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Did you know that the most famous songs in the world were actually secret love letters? Neil Diamond, the man with the gravelly voice and the glittery shirts, didn’t just wake up and write hits like Sweet Caroline. Every time he fell in love, the world got a new love song!
From a poor boy in Brooklyn to a superstar in a mansion, Neil’s heart was the real deal behind his music.
Let’s look at the three women who changed his life and your playlist forever.
Before the fame, there was Jayne Posner. They were just teenagers in Brooklyn with no money, living on 35 cents a day!
Jaye was there when Neil was just a struggling songwriter. This era gave us the hit Solitary Man. The song was about being alone and struggling. Makes you think, was he ever in love with Jayne?! Because even though she was with him, Neil felt the pressure of trying to become a star all by himself.
Neil Diamond – Solitary Man (Audio)
While Jaye couldn’t produce a love song out of Neil for herself, she gave him the best gift: his daughter!
Fun fact: Neil’s daughter coined the famous phrase Beautiful Noise while watching a loud New York parade. Neil kept that phrase in his pocket for years until it became a massive hit as a song and an album! Later, director Eric Green released a movie about Neil, titled “Beautiful Noise.”
Then came Neil’s glitter era with Marcia Murphey. For 25 years, Marcia was the queen by his side while Neil became a global legend. This is when stadiums got bigger, and shirts got shinier. This era and his love gave us Sweet Caroline.
Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline (Audio)
Everyone thinks this song is about Kennedy’s daughter Caroline, but Neil actually wanted to name it after Marcia! The problem? “Mar-ci-a” has three beats, but it didn’t rhyme as perfectly as “Ca-ro-line.”
Even though Neil and Marcia later divorced, Neil gave her $150 million – one of the biggest divorce payments in history! Neil told the world that she was worth every penny.
Finally, we reach the grand finale of his love story. In his 70s, Neil found his third great love, Katie McNeil, who was also his manager!
Even when Neil got sick with Parkinson’s and had to stop touring, Katie stayed right by his side. She helped him find a new kind of happiness at home. His album Melody Road is like a long love letter to her, proving that even when the bright stage lights turn off, having the right person to hold your hand is the greatest gift of all!
Neil Diamond Melody Road – Full Album
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