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.
Hello again
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just called to say hello
I couldn't sleep at all tonight
And I know it's late
I couldn't wait
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
When I'm here alone
And you're there at home
Hello
Maybe it's been crazy
And maybe I'm to blame
But I put my heart above my head
We've been through it all and you love me just the same
And when your not there
I just need to hear
Hello, my friend, hello
It's good to need you so
It's good to love you like I do
And I feel this way when I hear you say
Hello
Hello, my friend, hello
Just called to let you know
I think about you every night
And I know it's late but I could't wait
Hello
The lyrics of Neil Diamond’s song “Hello Again” is a testament to the power of enduring friendship and the importance of staying connected with loved ones no matter what happens. The song is a ballad that tells the story of a person who couldn’t sleep at night and decides to call up an old friend just to say hello. The song begins with the lyrics “Hello, again, hello. Just called to say hello. I couldn't sleep at all tonight. And I know it's late. I couldn't wait.”
The verses that follow express how much the person thinks about their friend every night and how they feel when they hear the words “Hello, my friend, hello. It's good to need you so. It's good to love you like I do. And I feel this way when I hear you say hello.” The chorus of the song tells the tale of a person who has been through a lot but has always been loved unconditionally by their friend. When they’re apart, all they need to hear is a simple “hello” to feel better.
Overall, the song is a beautiful ballad to remind people to keep in touch with loved ones no matter the distance. It is a heartfelt reminder that relationships are important and that there is always someone thinking about you.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, again, hello
Greeting the person on the other end of the line.
Just called to say hello
The sole purpose of calling is to say 'hello.'
I couldn't sleep at all tonight
The singer had insomnia and was unable to sleep.
And I know it's late
The time of the call is acknowledged as being late.
I couldn't wait
The artist was too eager to make the call and could not delay any longer.
Hello, my friend, hello
Another greeting directed to the person on the other end of the line.
Just called to let you know
The purpose of the call is to inform the person of something the singer needs them to know.
I think about you every night
The artist thinks about the person being called every night when they are alone.
When I'm here alone
The artist is alone where they are now.
And you're there at home
The person being called is at their home.
Maybe it's been crazy
The situation between the singer and the person being called has been hectic or abnormal.
And maybe I'm to blame
The artist is accepting responsibility for a part of the situation.
But I put my heart above my head
The singer has been making decisions based on emotions rather than logic.
We've been through it all and you love me just the same
The singer and the person being called have been through a lot, but their love for each other remains constant.
And when your not there
When the person being called is not with the singer.
I just need to hear
The artist has a strong desire to hear the person's voice.
It's good to need you so
The artist acknowledges that it's good to have a strong need for the person they are calling.
It's good to love you like I do
The singer expresses their love for the person being called.
And I feel this way when I hear you say
The singer experiences certain emotions when they hear the person's voice say something.
Hello
The artist ends the call with another greeting.
Just called to let you know
Similar to the previous line, the artist is emphasizing the purpose of the call is to inform the person being called of something.
And I know it's late but I could't wait
The artist apologizes for the late hour of the call but stresses that they could not wait any longer to make it.
Hello
The singer repeats the greeting as they end the call.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN LINDGREN, NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
K Hall
I never get tired of hearing this man's music. It brings back so many memories and feel things I felt back in the 1970's 80's, 90's.
Thank you for posting this
💖
Gloria Allmomd
Such a stupendous song!!! Thank you Neil, from the very bottom of my ♥. Such great, meaningful music. There's none better!! Kudos my friend.
C. Michael Stewart
I am an extreme metalhead, but I'll say this: Neil puts on one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I sang along with every song
Rita Roquetto
Neil, thank you so much for sharing this true musical gem with us. I'm just here enjoying your voice and your songs. God bless you. 🙏🙏❤❤
Steve Lewis
"🎼The words in this beautiful song says it all, bringing back so many memories of times gone by, how my heart says thank you for remembering so memorable , happy moments that leaves crystal tears in my eyes " 🎵❤️😔💧🤗
Lois Scott
Beautiful voice, love your music Neil, you're a lovely soul.
José Freitas Oliveira
A arte de existir é amar a música ❤
streamofawareness
Such a gorgeous song.❤
Susana Aguilar
Dios mío, se me erizan los pelos al escuchar su voz magestuosa 😍
Intuitive Diane
Another truly brilliant song.