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{{Short description|1966 single by Neil Diamond}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}

{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Solitary Man
| name = Solitary Man
| cover = Solitary Man cover.jpg
| cover = Solitary Man cover.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Cover to 1970 re-release
| caption = Cover to 1970 re-release
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[Neil Diamond]]
| artist = [[Neil Diamond]]
| album = [[The Feel of Neil Diamond]]
| album = [[The Feel of Neil Diamond]]
| B-side = {{ubl|"Do It" (1966 release)|"The Time Is Now" (1970 re-release)}}
| B-side = {{ubl|"Do It" (1966 release)|"The Time Is Now" (1970 re-release)}}
| released = April 4, [[1966 in music|1966]]<ref name="amg-bio"/>
| released = April 4, 1966<ref name="amg-bio"/>
| recorded = January 24, 1966
| recorded = January 24, 1966
| studio =
| studio =
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[soft rock]]
| venue =
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=27}}
| genre = [[Soft rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/explore/metastyle/soft-rock-d4494/songs/tier-asc/50 |title=Explore: Soft Rock &#124; Top Songs &#124; AllMusic |date=2011-11-12 |access-date=2014-06-29 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112170238/http://allmusic.com/explore/metastyle/soft-rock-d4494/songs/tier-asc/50 |archive-date=November 12, 2011 }}</ref>
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=27}}
| label = [[Bang Records|BANG]]
| label = [[Bang Records|BANG]]
| writer = Neil Diamond
| producer = [[Jeff Barry]] & [[Ellie Greenwich]]
| writer = Neil Diamond
| prev_title = At Night
| producer = [[Jeff Barry]] & [[Ellie Greenwich]]
| prev_year = 1963
| prev_title = At Night
| next_title = [[Cherry, Cherry]]
| prev_year = 1963
| next_year = 1966
| next_title = [[Cherry, Cherry]]
| next_year = 1966
}}
}}
"'''Solitary Man'''" is a song written by American musician [[Neil Diamond]], who recorded the song for [[Bang Records]] in late January 1966. It has since been covered many times, notably by [[T. G. Sheppard]], [[Gianni Morandi]], [[Chris Isaak]], [[Johnny Cash]] and [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]].

'''"Solitary Man"''' is a song that was written and composed by American musician [[Neil Diamond]], who himself initially recorded the song for [[Bang Records|BANG Records]] in late January 1966. It has since been covered many times by such artists as [[Billy Joe Royal]], [[B.J. Thomas]], [[Jay and the Americans]], [[T. G. Sheppard]], [[Gianni Morandi]], [[The Sidewinders]], [[Chris Isaak]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Johnny Rivers]], [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]], [[Crooked Fingers]], [[Cliff Richard]], [[Ólöf Arnalds]], [[Theuns Jordaan]] and [[Farhad Mehrad]].


==History==
==History==
Recorded in late January 1966 and initially released on [[Bang Records|BANG Records]] in April 1966, "Solitary Man" was Diamond's debut single as a recording artist, having already had moderate (but accidental) success as a songwriter for other artists; their versions of the songs he had already written and composed were released before his ''own'' versions of them were.<ref name="amg-bio">{{cite web | url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4083/biography|pure_url=yes}} | title=Neil Diamond: Biography | author=William Ruhlmann | publisher=[[Allmusic]] | access-date=2008-04-30}}</ref> By July, the track had become a minor hit, rising to #55 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|U.S. pop singles chart]].<ref name="amg-bio"/> It would then be included on Diamond's first album, ''[[The Feel of Neil Diamond]],'' which he released in August 1966.<ref name="amg-bio"/>
Recorded in late January 1966 and initially released on [[Bang Records]] in April 1966, "Solitary Man" was Diamond's debut single as a recording artist, having already had moderate (but accidental) success as a songwriter for other artists; their versions of the songs he had already written and composed were released before his ''own'' versions.<ref name="amg-bio">{{cite web | url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4083/biography|pure_url=yes}} | title=Neil Diamond: Biography | author=William Ruhlmann | publisher=[[Allmusic]] | access-date=April 30, 2008}}</ref> By July, the track had become a minor hit, rising to No. 55 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|U.S. pop singles chart]].<ref name="amg-bio"/> It would then be included on Diamond's first album, ''[[The Feel of Neil Diamond]],'' which he released in August 1966.<ref name="amg-bio"/>

