America (Neil Diamond song)

"America" is a song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond, released in 1980 on the soundtrack album of Diamond's film The Jazz Singer. The song was a hit single in the United States in 1981, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Diamond's sixth number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.^[1] Billboard also rated it the #62 pop single overall for 1981.^[2] Although the single version was a studio recording, overdubs of crowd cheering simulate the feel of a live performance.

"America"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album The Jazz Singer soundtrack
B-side	"Songs of Life"
Released	April 1981
Recorded	1980
Genre	Pop
Length	3:27 (single version) 4:19 (album version)
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Neil Diamond
Producer(s)	Bob Gaudio
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Hello Again" (1981) "America" (1981) "Yesterday's Songs" (1981)

As of June 2017^[update], the song had sold 634,440 downloads in the United States since Nielsen started tracking sales.^[3]

Background

The song's theme is a positive interpretation of the history of immigration to the United States, during both the early 1900s and the present. Combining Diamond's powerful melody, dynamic arrangement, and bombastic vocal, it ends with an interpolation of the traditional patriotic song "My Country, 'Tis of Thee".

In Diamond's concerts, the song is a very popular number both at home and abroad, with a large United States flag often displayed from the rafters on cue to the lyric "Every time that flag's unfurled / They're coming to America."^{[citation needed]} The song was featured at the Stone Mountain Laser Show near Atlanta, Georgia.^[4]

The song has been used in a number of contexts, including as a theme song for Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign, the ending scene from Born in East L.A., and in promotion of the 1996 Olympics. Diamond also sang it at the centennial re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty^[5] and at Ball Arena in Denver on New Year's Eve 1999.^[6]

Shortly after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Diamond modified the lyrics to "America" slightly during live performances. Instead of "They're comin' to America," toward the end it became "Stand up for America."^[7][8] It was included on a memorandum listing songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel Communications following the September 11 attacks.^[9]

Reception

Record World said that "Rumbling drums and Diamond's dramatic, upbeat vocal will incite waves of patriotic surges."^[10]

Chart history

Weekly charts Chart (1981) Peak position Canada RPM Top Singles[11] 45 Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[12] 15 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[13] 8 U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary[14] 1 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[15] 10

Year-end charts Chart (1981) Rank U.S. Billboard Hot 100[16] 62 U.S. Cash Box [17] 61

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[18]	Silver	200,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover version

New-age pianist David Lanz performed a cover of this song for his album Finding Paradise.^[19]

See also

• List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1981 (U.S.)