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 did ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ not end up in this movie?” But here’s where it gets controversial: even the iconic 1981 patriotic anthem “America” was filmed for the grand concert finale but ultimately axed. “We shot it, but it was one song too many,” Brewer admits. “My producer was pretty mad—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.
So, what did make it into the film? The official soundtrack is a powerhouse lineup of Diamond’s greatest hits, including “Sweet Caroline,” “Forever in Blue Jeans,” and “I Am…I Said.” But this is 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 wove into the narrative. This spiritual number, titled after a variation of the Arabic greeting Salamah, became a centerpiece of the movie—a tribute to Diamond’s legacy and a call to love and fellowship. “It’s not the typical Neil Diamond song,” Brewer notes, “but it works so well. I want it to be the new graduation anthem.”
Now, let’s talk about the painful omissions. Aside from “America” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” other Diamond classics like “Love on the Rocks,” “September Morn,” and “Solitary Man” didn’t make the cut. Bold question: Did Brewer make the right call, or were there songs you wish had been included? Let’s spark some debate—which Neil Diamond tracks would you have prioritized? And while we’re at it, is “Soolaimon” truly the next graduation song? Share your thoughts below—this is one conversation that’s bound to hit all the right notes!