The song is a "ballad of a loner looking for love."<ref name=bb/> While nominally about young romantic failure, lines in the lyrics that read:

{{poemquote|
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
}}


have been closely identified with Diamond himself, as evinced by a 2008 profile in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]:'' "This is the Solitary Man depicted on his first hit in 1966: the literate, thoughtful and melodically adventurous composer of songs that cover a vast array of moods and emotions..."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/05/03/bmdiamond103.xml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503110753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/05/03/bmdiamond103.xml | url-status=dead | archive-date=2008-05-03 | title=Neil Diamond: the hurt, the dirt, the shirts | author=Neil McCormick | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=2008-03-05 | access-date=2008-05-02}}</ref> Indeed, Diamond himself would tell interviewers in the 2000s, "After four years of Freudian analysis, I realized I had written 'Solitary Man' about '''''myself."'''''<ref>{{cite news | url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article702596.ece | title=I'll be what I am. A solitary man | author=Pete Paphides | newspaper=[[The Times]] | date=2006-04-07 | access-date=2008-05-08}}</ref>
The song is a "ballad of a loner looking for love."<ref name=bb/> The theme of the song has been closely identified with Diamond himself, as evinced by a 2008 profile in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'': "This is the Solitary Man depicted on his first hit in 1966: the literate, thoughtful and melodically adventurous composer of songs that cover a vast array of moods and emotions..."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/05/03/bmdiamond103.xml | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503110753/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/05/03/bmdiamond103.xml | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 3, 2008 | title=Neil Diamond: the hurt, the dirt, the shirts | author=Neil McCormick | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=March 5, 2008 | access-date=May 2, 2008}}</ref>


In the lyrics, the singer lists some of his relationships and how they each ended. He laments "I know it's been done, having one girl who loves you." But he doubts it will happen for him. Indeed, Diamond himself would tell interviewers in the 2000s, "After four years of [[Psychoanalysis|Freudian analysis]], I realized I had written 'Solitary Man' about {{em|myself}}."<ref>{{cite news | url=https://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article702596.ece | title=I'll be what I am. A solitary man | author=Pete Paphides | newspaper=[[The Times]] | date=April 7, 2006 | access-date=May 8, 2008}}</ref>
"Solitary Man's" dynamic melody, matched with the melancholic universality of its lyrics, would make the song an attractive target for later interpretations.


After Diamond had renewed commercial success with [[Uni Records]] at the end of the decade, BANG Records re-released "Solitary Man" as a single and it reached No. 21 on the U.S. pop charts in the summer of 1970.<ref name="bb40">{{cite book | last=Whitburn | first=Joel | author-link=Joel Whitburn | title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 1955 to present | publisher=[[Billboard Publications]] | year=1983 | isbn=0-8230-7511-7 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/billboardbookoft0000whit_x9d9 }} p. 88.</ref> It also reached No. 6 on the Easy Listening chart.<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=72}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' praised the "solid dance beat and excellent production backing."<ref name=bb>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|accessdate=2021-03-04|date=April 16, 1966|page=18|title=Spotlight Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-04-16.pdf}}</ref>
After Diamond had renewed commercial success with [[Uni Records]] at the end of the decade, Bang Records re-released "Solitary Man" as a single and it reached No. 21 on the U.S. pop charts in the summer of 1970.<ref name="bb40">{{cite book | last=Whitburn | first=Joel | author-link=Joel Whitburn | title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 1955 to present | publisher=[[Billboard Publications]] | year=1983 | isbn=0-8230-7511-7 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/billboardbookoft0000whit_x9d9 }} p. 88.</ref> It also reached No. 6 on the Easy Listening chart.<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=72}}</ref>


''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' praised the "solid dance beat and excellent production backing."<ref name=bb>{{cite news|newspaper=Billboard|accessdate=March 4, 2021|date=April 16, 1966|page=18|title=Spotlight Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1966/Billboard%201966-04-16.pdf}}</ref> ''[[Record World]]'' said that the "acoustic backing is just right for [Diamond] to get another ride to the top of the charts."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Single Picks of the Week|magazine=Record World|date=July 4, 1970|page=1|accessdate=April 26, 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/70/RW-1970-07-04.pdf}}</ref>
Diamond originally recorded two versions of the song, as he later did with "[[Cherry, Cherry]]." The one version had his harmonic vocal track on the refrain of the song, along with accompaniment by a wordless female chorus. The other version was him singing the song alone, without his prerecorded harmony or the female chorus.


