Showing posts with label Neil Diamond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neil Diamond. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Neil Diamond: Top 50 Songs

Neil Diamond

Top 50 Songs

Adult-contemporary/pop singer born 1/24/1941 in Brooklyn, NY. His real name is Neil Diamond, however he considered changing his name to Noah Kaminsky early in his career. Worked as songplugger/staff writer in NYC; also wrote under pseudonym Mark Lewis. Worked in the Brill Building, legendary for housing some of pop music's most successful songwriters and publishers. First record for Duel in 1961. Wrote for The Monkees’ TV show. Wrote score for the movie Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Starred in and composed the music for The Jazz Singer in 1980.

Links:

Awards:

Top 50 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards.

Check out the Spotify playlist The Best of Neil Diamond 1966-2001.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. I’m a Believer” (The Monkees, (1966)
2. Sweet Caroline (1969)

DMDB Top 2%:

3. Red Red Wine (UB40, 1983)

DMDB Top 5%:

4. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (with Barbra Streisand, 1978)
5. Cracklin’ Rose (1970)
6. Song Sung Blue (1972)
7. America (1980)

DMDB Top 10%:

8. Love on the Rocks (1980)
9. Heartlight (1982)
10. I Am…I Said (1971)
11. A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You (The Monkees, 1967)
12. Forever in Blue Jeans (1978)
13. Hello Again (1980)

DMDB Top 20%:

14. September Morn’ (1979)
15. Yesterday’s Songs (1981)
16. Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon (Urge Overkill, 1994)
17. Holly Holy (1969)
18. Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon (1967)
19. Solitary Man (1966)
20. I’m a Believer (Smash Mouth, 2001)

21. Play Me (1972)
22. You Got to Me (1967)
23. Shilo (1967)
24. I’m a Believer (1967)
25. He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother (1970)
26. Cherry Cherry (1966)
27. Beautiful Noise (1976)
28. If You Know What I Mean (1976)
29. I’m Alive (1982)
30. Desiree (1977)

31. Red Red Wine (1967)
32. Longfellow Serenade (1974)
33. Soolaimon (African Trilogy II) (1970)
34. Be Mine Tonight (1981)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

35. Kentucky Woman (Deep Purple, 1968)
36. Thank the Lord for the Night Time (1967)
37. Stones (1971)
38. And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind (Mark Lindsay, 1970)
39. Until It’s Time for You to Go (1969)
40. Walk on Water (1972)

41. Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show (1969)
42. I Got the Feelin’ (Oh No No) (1966)
43. Do It (1966)
44. Kentucky Woman (1967)
45. Done Too Soon (1970)
46. Be (1973)
47. On the Way to the Sky (1981)
48. Red Red Wine (1970)
49. I’ve Been This Way Before (1974)
50. The Last Thing on My Mind (1971)

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First posted 1/23/2024.

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Saturday, September 23, 2023

The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs of All Time


No, this isn’t what “soft rock” means.

Adult Contemporary, 1961-2023:

Top 100 Songs

It’s been called “soft rock,” “light rock,” “middle of the road,” and “adult contemporary.” By any name, this genre celebrates songwriters and balladry and music that skews toward a generally older audience.

This post originated in 2011 when Billboard magazine celebrated the 50th anniversary of their adult contemporary charts with a list of “The Top 100 Adult Contemporary Songs Ever.” They weighted the list so that the last decade’s trend toward longer stays at #1 (and longer stays on the chart) didn’t completely dominate the list. I posted a new ranking on my Facebook page that showed the biggest AC hits based solely on weeks at #1.

Still not satisfied, I went to my music database and sorted all songs to hit #1 on the adult contemporary charts. Then I sorted those songs based on total points in Dave’s Music Database. The results made for what I consider the most balanced of the three lists and acknowledging some bonafide classics which may not have had longevity at #1 or on the charts, but have had long-lasting impact.

