Holly Holy
1969 single by Neil Diamond
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"Holly Holy" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond with instrumental backing provided by the American Sound Studio house band in Memphis. Released as a single on October 13, 1969,[1] it was a successful follow up to "Sweet Caroline", reaching #6 on the U.S. pop singles chart by December.[2][3] The song also reached #5 on the Easy Listening chart.[4] It became a gold record and then eventually a platinum record.[1]
4:40 (album version)
| "Holly Holy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by Neil Diamond | ||||
| from the album Touching You, Touching Me | ||||
| B-side | "Hurtin' You Don't Come Easy" | |||
| Released | October 13, 1969 | |||
| Genre | Pop, soft rock | |||
| Length | 4:27 (single version) 4:40 (album version) | |||
| Label | Uni | |||
| Songwriter | Neil Diamond | |||
| Producers | Tom Catalano, Tommy Cogbill | |||
| Neil Diamond singles chronology | ||||
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While it is a love song, it also has a spiritual focus.[5] Its storyline and style were influenced by gospel music.[1] The first lyrics are sung by Diamond alone. But in the second verse, a gospel choir is accompanying him as the song builds in intensity. Later lyrics echo a Bible story: "Touch a man who can't walk upright and that lame man, he's gonna fly."[6]
Record World predicted the song "will be as famous as its author and constant hitmaker."[7] It was Diamond's favorite of the songs he had written to that point.[3]
"Holly Holy" was later included on Diamond's November 1969 album Touching You, Touching Me.[1] It has been included in live versions on Diamond's Hot August Night (from 1972) and Greatest Hits: 1966–1992 (from 1992) as well as various compilations.
Chart history
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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