Diamond originally recorded two versions of the song, as he later did with "[[Cherry, Cherry]]." The one version had his harmonic vocal track on the refrain of the song, along with accompaniment by a wordless female chorus. The other version was him singing the song alone, without his prerecorded harmony or the female chorus.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}<!-- the whole paragraph -->
On such live albums as ''[[Gold: Recorded Live at the Troubadour]],'' ''[[Hot August Night]],'' and some subsequent recordings, Diamond altered the lyrics to "then '''''you''''' came along" from the original "then '''''Sue''''' came along." Many critics consider "Solitary Man" to be Diamond's signature tune.


In a 2005 ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' retrospective, Dan Epstein wrote, "'Solitary Man' remains the most brilliantly efficient song in the Diamond collection. There's not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he's repeatedly returned to throughout his career."<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/neildiamond/articles/story/8730821/neil_diamonds_jewels | title=Neil Diamond's Jewels | author=Dan Epstein | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=2005-11-03 | access-date=2008-05-08}}</ref>
In a 2005 ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' retrospective, Dan Epstein wrote, {{"'}}Solitary Man' remains the most brilliantly efficient song in the Diamond collection. There's not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he's repeatedly returned to throughout his career."<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/neildiamond/articles/story/8730821/neil_diamonds_jewels | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725135738/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/neildiamond/articles/story/8730821/neil_diamonds_jewels | url-status=dead | archive-date=July 25, 2008 | title=Neil Diamond's Jewels | author=Dan Epstein | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=November 3, 2005 | access-date=May 8, 2008}}</ref>


==Chart history==
==Chart history==
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!Peak<br />position
!Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|Canada ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=2820& |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=1966-07-18 |access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref>
|Canada ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=2820& |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=July 18, 1966 |access-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|56
| style="text-align:center;"|56
|-
|-
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| style="text-align:center;"|36
| style="text-align:center;"|36
|-
|-
|Canada ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3805&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3805.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3805 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=1970-09-19 |access-date=2017-04-04}}</ref>
|Canada ''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'' Top Singles<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3805&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.3805.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3805 |title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=September 19, 1970 |access-date=April 4, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|31
| style="text-align:center;"|31
|-
|-
|Canada ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4281&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4281.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4281|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=1976-08-14 |access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref>
|Canada ''RPM'' Adult Contemporary<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.4281&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.4281.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.4281|title=Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=August 14, 1976 |access-date=October 28, 2018}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|24
| style="text-align:center;"|24
|-
|-
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== Notable cover versions ==
== Notable cover versions ==
===T. G. Sheppard's version===
===T. G. Sheppard version===
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Solitary Man
| name = Solitary Man
| cover =
| cover =
| alt =
| alt =
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[T.G. Sheppard]]
| artist = [[T.G. Sheppard]]
| album = Solitary Man
| album = Solitary Man
| B-side = Shame
| B-side = Shame
| released = May 29, 1976
| released = May 29, 1976
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=39}}
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=39}}
| label = Hitsville
| label = Hitsville
| writer = [[Neil Diamond]]
| writer = [[Neil Diamond]]
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Motels and Memories]]
| producer =
| prev_year = 1975
| prev_title = [[Motels and Memories]]
| next_title = Show Me a Man
| prev_year = 1975
| next_title = Show Me a Man
| next_year = 1976
| next_year = 1976
}}
}}

