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.
Kentucky Woman
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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She shines with her own kind of light
She'd look at you once
And a day that's all wrong looks all right
And I love her
God knows, I love her
Kentucky woman
She goin' to own you
Kentucky woman
Well, she ain't the kind
Makes heads turn at the drop of her name
But something inside
That she's got turn you on just the same
And she loves me
God knows, she loves me
Kentucky woman
If she get to know you
She goin' to own you
Kentucky woman
I don't want much
The good Lord's earth beneath my feet
A gentle touch from that one girl
And life is sweet and good
Ain't no doubt
I'm talkin' about
Kentucky woman
If she get to know you
She goin' to own you
Kentucky woman
I don't want much
The good Lord's earth beneath my feet
A gentle touch from that one girl
And life is sweet and good
Ain't no doubt
I'm talkin' about
Kentucky woman
If she get to know you
She goin' to own you
Kentucky woman
Kentucky woman
Kentucky woman
In Neil Diamond’s song “Kentucky Woman,” the lyrics depict a man who is deeply in love with a Kentucky woman. The song talks about her unique beauty that stands out from the rest – a kind of inner light that brightens everything around her. The song is about the singer’s own experience with this woman, how with just one look, she can make everything feel alright, even when everything else in his day is going wrong. The singer sings about the love that he has for her and how, no matter what, it will never change or falter.
The lyrics speak about how, when the Kentucky woman gets to know someone, she will own them. This line represents how strong and influential her personality is, able to change someone's life just by being in it. The singer also sings about how he doesn't need much, just a gentle touch from this one girl, and life is sweet and good. The message in the song is about the beauty of love and how it can bring joy and happiness into someone’s life.
Line by Line Meaning
Kentucky woman
The subject of the song is a woman from Kentucky.
She shines with her own kind of light
She has a unique and attractive quality that sets her apart from others.
She'd look at you once
Just one glance from her can change your perspective on a bad day.
And a day that's all wrong looks all right
After seeing her, everything seems better and more manageable.
And I love her
The singer has strong feelings of love for this woman.
God knows, I love her
The singer's love for her is genuine and intense.
If she get to know you
If you get to know her well, you'll be hooked on her.
She goin' to own you
She has a captivating and powerful presence that will make you feel like she owns your heart.
Well, she ain't the kind
She's not the stereotypical type of woman who turns heads immediately upon entering a room.
Makes heads turn at the drop of her name
She doesn't have the kind of beauty that immediately catches everyone's attention.
But something inside
Despite her lack of obvious physical beauty, there is an inner quality that makes her appealing.
That she's got turn you on just the same
She has a certain charm that is just as attractive as physical beauty.
And she loves me
The subject of the song has feelings of love for the singer as well.
Kentucky woman
The repeated chorus reinforces the subject of the song as a woman from Kentucky.
I don't want much
The singer is content with a simple life.
The good Lord's earth beneath my feet
Having a connection to nature is important to the singer.
A gentle touch from that one girl
The singer wants affection and comfort from the woman he loves.
And life is sweet and good
With those simple things, life is fulfilling and happy.
Ain't no doubt
There is no uncertainty about how the singer feels.
I'm talkin' about
He's emphasizing the importance of the Kentucky woman in his life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charles Wagner
Are you ready for this? Deep Purple had a hit cover of the song in 1968!