One last thing – the pics are for the top-ten ranked AC acts according to Billboard. Click on the photos for the acts DMDB music makers encyclopedia entries.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
2. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
3. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
4. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
5. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
6. The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” (1965)
7. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
8. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
9. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
10. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)


Elton John

11. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
12. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
13. Ray Charles “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1962)
14. U.S.A. for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
15. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
16. Adele “Hello” (2015)
17. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
18. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019)
19. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994)
20. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)


Neil Diamond

21. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
22. Jason Mraz “I’m Yours” (2008)
23. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
24. Adele “Someone Like You (2011)
25. Bee Gees “How Deep Is Your Love” (1977)
26. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017)
27. Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010)
28. John Legend “All of Me” (2013)
29. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
30. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)


Barbra Streisand

31. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014)
32. Kenny Rogers “Lady” (1980)
33. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
34. Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” (2007)
35. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
36. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995)
37. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” 1998)
38. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (1973)
39. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
40. Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (2016)


Barry Manilow

41. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
42. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
43. Katy Perry “Roar” (2013)
44. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
45. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015)
46. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
47. Katy Perry “Firework” (2010)
48. Harry Nilsson “Without You” (1971)
49. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
50. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)


Kenny Rogers

51. James Blunt “You’re Beautiful” (2005)
52. Carly Simon “You’re So Vain” (1972)
53. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (1996)
54. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017)
55. Taylor Swift “Love Story” (2008)
56. Taylor Swift “Blank Space” (2014)
57. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
58. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
59. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
60. Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (1996)


Chicago

61. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
62. One Republic “Counting Stars” (2013)
63. Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
64. Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
65. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
66. Daniel Powter “Bad Day” (2005)
67. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
68. Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)”
69. Harry Styles “As It Was” (2022)
70. Dolly Parton “9 to 5” (1980)


Billy Joel

71. Rick Astley “Never Gonna Give You Up” (1987)
72. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
73. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1973)
74. Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)
75. Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton “Islands in the Stream” (1983)
76. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
77. Train “Hey, Soul Sister” (2009)
78. Lee Ann Womack with Sons of the Desert “I Hope You Dance” (2000)
79. Gilbert O’Sullivan “Alone Again (Naturally)” (1972)
80. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)


Carpenters

81. B.J. Thomas “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” (1969)
82. Snow Patrol “Chasing Cars” (2006)
83. Magic! “Rude” (2013)
84. Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
85. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (2012)
86. Lionel Richie “Say You Say Me” (1985)
87. Glen Campbell “Wichita Lineman” (1968)
88. Passenger “Let Her Go” (2012)
89. Mariah Carey “Vision of Love” (1990)
90. Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)


Lionel Richie

91. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
92. Taylor Swift “You Belong with Me” (2008)
93. Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982)
94. Stan Getz with Joao & Astrud Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
95. Jimmy Dean “Big Bad John” (1961)
96. Roger Miller “King of the Road” (1965)
97. Post Malone “Circles” (2019)
98. Savage Garden “Truly Madly Deeply” (1997)
99. Carpenters “They Long to Be Close to You” (1970)
100. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)


Anne Murray

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First posted 7/22/2011; last updated 9/23/2023.

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Thursday, February 28, 2019

Australia’s Biggest #1 Albums

First posted 5/15/2015. Updated 2/28/2019.

image from ariacharts.com

This is a list of the biggest #1 albums on the Australian charts from its inception in 1965 to today. In the event of ties (of which there are many), the album ranking highest in Dave’s Music Database is listed first and so on. Also, the year listed is when the album was released or first charted. Consequently, it may not indicate the actual year in which the album peaked at #1.

    76 weeks:

  1. The Sound of Music (soundtrack, 1965)

    34 weeks:

  2. Dire Straits: Brothers in Arms (1985)

    32 weeks:

  3. Adele: 21 (2011)

    30 weeks:

  4. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

    29 weeks:

  5. Neil Diamond: Hot August Night (live, 1972)
  6. Delta Goodrem: Innocent Eyes (2003)

    28 weeks:

  7. Various Artists: Hair (cast, 1968)

    27 weeks:

  8. Ed Sheeran: ÷ (Divide) (2017)

    25 weeks:

  9. John Farnham: Whispering Jack (1986)

    20 weeks:

  10. Shania Twain: Come on Over (1997)

    19 weeks:

  11. Creedence Clearwater Revival: Cosmo’s Factory (1970)
  12. Savage Garden: Savage Garden (1997)

    18 weeks:

  13. The Beatles: Abbey Road (1969)
  14. Mariah Carey: Music Box (1993)
  15. Boz Scaggs: Silk Degrees (1976)

    17 weeks:

  16. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass: Going Places (1965)
  17. The Seekers: Greatest Hits (1967)

    16 weeks:

  18. The Beatles: The Beatles (aka “The White Album”) (1968)
  19. Abba: Best of (1976) (released outside of Australia as Greatest Hits with two more tracks)
  20. Skyhooks: Living in the ‘70s (1975)

    15 weeks:

  21. Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
  22. Dire Straits: Love Over Gold (1982)
  23. Cat Stevens: Teaser and the Firecat (1971)

    14 weeks:

  24. Bee Gees/Various Artists: Saturday Night Fever (soundtrack, 1977)
  25. Various Artists: Grease (soundtrack, 1978)
  26. Kings of Leon: Only by the Night (2008)
  27. Bryan Adams: So Far So Good (1993)
  28. Michael Bublé: Christmas (2011)

    13 weeks:

  29. Pink: Greatest Hits…So Far!!! (2010)
  30. A Man and a Woman (Un Homme et Une Femme) (soundtrack, 1967)

    12 weeks:

  31. Eagles: Hotel California (1976)
  32. James Blunt: Back to Bedlam (2004)
  33. Slade: Alive! (1972)

    11 weeks:

  34. Michael Jackson: Thriller (1982)
  35. The Beatles: Rubber Soul (1965)
  36. Whitney Houston: Whitney Houston (1985)
  37. The Beatles: Help! (1965)
  38. James Horner (composer): Titanic (soundtrack, 1997)
  39. The Beatles: Beatles for Sale (1964)
  40. The Rolling Stones: Tattoo You (1981)
  41. Jethro Tull: Thick As a Brick (1972)
  42. Susan Boyle: I Dreamed a Dream (2009)
  43. Don McLean: American Pie (1972)
  44. Moulin Rouge (soundtrack, 2001)
  45. Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper A Star Is Born (soundtrack, 2018)
  46. Abba: Abba (1975)
  47. Skyhooks: Ego Is Not a Dirty Word (1975)
  48. Icehouse: Man of Colours (1987)

    10 weeks:

  49. Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill (1995)
  50. John Lennon/Yoko Ono: Double Fantasy (1980)
  51. Split Enz: True Colours (1980)
  52. Elton John: Caribou (1974)
  53. Pink: The Truth About Love (2012)
  54. Rod Stewart: A Night on the Town (1976)
  55. Crowded House: Recurring Dream – The Very Best of (1996)
  56. Jesus Christ Superstar (Australian cast, 1992)

    9 weeks:

  57. The Beatles: 1 (2000)
  58. Norah Jones: Come Away with Me (2002)
  59. Men at Work: Business as Usual (1981)
  60. Taylor Swift: 1989 (2014)
  61. Eminem: Recovery (2010)
  62. Robbie Williams: Greatest Hits (2004)
  63. Electric Light Orchestra: A New World Record (1976)
  64. Romeo + Juliet (sountrack, 1996)
  65. Rod Stewart: Foot Loose & Fancy Free (1977)
  66. Pink: Funhouse (2008)
  67. Village People: Can’t Stop the Music (1980)
  68. Various Artists: Choose 1985 (1984)

    8 weeks:

  69. Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (1977)
  70. Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A. (1984)
  71. Various Artists: Dirty Dancing (soundtrack, 1987)
  72. Eric Clapton: Unplugged (live, 1992)
  73. George Harrison: All Things Must Pass (1970)
  74. Adele: 25 (2015)
  75. Abba: Arrival (1976)
  76. Dido…No Angel (1999)
  77. Celine Dion: The Colour of My Love (1993)
  78. Ed Sheeran: X (Multiply) (2014)
  79. The Greatest Showman (soundtrack, 2018)
  80. Macy Gray: On How Life Is (1999)
  81. Joe Cocker: Cocker Happy (1971)
  82. John Farnham: Age of Reason (1988)

    7 weeks:

  83. Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell (1977)
  84. Eminem: The Eminem Show (2002)
  85. Paul McCartney & Wings…Band on the Run (1973)
  86. Live: Throwing Copper (1994)
  87. Eurythmics: Greatest Hits (1991)
  88. Avril Lavigne: Let Go (2002)
  89. Culture Club: Colour by Numbers (1983)
  90. Michael Jackson: The Essential (2005)
  91. Marvin Hamlisch: The Sting (soundtrack, 1974)
  92. Cat Stevens: Catch Bull at Four (1972)
  93. Jeff Wayne: War of the Worlds (1978)
  94. INXS: Very Best of (2014)
  95. Richard Marx: Repeat Offender (1989)
  96. Missy Higgins: The Sound of White (2004)
  97. Daddy Cool: Daddy Who?...Daddy Cool (1971)
  98. Neil Diamond: Serenade (1974)
  99. The Beatles: Ballads (1981)
  100. Moving Pictures: Days of Innocence (1982)
  101. Jimmy Barnes: For the Working Class Man (1985)

* More than 100 albums are listed so that all those albums which spent 7 weeks at the top could be listed.

