Imagine having to choose which Neil Diamond classics to leave out of a movie celebrating his legendary career. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but you can only pick a few treats—talk about a bittersweet dilemma! That’s exactly what writer-director Craig Brewer faced when crafting Song Sung Blue, the 2-hour-13-minute drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as the real-life tribute duo Lightning & Thunder. With Neil Diamond’s astonishingly vast catalog spanning five decades, Brewer had the unenviable task of deciding which songs wouldn’t make the cut—a decision that even left him questioning, “How could we possibly leave out ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’?” But here’s where it gets even more surprising: even the iconic 1981 anthem “America” didn’t make it into the final film, despite being lavishly filmed for the grand concert finale. “We shot it, but it was one song too many,” Brewer admits. “My producer was pretty upset—and so was I.” Fear not, though—fans can look forward to a “fantastic performance” of “America” by Jackman and Hudson as a Blu-ray extra.
Now, let’s dive into what did make it. The official soundtrack is a powerhouse lineup of Diamond’s greatest hits, including “Cherry, Cherry,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “I Am…I Said.” But here’s the part most people miss: the film also features snippets of Diamond’s original recordings, like “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “O Holy Night.” And then there’s “Soolaimon,” a deep cut that Brewer obsessively worked into the movie as a tribute to Diamond’s spiritual side. “It’s not a typical Neil Diamond song, but it works so beautifully,” Brewer says. “I’d love to see it become the new graduation anthem.”
But what about the songs that didn’t make it? Beyond “America” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” there are painful omissions like “Love on the Rocks,” a heartbreak classic that peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “September Morn,” a late-’70s fan favorite. Even staples like “Hello Again” and “Solitary Man” were left on the cutting room floor. And this is the part that sparks debate: Was it the right call to prioritize lesser-known tracks like “Soolaimon” over these chart-topping hits?
Brewer’s choices undoubtedly reflect his vision, but they also invite us to rethink how we celebrate an artist’s legacy. Should a tribute focus on the most popular songs, or should it dig deeper into their catalog? And what does it say about Neil Diamond’s impact that even his lesser-known works resonate so strongly? Let’s keep the conversation going—what Neil Diamond song would you have fought to include? And do you think “Soolaimon” deserves its spotlight in Song Sung Blue? Share your thoughts below!
