- America (Neil Diamond song)
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"America" 
Single by Neil Diamond from the album The Jazz Singer soundtrack B-side "Songs of Life" Released April 25, 1981 Format 7" Recorded 1980 Genre Pop Length 3:27 (single version)
4:19 (album version)Label Capitol Writer(s) Neil Diamond Producer Bob Gaudio Neil Diamond singles chronology "Hello Again"
(1981)"America"
(1981)"Yesterday's Songs"
(1981)"America" (also known as "They're Coming to America" or "Coming to America") is the name of a patriotic song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980 as part of The Jazz Singer soundtrack album. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Diamond's sixth number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.[1] Although the single version was a studio recording, it sounds live because of crowd overdubs in the song.
Contents
Background
The song's theme is a positive interpretation of the history of immigration to the United States, and seems to take place both during the early 1900s wave as well as in contemporaneous times. Formed of Diamond's typical combination of 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 has been used in a number of contexts, including as a theme song for Michael Dukakis's 1988 presidential campaign. Diamond also sang it at the rededication of the Statue of Liberty on the occasion of its centennial.[2]
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."[3][4]
Despite the song's patriotic message, it was included on a memorandum listing songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel Communications following the September 11 attacks.[5]
Covers
New Age pianist David Lanz performed a cover of this song for his album Finding Paradise.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 78.
- ^ Laura Jackson. Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion (ECW Press, 2005): p. 165.
- ^ Isaac Guzman, "American Icon: Neil Diamond shows his colors at Garden concert." Daily News Feature Writer.
- ^ Scott Holleran. "Neil Diamond Diamond Shines in Red, White and Blue" (2001). Los Angeles Daily News.
- ^ Strauss, Neil (2001-11-19). "The Pop Life; After the Horror, Radio Stations Pull Some Songs". Arts (The New York Times). http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9906E2D9153BF93AA2575AC0A9679C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. Retrieved 2008-08-04.
- ^ "Finding Paradise overview". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r568992.
External links
Categories:- 1981 singles
- Neil Diamond songs
- American patriotic songs
- Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles
- Songs written by Neil Diamond
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