Red Red Wine -- Neil Diamond -vs- UB40

[NurseJackie]

"Red Red Wine" is a song originally written, performed, and recorded by American singer Neil Diamond in 1967. It is included on Neil's second studio album, Just for You. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a person who finds that drinking red wine is the only way to forget his woes.

The song was covered by several artists shortly after Diamond's recording was released. In 1968, the Dutch singer Peter Tetteroo (from the band Tee Set) had a hit with a cover of the song in Netherlands. Tony Tribe covered the song in 1969 in a reggae-influenced style. In 1983, UB40 recorded the best known version of the song, in a lighter reggae style. The UB40 version topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Diamond later performed a UB40-inspired version of the song while on tour.

WHICH VERSION DO YOU LIKE THE BEST?

5 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Neil Diamond
	3 (60%)
	UB40
	2 (40%)
	I can't decide, I like both versions.
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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[Doreen]

1. It is kind of funny when there

are remakes of songs by different singers or bands and you like them better than the original singer or bands that released them in the first place. There are several songs that I like the remakes of better.

[2naSalit]

2. Neil Diamond

always sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard to me, there's not one song he ever did that I would like his version of.

[NurseJackie]

3. Thank you... I'm glad someone said it! He and...

... Michael Bolton make me cringe.

[2naSalit]

6. ditto on

Michael Bolton too!

[nocoincidences]

4. When it comes to songs about wine...

the Siegel Schwall classic: "I Think It Was The Wine" just can't be beat.

It Must Have Been the Wine

I drank so much wine last night
My tonsils were starting to float;
I think somebody musta held my nose
And poured it down my throat.
Or maybe it's the lack of sleep
That makes me feel like I'm dyin'
Or maybe it was the greasy pizza,
But I think it was the wine.

I've always been a pacifist
I've been known to run from a fight.
I never hit anybody with a 2 x 4
Until last night.
Maybe my ascendant wasn't properly
In my right sign;
Or maybe there was a full moon
But I think it was the wine.
I've always been careful
Where I bedded down.
Last night I thought I scored an angel
And I woke up with a circus clown.
It might have been love sweet love
That made me so blind
Or it might have been plain old lust
But I think it was the wine.

My Daddy said a couple of beers are OK
But that wine is just no good.
It'll make you do things you shouldn't
And forget the things you should.
Last night I lost my coat, my car, my keys
And I didn't make it home on time.
My baby thinks it's another woman
But I think it was the wine.

[2naSalit]

7. Cool.

My ex's brother and Corky were good friends back when I was in the gang. He had a little "night club" place in the next town over.

[stonecutter357]

5. UB40 !

[MountCleaners]

8. Neil Diamond for me

Although it's not my favorite Neil Diamond song. I have fond memories of traveling around the country to the sound of Neil Diamond tapes. But Red, Red Wine was never a great song to begin with. I prefer Cracklin' Rosie.

As for reggae, I'm deep into the real stuff, so I'll pass on UB40. They were always too commercial for me.