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Thursday, May 4, 2017

The Top 50 Adult Contemporary Acts

image of Elton John, Celine Dion, and Lionel Richie from billboard.com

According to Billboard magazine, these are the top 50 adult contemporary artists, as determined by their success on the adult contemporary singles charts from 1961-2011. See the original link here.

1. Elton John
2. Neil Diamond
3. Barbra Streisand
4. Barry Manilow
5. Kenny Rogers
6. Chicago
7. Billy Joel
8. Carpenters
9. Lionel Richie
10. Anne Murray

11. Dionne Warwick
12. Phil Collins
13. Elvis Presley
14. Gloria Estefan/Miami Sound Machine
15. Whitney Houston
16. Olivia Newton-John
17. Herb Alpert
18. Michael Bolton
19. Celine Dion
20. Andy Williams

21. Frank Sinatra
22. John Denver
23. Bobby Vinton
24. Rod Stewart
25. Glen Campbell
26. Al Martino
27. James Taylor
28. Mariah Carey
29. Helen Reddy
30. Madonna

31. Carly Simon
32. Stevie Wonder
33. Daryl Hall & John Oates
34. Richard Marx
35. Engelbert Humperdinck
36. Dean Martin
37. Linda Ronstadt
38. Dan Fogelberg
39. Tom Jones (singer)
40. Air Supply

41. Diana Ross
42. Cher
43. 5th Dimension
44. Jack Jones
45. The Lettermen
46. B.J. Thomas
47. Johnny Mathis
48. Amy Grant
49. Fleetwood Mac
50. Perry Como

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Saturday, December 31, 2016

Today in Music (1966): The Monkees’ hit #1 with “I’m a Believer”

I’m a Believer

The Monkees

Writer(s): Neil Diamond (see lyrics here)

Released: November 12, 1966

First Charted: December 3, 1966

Peak: 17 US, 18 CB, 13 GR, 15 HR, 14 UK, 12 CN, 11 AU, 5 DF (Click for codes to charts.)

Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.4 UK, 10.0 world (includes US + UK)

Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 4.0 radio, 21.28 video, 439.40 streaming

Awards:

Click on award for more details.

About the Song:

Jeff Barry discovered Neil Diamond singing in a coffee house in Greenwich Village. FB They became two of the biggest talents for the hit-making machine known as the Brill Building. Diamond became one of the most successful singer/songwriters, ranking #3 all-time on the adult contemporary charts and in the top 25 for the pop charts. However, his biggest success came via a made-for-television group.

That group, the Monkees, were modeled after the playful spirit of the Beatles’ movies. DJ While they fought to play their own songs, producers limited the Monkees to singing and brought in session musicians for the instruments. SF The show, which aired from 1966 to 1968, propelled the Monkees to the top of the charts with debut single “Last Train to Clarksville.”

When publisher Don Kirshner was seeking a million-selling follow-up, he turned to Barry and Elle Greenwich, Diamond’s producers, after hearing Diamond’s top 10 hit “Cherry Cherry” on the radio. FB Kirshner picked out several songs Diamond was prepping for his next album, among them “I’m a Believer.” The head of Diamond’s record company couldn’t believe he’d give away potential number ones, but, as Diamond says, “I couldn’t have cared less because I had to pay the rent.” SF After all, Diamond intended to give the song to country artist Eddy Arnold. KL

The song featured session guitarist Al Gorgoni, who had also played on Diamond’s “Cherry Cherry.” He would go on to play on two more of the most celebrated songs of the rock era – Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” and Van Morrison’s “Brown-Eyed Girl.” RC

The Monkees heavily promoted “I’m a Believer” through their TV series, racking up one million in advance sales. RC It went on top the BillboardHot 100 for 7 weeks and be the biggest hit of 1966 CPM and “one of the Hot 100’s finest specimens of pure pop genius.” BB Diamond still recorded the song, releasing it on his 1967 album Just for You and as a single in 1971, peaking at #51. The song resurfaced in 2001 when the alternative rock group Smash Mouth recorded it for the movie Shrek and took it to #25 on the pop charts.

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First posted 3/1/2012; updated 4/21/2024.

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