"Song Sung Blue" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. Initially released as a single from Diamond's 1972 album Moods, the song later appeared on many of his live and compilation albums. The song hit the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in July, and spent twelve weeks in the top 40. On the UK Singles Chart, the song peaked at No. 14.
History "Song Sung Blue" was Diamond's second No. 1 hit in the U.S., after 1970's "Cracklin' Rosie", and to date his last solo No. 1 song (he had a No. 1 duet with Barbra Streisand in 1978, with "You Don't Bring Me Flowers").Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of #1 Hits, 5th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 314. In addition, "Song Sung Blue" spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.Hyatt, Wesley (1999). The Billboard Book of #1 Adult Contemporary Hits (Billboard Publications), page 108. The song has become one of Diamond's standards, and he often performs it during concerts.
"Song Sung Blue" was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1973, for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Both awards that year were won by Roberta Flack's rendition of Ewan MacColl's song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".
Cash Box said of it that "the song gives the phrase 'Everybody, sing!' new meaning." Record World said that it has "simply some of the best and most commercial soft sounds on the contemporary scene."
Diamond described "Song Sung Blue" in the liner notes to his 1996 compilation album, In My Lifetime, as a "very basic message, unadorned. I didn't even write a bridge to it. I never expected anyone to react to "Song Sung Blue" the way they did. I just like it, the message and the way a few words said so many things."
Later uses The song inspired the title of a 2008 documentary about a Neil Diamond tribute performer who was married to a Patsy Cline tribute performer. The documentary was in turn adapted into a 2025 feature film of the same name, directed by Craig Brewer and starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson.
Chart history
Weekly charts Chart (1972)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)5Canada RPM Adult Contemporary9Canada RPM Top Singles2New Zealand (Listener)https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=3692#n_view_location search Listener1South Africa (Springbok)5UK14U.S. Cash Box Top 1001
Year-end charts Chart (1972)RankCanada (RPM) 19Switzerland 7U.S. Billboard Hot 10026U.S. Cash Box 24
Certifications
Cover versions
Andy Williams released a version in 1972 on his album Alone Again (Naturally).
Hot Butter released a version in 1972 on their album Hot Butter.
Johnny Paycheck released a version in 1972 on his album Somebody Loves Me.
Sacha Distel recorded the song in French as "Chanson Bleue".
British new wave band Altered Images released a version in 1982 on the album Pinky Blue.
Bobby Darin performed the song in 1972 during his summer television show, and his version was included on the 2004 album Aces Back to Back.
Frank Sinatra also recorded a version on his Trilogy album (1980).
The Nolan Sisters recorded a version which is on their 1978 20 Giant Hits album.
References
External links