Multiple Versions Monday: Solitary Man
Six Different Versions Of Neil Diamond's Classic
Hello. Happy Monday. Hope all of the dads had a wonderful Sunday with much love bestowed upon you.
Apologies for the late publish today. It’s been QUITE the Monday!
It’s been a few weeks, but I’m making a return to my multiple versions of a given song sharing, so let’s dive right in!
Solitary Man
This week I’m sharing six, rather than the usual five versions, of Neil Diamond’s 1966 classic! Why six? Well, I HAD to share the Johnny Cash rendition, so I added an extra version, in order to make sure I showcased my favorites.
The Playlists
Listen with Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/multiple-versions-solitary-man/pl.u-DdAN0ReI0Ver3pR
Listen with Tidal (Missing Tracy Grammer)
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/d4e7176d-267b-4eac-9ce2-dab42a2d4acd
Which version is your favorite? I’m a huge Neil Diamond fan, so I think the original is aces. But I also love both the Chris Isaak and Crooked Fingers versions. Chime in with your thoughts, please!
This is the first time I can recall where I haven't been familiar with the original song. What a terrific
expression of stubborn manliness, and manly stubbornness. My advice to the narrator . . . maybe it's not them, maybe its you. 😜
To the countdown:
6) Tracy Grammer.
I'm sorry Ms Grammer, but you're out of your depth here. You seem like the type who responds to a breakup by eating a gallon of ice cream, watching a Hallmark Channel movie mararthon, and then adopting a puppy. This song is for people who plop down at their local barstool, slam a dozen shots of Jack, mutter incoherently about "bitches, man", and spend the night in jail after a scrap with an off duty cop.
5) Johnny Cash
Maybe I'm expecting too much. Johnny plays it pretty close to the original. But he can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond. No one can. With that deep, gruff voice he coulda shoulda taken the song in a darker, more desolate direction.
4) Crooked Fingers
Bluegrassing it up works as a concept, and this is overall a good, worthwhile version. That oompah beer hall brass part in the arrangement kind of sullies it a bit, for me. "But Neil's version had horns. . . "
You can't Neil Diamond better than Neil Diamond.
3) Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond falls into the category of someone I can respect more than I enjoy (sorry Mallie ;) but he does what he does like no one else. His trademark big sweeping chorus makes the song. There's just the right balance of desperation and resignation in his voice when he goes from "play games behind me" to "I'll be what I am". I dont love the horn arrangement, but that's just an aesthetic preference. It integrates with the song nicely.
2) The Doughboys
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The overall tone and vibe of this tune maps wonderfully to an angry rocker arrangement. This one truly sounds like a guy who just got dumped, more than any of the others. Double shot of Jack over here, STAT.
1) Chris Isaak
I wanted to hate this version, so very much. I queued it up with the express intent of hate listening.
Look Chris, we've all seen you shirtless in the "Wicked Game" video. No one's buying that you are getting dumped by women on the regular.
But . . . goddamn this one is just too good. That quiet desperation and anguish in his voice is the yin to The Doughboys angry yang. Instead of a cheesy horn arrangement, it has a cello (?) adding some melancholy texture underneath the beat. So subtle, and so perfect. There isn't anything I can find to nitpick about. Its the Platonic ideal of what this song can be.
I like the original, but the Crooked Fingers version is sure giving it a run for it's money!