Song Sung Blue
| "Song Sung Blue" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Neil Diamond | |
| from the album Moods | |
| B-side | "Gitchy Goomy" |
| Released | May 1972 |
| Format | 7" (45 rpm) |
| Genre | Country pop, adult contemporary |
| Length | 3:15 |
| Label | Uni |
| Writer(s) | Neil Diamond |
| Producer(s) | Tom Catalano |
|
Background Singers: Sally Stevens, Susie Stevens, Alison Freebairn-Smith and Jennifer Hicklin | |
"Song Sung Blue" is a 1972 hit song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. The song was released on Diamond's album, Moods and later appeared on many of Diamond's live and compilation albums.
It was his second No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, after 1970's "Cracklin' Rosie", and to date his last.[1] The song spent twelve weeks in the Top 40. In addition, "Song Sung Blue" spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart.[2] In addition, the song made the pop chart in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 14 on the UK Singles Chart.[3] The song has become one of Diamond's standards, and he often performs this song during concerts.
"Song Sung Blue" was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1973, Record of the Year and Song of the Year.[2] Both awards that year were won by Roberta Flack's rendition of Ewan MacColl's song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Diamond described "Song Sung Blue" in the liner notes to his 1996 compilation album, In My Lifetime, as a "very basic message, unadorned. I didn't even write a bridge to it. I never expected anyone to react to "Song Sung Blue" the way they did. I just like it, the message and the way a few words said so many things."[2]
The song inspired the title of a 2008 documentary about a Neil Diamond impersonator who was married to a Patsy Cline impersonator.[4]
Cover versions
Andy Williams released a version in 1972 on his album, Alone Again (Naturally).
Sacha Distel recorded the song in French as "Chanson Bleue".
British pop group Altered Images released a version in 1982 on album Pinky Blue.
Bobby Darin performed the song in 1972 during his summer television show, and his version was included on the 2004 album, Aces Back to Back.
Frank Sinatra also recorded a version in his "Trilogy" Album.
References
- ↑ Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of #1 Hits, 5th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 314.
- 1 2 3 Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 108.
- ↑ UK Singles Chart info from chartstats.com Retrieved 02-10-09.
- ↑ Song Sung Blue at IMDB
External links
| Preceded by "The Candy Man" by Sammy Davis, Jr. |
Billboard Easy Listening Singles number-one single June 3, 1972 (seven weeks) |
Succeeded by "Where Is the Love" by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway |
| Preceded by "The Candy Man" by Sammy Davis, Jr. |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single July 1, 1972 (one week) |
Succeeded by "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers |