"Holly Holy" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond with instrumental backing provided by the

American Sound Studio The American Sound Studio was a recording studio located in Memphis, Tennessee which operated from 1964 to 1972. Founded by Chips Moman, the studio at 827 Thomas Street came to be known as American North, and the studio at 2272 Deadrick Street c ...

house band in Memphis. Released as a single on October 13, 1969, it was a successful follow-on to " Sweet Caroline", reaching #6 on the U.S. pop singles chart by December. p. 88. The song also reached #5 on the Easy Listening chart. It became a

gold record Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au (from la, aurum) and atomic number 79. This makes it one of the higher atomic number elements that occur naturally. It is a bright, slightly orange-yellow, dense, soft, malleable, and ductile me ...

and then eventually a platinum record. A work with a spiritual focus, "Holly Holy" was influenced by gospel music and was Diamond's favorite of the songs he had written to that point. pp. 65–66. "Holly Holy" was later included on Diamond's November 1969 album '' Touching You, Touching Me''. It has been included in live versions on Diamond's '' Hot August Night'' (from 1972) and '' Greatest Hits: 1966–1992'' (from 1992) as well as various compilations.

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Other versions

Produced by Clancy Eccles in 1970, the song was an instant success for Jamaican

reggae Reggae () is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term also denotes the modern popular music of Jamaica and its diaspora. A 1968 single by Toots and the Maytals, " Do the Reggay" was the first popular song to use ...

group the Fabulous Flames, almost crossing into the UK's popular music chart. The song was covered by

Nancy Sinatra Nancy Sandra Sinatra (born June 8, 1940) is an American singer and actress. She is the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra ( Barbato), and is best known for her 1966 signature hit " These Boots Are Made for Walkin'. Nancy Sinatr ...

and released on her album '' Shifting Gears'' in 2013.

In popular culture

The song was used in Mike Flanagan's

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miniseries ''

Midnight Mass In many Western Christian traditions Midnight Mass is the first liturgy of Christmastide that is celebrated on the night of Christmas Eve, traditionally beginning at midnight when Christmas Eve gives way to Christmas Day. This popular Christmas ...

'' during a montage in the third episode. Additionally, it was played live in concert at the end of the 2001 film '' Saving Silverman'' during the end credits scene by Neil Diamond (as himself) and the main cast members (in character). It was also featured in the

Kevin James Kevin George Knipfing (born April 26, 1965), better known by his stage name Kevin James, is an American comedian and actor. In television, James played Doug Heffernan on ''The King of Queens'' from 1998 to 2007, and receieved a Primetime Emmy ...

film '' Here Comes the Boom'' as James's character's entrance song.

References

External links

* 1969 singles 1971 singles Neil Diamond songs Songs written by Neil Diamond Junior Walker songs Uni Records singles 1969 songs Song recordings produced by Tom Catalano {{1960s-pop-song-stub