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He’s 67 years old, wearing a shirt that looks like a disco ball, and he’s currently outshining every modern pop star on your Facebook feed! If you’ve seen a silver-haired man commanding a massive stage at Madison Square Garden lately, you aren’t alone.
A 2008 clip of Neil Diamond is exploding globally, and it’s not just because of the nostalgia. It’s because the “Jewish Elvis” was doing something in this concert that we rarely see anymore: pure, unfiltered magic.
When Neil jumps into “Cracklin’ Rosie”, the energy is electric. He is dancing, smiling, and completely in control of his stage presence, which puts people in awe! But the main reason this song is going viral again is its backstory!
Neil Diamond – Cracklin’ Rosie (Live At Madison Square Garden / 2008)
Here’s the “did you know” fact on it if you’re missing out!
Many people think “Cracklin’ Rosie” is a song about a beautiful girl. It’s actually not! Neil wrote this song after hearing a story about a native tribe in Canada. The men in the tribe would buy a cheap kind of sparkling wine called “Crackling Rose” when they didn’t have dates for the weekend! So, “Rosie” isn’t a woman, it is a bottle of wine that keeps you company! When Neil sings, “You’re a store-bought woman,” he is literally talking about buying a drink at the store.
But the night doesn’t end with Cracklin’ Rosie! Neil then moves on to sing “I am… I said.”
Neil Diamond – I Am…I Said (Live At Madison Square Garden / 2008)
The mood shifts from a party to a deep, soulful confession. When he starts to sing this classic hit, you can actually feel the floor shaking through the screen. It is one of Neil’s most loved songs because people relate to it so much. (Fun fact: He wrote this song in a struggling, depressive phase of his life.)
Neil knows how to make his crowd groove! From a party song to a song that makes you want to lean on a shoulder, Neil has the whole playlist.
Neil Diamond retired from touring in 2018 due to Parkinson’s. Seeing him here, at the absolute peak of his power in 2008, is a reminder of what a true legend looks like. Follow him to keep his legacy going!
