- Red Red Wine
Infobox Single
Name = Red Red Wine
Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist =Neil Diamond
Album = Just for You
A-side =
B-side = Red Rubber Ball
Released = start date|1968|4|13
Format = 7"
Recorded =
Genre =
Length =
Label = Bang
Writer =Neil Diamond
Producer =Jeff Barry ,Ellie Greenwich
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "New Orleans"
(1968)
This single = "Red Red Wine"
(1968)
Next single = "Brooklyn Roads"
(1968)
Misc =Infobox Single
Name = Red Red Wine
Cover size =
Border =
Caption =
Artist =UB40
Album =Labour of Love
A-side =
B-side = Sufferin'
Released = start date|1983|8|20
Format = 7", 12"
Recorded =
Genre =Reggae
Length =
Label =DEP International (UK)
A&M (US)
Writer = Neil Diamond, arranged by UB40
Producer = UB40, Ray "Pablo" Falconer
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "I've Got Mine"
(1983)
This single = "Red Red Wine"
(1983)
Next single = "Please Don't Make Me Cry "
(1983)
Misc ="Red Red Wine" is a song originally written and recorded by
Neil Diamond that was then covered byTony Tribe and more famously byUB40 . In the song, the singer finds drinkingred wine is the only way to forget a lost love.Versions
Diamond's version reached number sixty-three on the
Billboard Hot 100 chart in1968 . The single version of his recording includes a backing choir not found in any other version. It was also remixed for the compilation "Classics: The Early Years". That same year, Jimmy James and The Vagabonds released acover version for the UK market. It charted at number thirty-six.Tony Tribe , aJamaica nRocksteady singer, recorded areggae -influenced version in1969 which reached number forty-six in theUK singles chart . This version is also featured on an album entitled "Bob Marley and the Storey of Reggae". Also in1969 the song was covered by Swamp-Pop artist Charles Mann. In 1970, a remake byVic Dana became a minor Billboard Hot 100 hit. In early 1972, country singerRoy Drusky enjoyed a top 20 hit with his cover version.UB40 made their rendition for theircover version s album "Labour of Love ". According to the band, they were only familiar with Tony Tribe's version, and their version featured a lighter, reggae-style flavor compared to Diamond's somber, acoustic ballad. This version reached number one in the UK charts inAugust 1983 , and number thirty-four in the U.S. inMarch 1984 . A U.S. re-release in 1988 of the UB40 cover would then reach number one. This version of the song was featured on theKaraoke Revolution video game.Although most people think the re-release was prompted by KZZP in Phoenix, it was being played by Bobby Stark a DJ at a dance club in Atlanta called Scenario. After seeing how popular the song had become in the club, the program director at a local radio station added it to his rotation. The Atlanta PD also got his friend at the station in Phoenix to start playing it. With a new buzz about the song the record label decided to re-release it. The re-release version adds a toasted verse by UB40 member Astro, opening: "Red Red Wine, you make me feel so fine/You keep me rocking all of the time".
Diamond later performed a UB40-inspired version of the song on tour. In it, Diamond makes a slight complaint about UB40 misunderstanding the lyrics because of the happy tone to their version. This version was released on Diamond's "The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)".
The Hobos did a cover of this song on their 2004 double album "Radio Jah Jah ". The song was also surprisingly covered byScott Cosado in2006 with his bandMixed Reviews ."Red Red Wine" was performed by
Tee Set , a Dutch band, in1968 .The song has also been performed by
Cas Haley along with UB40 on the last episode of the season 2 show "America's Got Talent ".In
2001 ,Capleton released aDancehall version on theBuy Out Riddim instrumental, best known performed bySean Paul as the song titled:Like Glue . This was the first time the song was performed on a totally different instrumental. The lyrics were were re-written also.In
2007 ,Sean Kingston sampled part of this instrumental for his second single, "Me Love ".In
2008 ,Sizzla released a dancehall version based on theUB40 version.Rob Pearce originally sang and wrote red red wine with his wife kimChart performance
UB40 version
Rob Pearce originally sang and wrote red red wine with his wife kimI believe it was edited and produced by Dalton Pearce too. He was te one humming in the background of the song
References
* The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits
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