"Longfellow Serenade" is the title of a 1974 song by the American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. It was written by Diamond, produced by Tom Catalano, and included on Diamond's album '' Serenade''. "Longfellow Serenade" spent two weeks at No. 5 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart in November 1974. Whitburn, Joel (2004). ''The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits'', 8th Edition (Billboard Publications), page 177. It was Diamond's second No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Easy Listening chart, following his 1972 single, "

Song Sung Blue "Song Sung Blue" is a 1972 hit song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. It was released on Diamond's album '' Moods'', and later appeared on many of Diamond's live and compilati ...

".Hyatt, Wesley (1999). ''The Billboard Book of No. 1 Adult Contemporary Hits'' (Billboard Publications), page 150. The song reached No. 1 in Switzerland and No. 2 in Germany. Diamond described "Longfellow Serenade" in the liner notes to his 1996 compilation album, ''In My Lifetime'': "Occasionally I like using a particular lyrical style which, in this case, lent itself naturally to telling the story of a guy who woos his woman with poetry." The title of the song is a reference to the 19th-century American poet

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator. His original works include " Paul Revere's Ride", '' The Song of Hiawatha'', and ''Evangeline''. He was the first American to completely tran ...

. Diamond chose to reference

Longfellow Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882) was an American poet and educator. His original works include "Paul Revere's Ride", ''The Song of Hiawatha'', and ''Evangeline''. He was the first American to completely transl ...

specifically after recalling an instance in which, while in his teens, Diamond had used one of the poet's works to successfully seduce a significantly older woman.Jackson, Laura (2005). ''Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion'' (ECW Press), page 112. '' Cash Box'' called it a "powerful up-tempo ballad" saying that "Neil handles the tune with his usual expertise and rich smooth vocal."

Chart history

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Cover versions

Petr Spálený – Velký Muž Serenád

References

External links