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.
Solitary Man
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til the time that I found her
Holding Jim
And loving him
Then Sue came along, loved me strong
That's what I thought
Me and Sue
But that died too
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
I've had it to here
Bein' where love's a small word
Part-time thing
Paper ring
I know it's been done
Havin' one girl who loves you
Right or wrong
Weak or strong
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man, mm-mm, mm-mm
Solitary man, mm-mm, mm-mm
Solitary man
In Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man," the singer reflects on his past relationships and the pain he feels from the betrayal and lack of commitment from his partners. He references two different women in the song, Melinda and Sue, and how he believed they loved him but ultimately they ended up leaving him. Melinda cheats on him with another man named Jim, while Sue's love for him fades away. The singer states that he doesn't know if he will ever find true love again but until then, he will remain a "solitary man."
The chorus of the song repeats the line "Don't know that I will, but until I can find me a girl who'll stay and won't play games behind me, I'll be what I am, a solitary man." This showcases the singer's reluctance to enter another relationship and his fear of being hurt once again. He has been let down by love too many times and feels that the risk of finding love again is not worth it.
Overall, "Solitary Man" is a melancholic reflection on romantic relationships and the unpredictable nature of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Melinda was mine
I used to be with Melinda
'Til the time that I found her
Holding Jim
And loving him
But then I caught her with Jim, who she loved instead
Then Sue came along, loved me strong
That's what I thought
Me and Sue
But that died too
After that, Sue came into my life and loved me deeply, but that didn't last either.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
I don't know if I'll ever find a loyal partner, but until I do, I'll remain alone and not pursue relationships with those who don't truly love me.
I've had it to here
Bein' where love's a small word
Part-time thing
Paper ring
I've reached my limit of being in relationships where love is not genuine, just a small word to throw around, and doesn't last; it's like a fleeting paper ring.
I know it's been done
Havin' one girl who loves you
Right or wrong
Weak or strong
I know it's possible to have one partner who truly loves you, no matter what, whether you're right or wrong, weak or strong.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
Again, I don't know if I'll find that kind of partner, but until then, I don't want to play any love games; I'll just be the lone wolf that I am.
Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man, mm-mm, mm-mm
Solitary man, mm-mm, mm-mm
Solitary man
I repeat, until I find someone who will love me authentically, I will remain on my own, just like a solitary man.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Hudson
One of the greatest singers to have graced the face of this earth.
Jackie Guccione
Better voice then anyone Sinatra elvis and all the rest
rosey riveter
AMEN to that statement!
Steven Keatley
@Jackie GuccioneSinatra, if you really listen to him as a singer he is,,, Crap!
Jackie Guccione
@Steven Keatley hes okay im 65 never really listened to him to much but in my opinion his best song i really like a very good year and something stupid with Nancy
Christopher Coles
I feel like I've been hearing this song my whole life , yet it never fails to move me. Out of all of Neil Diamond's classic songs , this one is my favorite , now and forever.
TOM W.
Rare song that has very meaningful words along with a dynamic melody that matches.
Teresa d brown Brown
Absolutely
Teresa d brown Brown
Great
Amperzand
Love this. Such a wonderful songwriter and lovely voice. I love so many of Neil's songs.