Brooklyn Roads

Album: Velvet Gloves and Spit (1967)
Charted: 58
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Songfacts®:

  • "Brooklyn Roads" was Neil Diamond's first single for MCA records. The song introduced an epic, storytelling, orchestrated sound that Diamond would become known for.
  • The song was released as a single by MCA at the same time Diamond's old record label, Bang, released "Red Red Wine" as a single.
  • Diamond performed this on his 2008 tour with video clips from his Brooklyn, New York childhood on the video screen. Neil got teary eyed singing it at Madison Square Garden in New York City (as well as many in the crowd,who's story echoes that of "Brooklyn Roads").
  • Fellow Brooklynite singer Jane Olivor covered this on her Safe Return album. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Micky - New York, NY, for all above

Comments: 10

  • Randy Ritchie from Lee’s Summit, MoThe best songwriters are vivid story tellers, and the very best can do it with only a few words - within the context of a pop song. They open up scenes in the mind that you might never contemplate on your own. Neil Diamond is one of those. I feel very fortunate to have grown up with his music, not to mention his wisdom.
  • Steve Smith from WeymouthThe imagery, the melody, the lyrics, the vocal, the instrumentation - all are simply perfect. Beautiful beyond words. A truly wonderful composition. I've loved it from the first time I heard it. It means everything to me.
  • Jerry In Glenville from Glenville, NyThe correct word in this title and lyrics is "Rows", not "Roads." There were no roads in Brooklyn in that area, there were city streets and avenues. There were, however, acres of Brooklyn Rows, or Row Houses, everywhere. Anyone growing up in Brooklyn there referred to those houses as "rows". He is clearly singing "And I looked out over those Brooklyn rows...."

    I believe it was overlooked and published by a careless producer as "Brooklyn Roads", because that's what his ears heard in the song, without giving it a second thought. By then it was too late, they were not going to admit such a mistake and change it.

    I have always heard "Brooklyn rows", and it makes perfect sense. Neil Diamond is a class act for not making a big deal of it, he clearly moved on, and that's fine, but in this digital age it's a pretty simple fix going forward, both in the song title, and in lyrics that are published online.
  • Shem from OzThis one. Oh God, it's pure nostalgia and sentiment and a catch in his voice - and it pierces something inside till a deep sigh comes out. I just feel as though I was there too.....
  • Jennifur SunDoes anyone know who played on this song? Thanks.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm {03-21-2018}...
    The Songwriters Hall of Fame announced Tuesday (March 20th, 2018) that their annual Johnny Mercer award (for a songwriter or songwriting team whose body of work is of such high quality and impact that it "upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer”) will go to Neil Diamond. Neil will receive the award June 14th, 2018 in New York City...
    Personal Note: "Brooklyn Roads", my favorite of all his great records!!!
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaBarry, wasn't to good of a student either. can totally related to the Dreamer in the story.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 5th 1968, "Brooklyn Roads" by Neil Diamond entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #98; three weeks later on May 26th, 1968 it would peak at #58 {for 2 weeks} and spent 6 weeks on the Top 100...
    Was track five of side one from his first MCA's UNI album, 'Velvet Gloves and Spit'...
    Two other tracks from the album also made the Top 100 chart; "Two-Bit Manchild" {#66} and "Sunday Sun" {#68}.
  • Susan from Atlanta, GeorgiaI absolutely love this song. Makes me homesick, and I'm not even from Brooklyn.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyGreat, great song!!! {My favorite Diamond record}.
    What young boy can't related to the lyrics: "And report cards I was
    always afraid to show, Mama'd come to
    school; And as I'd sit there softly
    crying, Teacher'd say, "He's just not
    trying; He's got a good head if he'd apply
    it" But you know yourself, It's always
    somewhere else." (Boy did they hit home with me!!!}
see more comments

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