OnThisDay in 1972

Neil Diamond reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with the timeless hit “Song Sung Blue” — his second U.S. chart-topper and one of the most quietly powerful songs in his catalog.

Inspired by a melody from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, the track took classical elegance and transformed it into something profoundly simple, sweet, and deeply human. With its soft rhythm, singable chorus, and gentle melancholy, “Song Sung Blue” became a soft rock classic that resonated with millions.

“Me and you are subject to the blues now and then…”
That one line says it all — a nod to the emotional ups and downs we all face, delivered not with drama, but with understated empathy.

Far from flashy, the song’s brilliance lies in its humble universality. It doesn’t try to fix your sadness or mask it with glitter. Instead, it sits beside you, hums along, and reminds you that you’re not alone. That approach — gentle, honest, and grounded — is what made it a hit in 1972 and why it still lingers in listeners’ hearts more than 50 years later.

 A soft rock gem. A moment of musical tenderness. A reminder that even the blues can be sung with warmth.

“Song Sung Blue” proves that sometimes the most powerful songs are the simplest ones — and Neil Diamond remains a master of that quiet magic.