Neil Diamond’s “Cherry, Cherry” (1966): The Breakout Hit That Sparked a Career
“Cherry, Cherry,” a catchy and high-energy track written and performed by Neil Diamond, became a defining hit in 1966 and solidified his place in the music industry. Originally recorded in early 1966 as a demo, the song was produced by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who also added distinctive backing vocals and clapping to its arrangement. Artie Butler contributed the organ work, and session guitarist Al Gorgoni added layers that would enhance the song’s signature sound. Interestingly, Diamond has said that “Cherry, Cherry” was inspired by a past relationship with an older woman, giving the song a unique personal edge.
When the single was released, it quickly climbed to No. 6 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Cash Box chart, marking Diamond’s first big hit. The song was later lauded by Rolling Stone
In 1973, a live version of “Cherry, Cherry” was released from Diamond’s Hot August Night album. Billboard praised the new take, describing the live version as having a fresh energy that made it “almost a different song.” This live version made its mark, peaking at No. 24 on the Cash Box chart and No. 31 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Two main versions of “Cherry, Cherry” have been released. The familiar version was recorded as a demo in January 1966, released by Bang Records, while an alternative take with different lyrics, initially intended for release, finally saw the light in 1996 on Diamond’s compilation album In My Lifetime
Lyrics
Baby loves me, yes, yes she does
Ah, the girl’s outta sight, yeah
Says she loves me, yes, yes she does
Mmm, gonna show me tonight, yeah
Hey, she got the way to move me, Cherry
(She got the way to groove me)
(She got the way to move me)
Cherry, baby
(She got the way to groove me)
All right
Tell your mama, girl, I can’t stay long
We got things we gotta catch up on
Mmm, you know, you know what I’m sayin’
Can’t stand still while the music is playin’
Hey, all right
Y’ain’t got no right, no, no you don’t
Ah, to be so exciting
Won’t need bright lights, no, no we won’t
Gonna make our own lightning
Hey, she got the way to move me, Cherry
(She got the way to groove me)
Cherry, baby
(She got the way to move me) Uh huh
(She got the way to groove me)
No, we won’t tell a soul where we gone to
Girl, we do whatever we want to
Ah, I love the way that you do me
Cherry, babe, you really get to me
Hey, she got the way to move me, Cherry
(She got the way to groove me)
Cherry baby
All right
(She got the way to groove me) Cherry
(She got the way to grove me) Yeah, seeAdvertisement
