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.
Scotch On The Rocks
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You at my side
Pour me a drink
Nowhere to hide
Love on the loose
Said that I lied
Scotch on the rocks
You in my arms
Me in your hair
Pour me a drink
Tell me you care
Love on the loose
Said that I lied
Scotch on the rocks
Soda on the side
De de de de de de de de dumb
De de de de de de de de de...
De de de de de de de de de...
De de de de de de de de de...
De de de de de de de de de...
Scotch on the rocks
You in my arms
Pour me a drink
Talk of your charms
Love on the loose
Said that I lied
Scotch on the rocks
Soda on the side
De de de de de de de de dumb
De de de de de de de de de...
De de de de de de de de de...
De de de de de de de de de...
The lyrics of Neil Diamond's "Scotch On The Rocks" talks about a romantic encounter with someone while having a drink. "Scotch on the rocks" suggest that the singer of the song is drinking whiskey on ice. The line "You at my side, pour me a drink, nowhere to hide" implies that the singer feels comfortable and close to the person he is with. It seems that their relationship is more than just friendly, and the comfort they feel with each other allows them to indulge in drinking and let their guards down.
The lines "Love on the loose, said that I lied" suggest that there might be some issues in their relationship. The singer might have been accused of lying or maybe he has lied to his partner in the past. The phrase "soda on the side" suggests that even though the singer is drinking whiskey, he is also trying to dilute its effect by adding soda.
The song's chorus repeats twice throughout the song, highlighting the emphasis on the drinking and romantic relationship. The song's melody is catchy and playful, matching the mood of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Scotch on the rocks
Neil Diamond is drinking Scotch served over ice
You at my side
Neil Diamond is with his lover
Pour me a drink
Neil Diamond is asking for more Scotch
Nowhere to hide
Neil Diamond is feeling vulnerable and exposed
Love on the loose
Neil Diamond is in love and feeling passionately
Said that I lied
Neil Diamond is accused of being untruthful by his lover
Scotch on the rocks
Neil Diamond repeats his drink order
(Soda on the side)
Neil Diamond might have soda water alongside his drink, but this isn't clear
You in my arms
Neil Diamond is holding his lover
Me in your hair
Neil Diamond alludes to physical affection, but in a poetic way
Tell me you care
Neil Diamond is asking for reassurance of his lover's feelings
De de de de de de de de dumb
These sounds don't have particular meaning and might just be part of the song's melody
Scotch on the rocks
Neil Diamond repeats his drink order again
You in my arms
Neil Diamond really enjoys holding his lover close
Pour me a drink
Neil Diamond wants more Scotch served over ice
Talk of your charms
Neil Diamond is complimenting his lover and wants to hear more about what makes them attractive
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Gilbert Francois Leopold Becaud, Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Michael. You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXS7wLZczDqq6o3o79lHyDU
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJU8LKacrSGLyZCKMB8jkQhL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comments Marcela. A toast to you. 🥃
You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJU8LKacrSGLyZCKMB8jkQhL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Joyce. Who Neil or me? 😉 You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Judith, could not be further from the truth though. Neil is a teetotaller. If you click on the SHOW MORE tab located beneath this video, you will find out all there is to know about this frivolous song.
You may also wish to view these videos -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h06FopQAY4I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xIjvezsrC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGnaO8TI0k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--LjjLH7QNA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztrb_Ty4eZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_USoCzMd23Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSdtKls9AXs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5RY97qvtzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2YCa-9SA0
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Best wishes, Doug
JEFF PHILLIPS
I really love this song Neil at his very best such an inspiration
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comments Jeff. You may also wish to view this Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
Please also visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Best wishes, Doug
PS Not a bad effort singing 'America'.😉
Michael Boyce
This later became Love On the Rocks in a different tempo.
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Michael. You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXS7wLZczDqq6o3o79lHyDU
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJU8LKacrSGLyZCKMB8jkQhL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
Marcela Silva
Thanks Neil for this pretty son un THE DAY INTERNATIONAL WOMAN For all of tour Fans.
We Love You.
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comments Marcela. A toast to you. 🥃
You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJU8LKacrSGLyZCKMB8jkQhL
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
Joyce Tyner
I LOVE YOU !!
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Joyce. Who Neil or me? 😉 You may also wish to view these Playlists -
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXMpzUrgs6wXO97_25GZEaX
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJUrQTolzDH1lH_i1ewy75wq
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJW49zSIzTJHU-aHctTSTjpA
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo2q_F5rvzJXnMNeIDvNDvNRVbGx0C6As
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Take care, Doug
Judith Vanalstyne
Was he drunk on scotch when he wrote this
NEIL DIAMOND CENTRAL
Thanks for your comment Judith, could not be further from the truth though. Neil is a teetotaller. If you click on the SHOW MORE tab located beneath this video, you will find out all there is to know about this frivolous song.
You may also wish to view these videos -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h06FopQAY4I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xIjvezsrC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZGnaO8TI0k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--LjjLH7QNA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztrb_Ty4eZE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_USoCzMd23Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSdtKls9AXs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5RY97qvtzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2YCa-9SA0
Please visit our Neil Diamond dedicated website - https://www.neildiamondcentral.com/ Best wishes, Doug