Who Sang "Song Sung Blue" with Neil Diamond
The song "Song Sung Blue" was performed as a duet by Neil Diamond and the American singer and pianist Linda Ronstadt. The track appears on Diamond's 1972 album "Moods" and features Ronstadt's vocals prominently in the chorus and bridge sections. The collaboration paired Diamond's pop-rock style with Ronstadt's distinctive country-rock and folk voice, creating a crossover hit that appealed to a broad adult contemporary audience. The pairing is documented in the album credits and liner notes for "Moods," which list Ronstadt as a featured vocalist on the track.
Linda Ronstadt, born in Tucson, Arizona, was a dominant figure in the 1970s music scene, with a string of hit albums and singles that spanned rock, country, and standards. Her work with Neil Diamond on "Song Sung Blue" came during a period when she was establishing herself as a versatile vocalist capable of interpreting material outside her usual rock and country repertoire. The duet version of the song is often cited in retrospectives of Ronstadt's career as an example of her ability to deliver intimate, melodic performances alongside major pop artists.
Chart Performance and Commercial Success
"Song Sung Blue" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, holding the top position for one week in 1972. The single also climbed to the top of the Billboard Easy Listening chart, demonstrating strong crossover appeal across pop and adult contemporary formats. Its chart run was supported by significant radio airplay and sales, making it one of Neil Diamond's biggest hits of the early 1970s. The song's success is frequently referenced in Billboard archives and music industry analyses of the era.
The commercial performance of "Song Sung Blue" contributed to the overall sales of the "Moods" album, which became a multi-platinum release. The single's ability to top both the Hot 100 and the Easy Listening charts highlighted the song's broad demographic reach, attracting listeners who typically did not follow Diamond's harder rock material. The track remains one of the most recognizable duets from the early 1970s pop landscape and is often included in compilations of Diamond's greatest hits.
Album and Release Details
The song was included on Neil Diamond's album "Moods," which was released in 1972 and produced by Tom Catalano. The album marked a shift in Diamond's sound, incorporating more ballad-oriented material and collaborative vocal performances, with "Song Sung Blue" serving as its lead single. The album's production quality and the inclusion of Ronstadt's vocals were noted by critics as key factors in its commercial and artistic success.
Over the decades, "Song Sung Blue" has been covered and referenced in various media, and the original recording remains a staple of classic rock and pop radio formats. The song is also available on major digital streaming platforms, where it continues to generate streams and downloads. For additional details on the song's history and chart data, see the Billboard chart archives at Billboard and the album information on the official Neil Diamond discography page at neildiamond.com.