In 1976, [[T. G. Sheppard]] released a cover version for Hitsville Records, a country-focused sub-label of [[Motown Records]]. It went to #14 on the U.S. country music chart ([[Hot Country Songs]]) and #100 on the Hot 100. The song charted best on the Canadian country chart, at No. 11.<br />
In 1976, [[T. G. Sheppard]] released a cover version for Hitsville Records, a country-focused sub-label of [[Motown Records]]. It went to No. 14 on the U.S. country music chart ([[Hot Country Songs]]) and No. 100 on the Hot 100. The song charted best on the Canadian country chart, at No. 11. It was also a hit on the Easy Listening charts of both nations.
It was also a hit on the Easy Listening charts of both nations.
{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


=== Gianni Morandi's cover ===
=== Gianni Morandi version ===
In 1966, famous Italian singer [[Gianni Morandi]] recorded a cover version titled "Se perdo anche te" ("If I also lose you"). The author of the Italian lyrics was [[Franco Migliacci]], who was Morandi's producer at that time and who, eight years before, had written the lyrics to [[Domenico Modugno]]'s international hit "Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare)."<br />
Italian singer [[Gianni Morandi]] recorded a cover version titled "Se perdo anche te" ("If I Also Lose You"). The author of the Italian lyrics was [[Franco Migliacci]], who was Morandi's producer at that time. "Se perdo anche te" spent ten weeks on the Italian pop chart in 1967, peaking at No. 1 for one week.<ref>[http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php ''Musica e dischi''] Italian music chart. (In Italian.) Search for "se perdo anche te" under tipo = singoli.</ref> The song was arranged by [[Ennio Morricone]], who at that time conducted many tunes published by the Italian branch of the [[RCA Victor]] Records label.{{cn|date=May 2024}}
This song was arranged by [[Ennio Morricone]], who at that time conducted many tunes published by the Italian branch of the [[RCA Victor]] Records label, and was the B-Side of "[[C'era un ragazzo che come me amava i Beatles e i Rolling Stones]]," or "There was a boy who, like me, loved the Beatles and the Rolling Stones," a song against the [[Vietnam war|Vietnam War]].

=== The Sidewinders's cover ===
The [[Tucson, Arizona]] alternative rock band [[The Sidewinders]] added a version of the song as the fifth track on their 1989 hit album ''Witchdoctor.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/witchdoctor-mw0000653333|title=Witchdoctor - Sidewinders - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Brian Caffrey ===
A completely original take on the song by the singer/songwriter from Dublin. Released in February of 2021 on his latest album "Room to Fly"
Brian recorded the song alone in his home studio. It can be heard on all the best music platforms.


=== Chris Isaak's cover ===
=== Chris Isaak version ===
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Solitary Man
| name = Solitary Man
Line 159: Line 139:
}}
}}


[[Chris Isaak]] covered "Solitary Man" as the last selection of his 1993 album ''[[San Francisco Days]].'' The music video for Isaak's version of the song was directed by [[Larry Clark]]. {{Clear}}
[[Chris Isaak]] included "Solitary Man" as the only cover song on his 1993 album ''[[San Francisco Days]].'' The music video for Isaak's version of the song was directed by [[Larry Clark]]. Isaak said that he chose the song because his mother was a fan of Diamond, and he liked the song's lyrics, especially the clever rhymes. Isaak noted that Diamond's version has a [[horn section]] playing in a manner reminiscent of the 1968 television series ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-O]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9A8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA17 |page=17 |title=Music Publishing: 'They're Playing My Song' |last=Cronin |first=Peter |date=June 12, 1993 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=105 |number=24 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
{{Clear}}


=== Johnny Cash's cover ===
=== Johnny Cash version ===
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Solitary Man
| name = Solitary Man
Line 170: Line 151:
| album = [[American III: Solitary Man]]
| album = [[American III: Solitary Man]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| released = October 17, [[2000 in music|2000]]
| released = {{start date and age|2000|10|17|paren=y|br=y}}
| recorded =
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| genre = [[Country music|Country]]
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=26}}
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=26}}
Line 181: Line 161:
}}
}}


