Original Version of Red Red Wine
Red Red Wine was first recorded and released by Neil Diamond in 1967 as part of his album Just for You. The song was written, composed, and originally performed by Neil Diamond, with production handled by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich for Bang Records. This original version is widely cited by music databases and rights organizations as the first commercial release of the track, predating any cover by several years and establishing the core melody and lyrics later adapted by other artists. The original recording remains a key reference point in copyright databases and licensing catalogs used by streaming platforms and publishers worldwide. For details on Neil Diamond's catalog and rights management, you can check the official BMI repertory search at BMI Repertoire.
In the original Neil Diamond recording, Red Red Wine is presented as a solo vocal track with soft pop instrumentation, and the lyrics frame wine as a metaphor for coping with heartbreak. Music historians and label archives consistently credit Neil Diamond as the first artist to commercially release the song, and the original version is preserved in major digital libraries and physical discographies. The original release did not achieve major chart success at the time, but it entered the public record as the foundational version that later covers, including the famous reggae adaptation, were built upon. Rights societies such as ASCAP and BMI continue to list Neil Diamond as the original performer and songwriter in their public repertory data.
Neil Diamond's Red Red Wine in the Context of His Career
Neil Diamond released Red Red Wine during a period when he was establishing himself as a singer-songwriter in the late 1960s, with earlier hits like Solitary Man and Cherry Cherry helping to build his profile. The song appeared on his second studio album, Just for You, which was released under Bang Records and produced by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. While the single did not become a major chart hit in its original form, it became a staple of Diamond's catalog and is regularly referenced in retrospectives of his work by outlets such as Rolling Stone and AllMusic. Licensing data and streaming platforms continue to attribute the composition and first recording to Neil Diamond, reinforcing his status as the original artist in both editorial and rights-management contexts. You can explore Neil Diamond's official discography and licensing information on his verified artist page at Neil Diamond Official Site.
Music rights databases, including those maintained by ASCAP and BMI, list Neil Diamond as the composer and original performer of Red Red Wine, with the 1967 release documented in catalog entries used by streaming services and sync licensing platforms. The original version is often included in compilations and retrospectives that trace Diamond's songwriting evolution, and it serves as the baseline for any discussion of cover versions or adaptations. In the context of global music data, the original Neil Diamond recording is the reference point for ownership, royalty splits, and attribution when the song is played on radio, in films, or on digital services. These databases and industry standards ensure that the first artist and songwriter are consistently credited across platforms and territories.
Cover Versions, Chart Success, and Modern Streaming Data
The most commercially successful version of Red Red Wine was recorded by UB40, who released it as a single in 1983 and later included it on their album Labour of Love. UB40's reggae-tinged adaptation reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1988 and topped charts in multiple countries, making it the version most associated with the song in popular culture. Despite the global success of the UB40 cover, original songwriting credits and master recording rights continue to point to Neil Diamond, with publishing royalties typically split according to the original composition and any subsequent arrangements. Streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music list Neil Diamond as the original artist and UB4