is about appreciating the present moment. The second verse focuses on making the most out of the holiday season, spreading happiness and cheer while leaving all of our worries and problems behind. The third verse is about the traditions of Christmas and how they bring people together, often creating moments of nostalgia and reminiscence, as old friends gather together once again like in the "Happy golden days of yore". The final verse is a hopeful one, reminding us that if "the fates allow" we will always be together at Christmas time.
The mood of the song is mellow and contemplative, allowing listeners to relax and just enjoy the moment. Diamond's poignant voice adds to the lyrics' depth, making the song a true classic that is beloved by many to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas future is far away
The future Christmas is quite far, and it's currently not within reach.
Christmas past is past
The past Christmases have already gone by and are no longer present.
Christmas present is here today
The present Christmas is currently here and happening right now.
Bringing joy that will last
This Christmas will bring happiness and positive emotions that'll last a while.
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Wish yourself a happy and peaceful Christmas.
Let your heart be light
Allow yourself to be carefree and lighthearted during this holiday.
From now on our troubles will be out of sight
Let's set aside our problems and enjoy this holiday season without worries.
Make the Yuletide gay
Celebrate this holiday season with happiness and joy.
From now on our troubles will be miles away
During this Christmas, we'll forget about our issues and distance ourselves from negativity.
And here we are as in olden days
We're now together in similar circumstances like we used to be in the past.
Happy golden days of yore
In the past, we had jolly and memorable times that we recall with fondness.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Our loyal friends, who we cherish, are nearer to us now.
Gather near to us once more
Our beloved friends are reuniting with us once again.
Through the years we all will be together
We'll stay together over the years, regardless of what future Christmases hold.
If the fates allow
This plan is subject to change, and we can only achieve it if everything goes fine.
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
Put a glowing star on the highest branch of the Christmas tree.
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Lastly, enjoy this cozy and merry Christmas right now with everyone around you.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Tratore, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind