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.
Little Drummer Boy
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
When we come
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum
on my drum?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum
The song "Little Drummer Boy" sung by Neil Diamond talks about the visitation of the three wise men to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The song begins with the announcement that the wise men had come to see the brand new king born in the stable. They bring with them their finest gifts to lay down before the baby Jesus. The song uses the repeated phrase "pa rum pum pum pum" to represent the sound of the drums played by the little drummer boy. The boy, who was very poor, didn't have any valuable gifts to give, so he asked if he could play his drum for baby Jesus. This was his way of offering honor and respect to the new king.
The second verse, starting with "Little Baby," is a conversation between the drummer boy and the baby Jesus. He tells the baby that he is too poor to have any presents to bring but he has a drum that he could play for him. The chorus is repeated twice to end the verse. The last verse tells a story of the drummer boy playing his drum while the Ox and Lamb and other animals kept time, and Mary nodded her head approvingly. In the end, the baby Jesus smiled at the drummer boy, acknowledging and appreciating his simple gift.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum
I was summoned by a messenger to come to the birthplace of the newborn King
Our newborn King to see, pa-rum pum pum pum
To witness the arrival of the newborn King
Our finest gifts we bring pa-rum pum pum pum
We bring our best gifts as a token of admiration and respect
To lay before the King pa-rum pum pum pum
To offer our gifts at the feet of the King
Rum pum pum pum. rum pum pum pum
The beat of the drums that accompany our journey
So to honor Him pa-rum pum pum pum
To show our reverence and gratitude towards Him
When we come
Upon our arrival
Little Baby pa-rum pum pum pum
A reference to the newborn King, who is still a small and vulnerable child
I am a poor boy too, pa-rum pum pum pum
I am also a humble and poor child, unworthy of presenting any grand gifts
I have no gift to bring pa-rum pum pum pum
I have nothing material to offer that is worthy of the newborn King
That's fit to give our King pa- rum pum pum pum
Something that is considered a suitable and befitting gift for a King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The rhythm of my drum, which is the only gift I have to offer
Shall I play for you, pa-rum pum pum pum on my drum?
May I present my drum as a humble gift for the newborn King by playing a tune?
Mary nodded pa-rum pum pum pum
Mary, the mother of the newborn King, approvingly accepted my gift
The Ox and Lamb kept time pa-rum pum pum pum
The animals in the stable swayed to the rhythm of my drum, as if they were keeping the beat
I played my drum for Him pa-rum pum pum pum
I played my drum as a tribute to the newborn King
I played my best for Him pa -rum pum pum pum
I played with all my heart and soul, putting my best effort to please the King
Rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum
The sound of my drum, which echoed throughout the stable
Then He smiled at me pa-rum pum pum pum
The newborn King graced me with a smile, signifying His approval and appreciation for my humble gift
Me and my drum
A symbol of the pure and simple heart with which I offered my gift
Lyrics © INTERNATIONAL KORWIN CORP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Harry Simeone, Henry V Onorati, Katherine Kennicot Davis, Lorenzo Definti
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Zalisha Abdool
Bringing Back Here In 2021...But
It Was....
My Childhood Memories!!!.. And My Mother Used To Sing Christmas Songs!!...Beautiful... Also Baking Cakes!!! At Nights... In...
{A Barrel Oven!!!}...Using fire Wood At The Top And At The Bottom!!
Lamps Were Fashionable Then!!
On Christmas Day...The Small Village WAS LIKE A HAPPY FAMILY!!
Visiting One Another And The Home -Made Cakes? Was What We Shared
As A GREAT PRIDE AND LOCAL FOOD!!!... {ONLY TO SAY LOVE!!!}.... WAS ALWAYS THERE?...You Know?
THIS WAS..INDEED!!!...BEAUTIFUL {BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES!!!}
Pat Carter
Awesome job.loved it.he's a man who pleases his audience.that has to be one of the best versions ever.loved everything thing about it including the scenery.
Kyle Sapp
this is one of the best version of little drummer boy ever. I'm a fan of neil diamond.
101
I’m a big fan of Neil Diamond and Bob Seger. But the best version is from Johnny Cash.
Rich Roy - Entrepreneur
Yes, I agree. Bob Seger’s version is the best.
Gunnar Linde
Yes indeed true
Sandra Burbidge
Love Neil diamonds music! First time I have heard him sing this! Awesome job!
geminiwednesday16
Absolutely wonderful; I just adore this beautiful song,no matter who sings it but I simply love this version. Anything from Neil Diamond cannot be wrong for me,though!....
Vicki Bryson
Love this song and Neil Diamond..🤗❤
Rita Tica
Me tooooooooo💓💓💓💓💓💓💓
Brigitte Brackett
One of the BEST versions of this song ! Merry Christian Neil !