[[Johnny Cash]] used "Solitary Man" for the title track of his 3rd album under the ''[[American Recordings (record label)|American Recordings]]'' label, ''[[American III: Solitary Man]],'' in 2000. The recording received a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance|Best Male Country Vocal Performance]]. His recording of the song was used in the penultimate episode of ''[[Stargate Atlantis]],'' "Vegas," and in the 17th episode of the fifth season of ''[[Criminal Minds]].'' In ''Stargate Atlantis,'' the song was used twice during the same episode: the first time had the character, Detective John Shepard listening to it on the radio as he drove with a montage going, and the second was shortly before the credits, when Shepard apparently died. This recording was also used for the opening credits of the 2010 film ''[[Solitary Man (film)|Solitary Man]],'' which starred [[Michael Douglas]].{{Clear}}
[[Johnny Cash]] used "Solitary Man" for the title track of his third album under the ''[[American Recordings (record label)|American Recordings]]'' label, ''[[American III: Solitary Man]]'', in [[2000 in music|2000]], featuring guest backing vocals by [[Tom Petty]]. The recording received a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance|Best Male Country Vocal Performance]].
{{Clear}}


=== HIM's cover ===
=== HIM version ===
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = Solitary Man
| name = Solitary Man
Line 190: Line 171:
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]]
| artist = [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]]
| album = <br />[[And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004]]
| album = [[And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004]]
| released = March [[2004 in music|2004]]
| released = {{start date|2004|3|1}}<ref name="aut"/>
| recorded = 2004
| recorded =
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| genre =
| length =
| length = 3:36
| label =
| label = [[BMG Finland]], [[RCA Records|RCA]]
| writer = Neil Diamond
| writer = Neil Diamond
| producer = [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]]
| producer = HIM
| prev_title = [[The Sacrament (song)|The Sacrament]]
| prev_title = [[The Sacrament (song)|The Sacrament]]
| prev_year = 2003
| prev_year = 2003
Line 205: Line 185:
| next_year = 2004
| next_year = 2004
}}
}}
In 2004, the [[Finland|Finnish]] band [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]] covered "Solitary Man" for their first compilation album, ''[[And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004]].'' It was released as a single, and [[Bam Margera]] produced a music video created for it.
In 2004, Finnish band [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]] covered "Solitary Man" for their first compilation album, ''[[And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004]].'' It was released as a single, and [[Bam Margera]] produced a music video created for it. This cover peaked at No. 2 in Finland and became HIM's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 9 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]


====Track listing====
====Track listings====
'''Finnish and European version'''
# "Solitary Man" – 3:38
# "Please Don't Let It Go" (live) – 3:14
# "[[Join Me in Death]]" (live) – 4:59
# "Website extras included as Enhanced CD content"


'''UK DVD single'''
=====Finnish and European version=====
#"Solitary Man" - 3:38
# "Solitary Man" (video) – 3:36
#"Please Don't Let It Go" (Live) - 3:14
# "[[Right Here in My Arms]]" (video) – 3:30
# Bam Margera's making of Buried Alive By Love" – 1:58
#"[[Join Me in Death]]" (Live) - 4:59
# Pandora's slideshow – 4:00
#"Website extras included as Enhanced CD content"
# "[[Your Sweet Six Six Six|Your Sweet 666]]" (audio—live 2003) – 4:40


'''UK CD single'''
=====UK version=====
# "Solitary Man"
DVD single
# "Please Don't Let it Go" (punk rock version—live 2003)
#"Solitary Man" (Video) - 3:36
#"[[Right Here in My Arms]]" (video) - 3:30
#Bam Margera's making of Buried Alive By Love" - 1:58
#Pandora's slideshow - 4:00
#"[[Your Sweet Six Six Six|Your Sweet 666]]" (Audio-Live 2003) - 4:40


'''UK 7-inch vinyl'''
CD single
#"Solitary Man"
# "Solitary Man"
# ([[Unusual types of gramophone records#Etched discs|Etched]] B-side contains no music)
#"Please Don't Let it Go" (punk rock version - live 2003)


====Charts====
7" vinyl
{|class="wikitable sortable"
#"Solitary Man"
!Chart (2004)
#([[Unusual types of gramophone records#Etched discs|Etched]] B-side contains no music)
!Peak<br />position

====Chart history====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
{{single chart|Austria|45|artist=HIM|song=Solitary Man|access-date=January 15, 2022|refname="aut"}}
!align="left"|Chart (2004)
!align="left"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
{{single chart|Finland|2|artist=HIM|song=Solitary Man|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|align="left"|[[Finland]] Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|-
{{single chart|Germany|17|artist=HIM|song=Solitary Man|songid=6027|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|align="left"|[[UK Singles Chart]]
| style="text-align:center;"|9
|-
|-
{{single chart|Scotland|13|date=20040508|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|align="left"|[[Germany]] Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|17
|-
|-
{{single chart|Sweden|37|artist=HIM|song=Solitary Man|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|align="left"|[[Switzerland]] Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|-
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|40|artist=HIM|song=Solitary Man|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|align="left"|[[Austria]] Singles
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|45
{{single chart|UK|9|date=20040508|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|UKrock|2|date=20040508|access-date=January 15, 2022}}
|}
|}

=== Crooked Fingers's cover ===
The band [[Crooked Fingers]] covered "Solitary Man" on their five-selection [[Extended play|EP]] of cover songs, the ''[[Reservoir Songs]]'' EP.

=== Cliff Richard's cover ===
[[Cliff Richard]] recorded "Solitary Man" for his 1966 [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Cliff Richard discography#EPs|La La La La La]].''

=== Skin Flesh & Bones's cover ===
[[Lloyd Parks|Skin Flesh & Bones]] recorded a reggae cover of it on their 1974 [[7"]] release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Skin-Flesh-Bones-I-Got-To-Go-On-Without-You/release/3425309|title=Skin, Flesh & Bones - Solitary Man|website=Discogs|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Tony Carey's cover ===
[[Tony Carey]] covered "Solitary Man" on his album ''[[Only the Young Die Good]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Tony+Carey/Only+the+Young+Die+Good|title=Only the Young Die Good - Tony Carey — Listen and discover music at Last.fm|website=Last.fm|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref> and on the album ''[[The Boystown Tapes]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/music/Tony+Carey/The+Boystown+Tapes|title=The Boystown Tapes - Tony Carey — Listen and discover music at Last.fm|website=Last.fm|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Jussi Syren And The Groundbreakers's cover ===
Jussi Syren And The Groundbreakers <ref>[[:fi:Jussi Syren and The Groundbreakers|Jussi Syren And The Groundbreakers]]</ref> recorded a [[Bluegrass music|bluegrass]] version on their album ''[[Heartagrass - An Acoustic Tribute To HIM]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Jussi-Syren-And-The-Groundbreakers-Heartagrass-An-Acoustic-Tribute-To-HIM/release/1984993|title=Jussi Syren And The Groundbreakers - Heartagrass - An Acoustic Tribute To HIM|website=Discogs|access-date=13 August 2017}}</ref> a tribute to fellow [[Finland|Finnish]] performers [[HIM (Finnish band)|HIM]], whose version of the selection is described above.

=== Ups and Downs' cover ===
[[Ups and Downs (band)|Ups and Downs]] recorded an indie pop cover on their 1986 EP ''Sleepless''.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* {{YouTube|iQCAWMK74Fo|Neil Diamond - Solitary Man}}
* {{MetroLyrics song|chris-isaak|solitary-man}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{Neil Diamond singles}}
{{Neil Diamond singles}}
{{Jay and the Americans}}
{{T. G. Sheppard}}
{{T. G. Sheppard}}
{{Chris Isaak}}
{{Chris Isaak}}
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[[Category:Songs written by Neil Diamond]]
[[Category:Songs written by Neil Diamond]]
[[Category:Neil Diamond songs]]
[[Category:Neil Diamond songs]]
[[Category:Billy Joe Royal songs]]
[[Category:Jay and the Americans songs]]
[[Category:T. G. Sheppard songs]]
[[Category:T. G. Sheppard songs]]
[[Category:Johnny Cash songs]]
[[Category:Johnny Cash songs]]
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[[Category:Bang Records singles]]
[[Category:Bang Records singles]]
[[Category:Reprise Records singles]]
[[Category:Reprise Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs about betrayal]]
[[Category:Bertelsmann Music Group singles]]
[[Category:RCA Records singles]]
[[Category:Songs about loneliness]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Jeff Barry]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Ellie Greenwich]]

Latest revision as of 03:32, 27 September 2024

"Solitary Man"
Cover to 1970 re-release
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album The Feel of Neil Diamond
B-side
  • "Do It" (1966 release)
  • "The Time Is Now" (1970 re-release)
ReleasedApril 4, 1966[1]
RecordedJanuary 24, 1966
GenreRock, soft rock
Length2:27
LabelBANG
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Producer(s)Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"At Night"
(1963) 		"Solitary Man"
(1966) 		"Cherry, Cherry"
(1966)

"Solitary Man" is a song written by American musician Neil Diamond, who recorded the song for Bang Records in late January 1966. It has since been covered many times, notably by T. G. Sheppard, Gianni Morandi, Chris Isaak, Johnny Cash and HIM.

History

[edit]

Recorded in late January 1966 and initially released on Bang Records in April 1966, "Solitary Man" was Diamond's debut single as a recording artist, having already had moderate (but accidental) success as a songwriter for other artists; their versions of the songs he had already written and composed were released before his own versions.[1] By July, the track had become a minor hit, rising to No. 55 on the U.S. pop singles chart.[1] It would then be included on Diamond's first album, The Feel of Neil Diamond, which he released in August 1966.[1]

The song is a "ballad of a loner looking for love."[2] The theme of the song has been closely identified with Diamond himself, as evinced by a 2008 profile in The Daily Telegraph: "This is the Solitary Man depicted on his first hit in 1966: the literate, thoughtful and melodically adventurous composer of songs that cover a vast array of moods and emotions..."[3]

In the lyrics, the singer lists some of his relationships and how they each ended. He laments "I know it's been done, having one girl who loves you." But he doubts it will happen for him. Indeed, Diamond himself would tell interviewers in the 2000s, "After four years of Freudian analysis, I realized I had written 'Solitary Man' about myself."[4]

After Diamond had renewed commercial success with Uni Records at the end of the decade, Bang Records re-released "Solitary Man" as a single and it reached No. 21 on the U.S. pop charts in the summer of 1970.[5] It also reached No. 6 on the Easy Listening chart.[6]

Billboard praised the "solid dance beat and excellent production backing."[2] Record World said that the "acoustic backing is just right for [Diamond] to get another ride to the top of the charts."[7]

Diamond originally recorded two versions of the song, as he later did with "Cherry, Cherry." The one version had his harmonic vocal track on the refrain of the song, along with accompaniment by a wordless female chorus. The other version was him singing the song alone, without his prerecorded harmony or the female chorus.[citation needed]

In a 2005 Rolling Stone retrospective, Dan Epstein wrote, "'Solitary Man' remains the most brilliantly efficient song in the Diamond collection. There's not a wasted word or chord in this two-and-a-half minute anthem of heartbreak and self-affirmation, which introduced the melancholy loner persona that he's repeatedly returned to throughout his career."[8]

Chart history

[edit]

Notable cover versions

[edit]

T. G. Sheppard version

[edit]
"Solitary Man"
Single by T.G. Sheppard
from the album Solitary Man
B-side"Shame"
ReleasedMay 29, 1976
GenreCountry
Length2:39
LabelHitsville
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
T.G. Sheppard singles chronology
"Motels and Memories"
(1975) 		"Solitary Man"
(1976) 		"Show Me a Man"
(1976)

In 1976, T. G. Sheppard released a cover version for Hitsville Records, a country-focused sub-label of Motown Records. It went to No. 14 on the U.S. country music chart (Hot Country Songs) and No. 100 on the Hot 100. The song charted best on the Canadian country chart, at No. 11. It was also a hit on the Easy Listening charts of both nations.

Gianni Morandi version

[edit]

Italian singer Gianni Morandi recorded a cover version titled "Se perdo anche te" ("If I Also Lose You"). The author of the Italian lyrics was Franco Migliacci, who was Morandi's producer at that time. "Se perdo anche te" spent ten weeks on the Italian pop chart in 1967, peaking at No. 1 for one week.[15] The song was arranged by Ennio Morricone, who at that time conducted many tunes published by the Italian branch of the RCA Victor Records label.[citation needed]

Chris Isaak version

[edit]
"Solitary Man"
Single by Chris Isaak
from the album San Francisco Days
B-side"Wicked Game"
Released1993
Recorded1992
GenreRock
Length2:37
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Chris Isaak singles chronology
"San Francisco Days"
(1993) 		"Solitary Man"
(1993) 		"Somebody's Crying"
(1995)

Chris Isaak included "Solitary Man" as the only cover song on his 1993 album San Francisco Days. The music video for Isaak's version of the song was directed by Larry Clark. Isaak said that he chose the song because his mother was a fan of Diamond, and he liked the song's lyrics, especially the clever rhymes. Isaak noted that Diamond's version has a horn section playing in a manner reminiscent of the 1968 television series Hawaii Five-O.[16]

Johnny Cash version

[edit]
"Solitary Man"
Song by Johnny Cash
from the album American III: Solitary Man
LanguageEnglish
ReleasedOctober 17, 2000
(24 years ago) (2000-10-17)
GenreCountry
Length2:26
LabelAmerican Recordings
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Producer(s)John Carter Cash, Rick Rubin

Johnny Cash used "Solitary Man" for the title track of his third album under the American Recordings label, American III: Solitary Man, in 2000, featuring guest backing vocals by Tom Petty. The recording received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

HIM version

[edit]
"Solitary Man"
Single by HIM
from the album And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004
ReleasedMarch 1, 2004 (2004-03-01)[17]
Length3:36
LabelBMG Finland, RCA
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Producer(s)HIM
HIM singles chronology
"The Sacrament"
(2003) 		"Solitary Man"
(2004) 		"And Love Said No"
(2004)

In 2004, Finnish band HIM covered "Solitary Man" for their first compilation album, And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004. It was released as a single, and Bam Margera produced a music video created for it. This cover peaked at No. 2 in Finland and became HIM's highest-charting single in the United Kingdom, reaching No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart

Track listings

[edit]

Finnish and European version

  1. "Solitary Man" – 3:38
  2. "Please Don't Let It Go" (live) – 3:14
  3. "Join Me in Death" (live) – 4:59
  4. "Website extras included as Enhanced CD content"

UK DVD single

  1. "Solitary Man" (video) – 3:36
  2. "Right Here in My Arms" (video) – 3:30
  3. Bam Margera's making of Buried Alive By Love" – 1:58
  4. Pandora's slideshow – 4:00
  5. "Your Sweet 666" (audio—live 2003) – 4:40

UK CD single

  1. "Solitary Man"
  2. "Please Don't Let it Go" (punk rock version—live 2003)

UK 7-inch vinyl

  1. "Solitary Man"
  2. (Etched B-side contains no music)

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[17] 45
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[18] 2
Germany (GfK)[19] 17
Scotland (OCC)[20] 13
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[21] 37
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[22] 40
UK Singles (OCC)[23] 9
UK Rock & Metal (OCC)[24] 2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d William Ruhlmann. "Neil Diamond: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. April 16, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Neil McCormick (March 5, 2008). "Neil Diamond: the hurt, the dirt, the shirts". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  4. ^ Pete Paphides (April 7, 2006). "I'll be what I am. A solitary man". The Times. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1983). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 1955 to present. Billboard Publications. ISBN 0-8230-7511-7. p. 88.
  6. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 72.
  7. ^ "Single Picks of the Week" (PDF). Record World. July 4, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Dan Epstein (November 3, 2005). "Neil Diamond's Jewels". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 25, 2008. Retrieved May 8, 2008.
  9. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 18, 1966. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  10. ^ a b Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  11. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. September 19, 1970. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  12. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. August 14, 1976. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
  13. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 72.
  14. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 19, 1971[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ Musica e dischi Italian music chart. (In Italian.) Search for "se perdo anche te" under tipo = singoli.
  16. ^ Cronin, Peter (June 12, 1993). "Music Publishing: 'They're Playing My Song'". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 24. p. 17. ISSN 0006-2510.
  17. ^ a b "HIM – Solitary Man" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "HIM: Solitary Man" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "HIM – Solitary Man" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  20. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  21. ^ "HIM – Solitary Man". Singles Top 100. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  22. ^ "HIM – Solitary Man". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  23. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  24. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
[edit]
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