America (Neil Diamond song)

"America" is a song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980 on the soundtrack album of Diamond's film The Jazz Singer. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Diamond's sixth number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.[1] Billboard also rated it as the #62 pop single overall for 1981.[2] Although the single version was a studio recording, crowd cheering overdubs simulate the feel of a live performance.

"America"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album The Jazz Singer soundtrack
B-side"Songs of Life"
ReleasedApril 1981
Recorded1980
GenrePop, disco
Length3:27 (single version)
4:19 (album version)
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Producer(s)Bob Gaudio
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Hello Again"
(1981)		 "America"
(1981)		 "Yesterday's Songs"
(1981)

Background

The song's theme is a positive interpretation of the history of immigration to the United States, both during the early 1900s and the present. Combining Diamond's typically powerful melody, dynamic arrangement, and bombastic vocal, it ends with an interpolation of the traditional patriotic song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee". In Diamond's concerts, the song is a very popular number both home and abroad, with a large United States flag often displayed from the rafters on cue to the lyric, "Every time that flag's unfurled / They're coming to America." The song was featured at the Stone Mountain Laser Show near Atlanta, Georgia.[3]

The song has been used in a number of contexts, including as a theme song for Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign and in promotion of the 1996 Olympics. Diamond also sang it at the centennial re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty.[4]

Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Diamond modified the lyrics to "America" slightly during live performances. Instead of "They're comin' to America," towards the end, it became "Stand up for America."[5][6] It was included on a memorandum listing songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel Communications following the September 11 attacks.[7]

Chart history

Cover versions

New-age pianist David Lanz performed a cover of this song for his album Finding Paradise.[15]

Me First and the Gimme Gimmes covered this song in their 2008 album Have Another Ball.

See also

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 78.
  2. "Pop Singles". Billboard Magazine. December 26, 1980. p. YE-9. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
  3. Thrasher, Paula Crouch (May 25, 1991). "Waves 'N' Raves". pp. L/20-L/22. Retrieved March 26, 2017. Then, until the end of July, the lineup is Charlie Daniels' "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," Bob James "Courtship" and Neil Diamond's "Coming to America." Rounding out the summer: A Beatles medley, Alan Parsons' "Pipeline" and Ray Lynch's "Celestial Soda Pop."
  4. Laura Jackson. Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion (ECW Press, 2005): p. 165.
  5. Isaac Guzman, "American Icon: Neil Diamond shows his colors at Garden concert." Daily News Feature Writer.
  6. Scott Holleran. "Neil Diamond Diamond Shines in Red, White and Blue Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine" (2001). Los Angeles Daily News.
  7. Strauss, Neil (2001-11-19). "The Pop Life; After the Horror, Radio Stations Pull Some Songs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
  8. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1981-06-13. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1981-06-27. Retrieved 2018-04-08.
  10. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  11. Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 78.
  12. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, June 27, 1981". Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  13. Musicoutfitters.com
  14. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 26, 1981". Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
  15. "Finding Paradise overview". Allmusic.com.
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