I last played this one in May 2021, a year-and-a-half ago … I try not to redux within two years, but since we’ve been doing Neil Diamond this week, I thought it only fair that I play my own personal favourite! Now, when I played this last time, Clive mentioned the Johnny Cash version … one that I knew existed, but hadn’t ever heard. So, Veni, Vidi, Vici … and since I do value diversity in most things, I have included Cash’s version this time ’round! I still prefer Neil Diamond’s, but I have to admit that Johnny Cash has a really nice voice!
This was Neil Diamond’s first charting single as a recording artist, though he had moderate success previously as a songwriter writing songs for other artists, including the Box Tops and the Monkees. Of Solitary Man he said …
“After four years of Freudian analysis I realized I had written ‘Solitary Man’ about myself.”
In a 2008 interview …
“Solitary Man was my first song where I tried to really raise the level of my songwriting. It was inspired by the Beatles’ song ‘Michelle,’ which was also written in a minor key. I don’t think I’d ever written a song in a minor key before, it was the first and it kind of broke the dam for me.”
The song would go on to be covered by many others, including T.G. Sheppard, Johnny Cash, HIM, and others, most of which I have never heard.
Solitary Man
Neil Diamond
Melinda was mine ’til the time
That I found her
Holding Jim
And loving him
Then Sue came along, loved me strong
That’s what I thought
Ya, me and Sue
But that died too
Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
I’ve had it to here
Bein’ where love’s a small word
Part-time thing
Paper ring
I know it’s been done
Havin’ one girl who’ll loves you
Right or wrong
Weak or strong
Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
Don’t know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who’ll stay
And won’t play games behind me
I’ll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man
Solitary man
Solitary man
Songwriters: Neil Diamond
Solitary Man lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Filosofa's Word 
Neil Diamond has an unforgettable voice, his songs carry strong message that touch our soul. His soundtrack from the Jazz Singer is classic… Love on the rocks, America, Songs of life
My personal fav:
Cheers ❤
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Solitary Man is NOT country, even if Johnny Cash is doing it. Just no!
This song won my heart forever for Neil, because it spoke to me at the time it came out. While I have often been a solitary man, I can say I seldom lost a woman because of cheating on either side. There were lots of other reasons, but the most problematic one for me was I was always changing, and few could keep up with those changes, or they themselves changed in other directions. Maybe I need to write a poem about that!
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Did I say it was country??? No, I did not!
I’m glad you enjoyed the song, but rather sorry if it brings back sad memories. Yes, write a poem about it, or better yet … I think you should start on your autobiography! I would definitely love to read it!
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This I would need someone to write for me. If I did it myself it would take now 73 volumes at least. 😉 And put everyone to sleep. 😴
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73 volumes??? Um, I was thinking more along the lines of a 300-400 page book. If other ‘greats’ could get their life into a few hundred pages, so can you!
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Honestly, I would not know how. I understand how my life could be interesting to others, even though to me it was just a life that needed to be lived. Foe me it would be impossible to choose the interesting parts, and I would go for the learning parts. I kind of already did that with the first 20 posts on my Word Art by Rawgod blog on WP but it generated very little response.
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Have I ever seen that blog? I know of two, but don’t recall if I’ve ever been to Word Art by Rawgod
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I thought I sent it to you. That was a while ago. Sorry if I didn’t.
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A wonderful song, probably my second favourite of his. Thanks for playing the Johnny Cash version too: I think that is an incredible cover, and it won him a Grammy.
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I love Cash’s voice … and I can see why it won him a Grammy! If I had heard his repeatedly and then only been introduced to Neil Diamond’s, I probably would prefer Cash’s version. I think we sort of bond with the ones we’re most familiar with.
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You could well be right on that, as it has always been a favourite of mine. That series of six ‘American’ albums that Johnny Cash recorded in his final days is astounding 😊
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I was never a huge fan of Cash, though I liked some of what he did. Much of it was just too country for me.
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I was the same, but there are some that stood out for me. Those final albums are superb, though.
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I’ll have to check them out!
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If you do, bear in mind that some of them were recorded in his final days, which for me makes them all the more remarkable.
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I didn’t get married until I was 32 and I really related to this song during my days as a solitary man.
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And I got divorced when I was 33 and never tried the marriage thing again! Glad you could relate to the song, but even more I am glad you’re happily married now!
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Another great Diamond song.
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I’m curious to hear your thoughts about today’s!
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