Soft Rock

The song “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond has not a wasted word to describe love’s heartbreak. It was written and performed by Neil Diamond, and it was his debut single as a recording artist. It is a good example of sixties soft rock. The song was also on his 1966 album The Feel of Neil Diamond. There have been a number of re-releases. The power-team of Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich produced it. (The horn arrangement that’s on the track definitely says sixties.) In 1966, the song went only to #55 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. However, there has been a plethora of covers, including versions by Billy Joe Royal, B.J. Thomas, T.G. Sheppard, Gianni Morandi, The Sidewinders, Chris Isaak, Johnny Cash, HIM, Jay and The Americans, Johnny Rivers, and Cliff Richard, just to name a few.

Diamond was born Neil Leslie Diamond in 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. A singer, songwriter, and musician, Diamond is one of the world’s best-selling artists of all time.

Here are the lyrics of “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond:

“Melinda was mine
‘Til the time
That I found her
Holding Jim
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
The 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’ll love me
Right or wrong
Weak or strong

Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man…”

For other songs by Neil Diamond: “Girl You’ll be a Woman Soon” and “Cherry Cherry.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond.