About the song
“America” is a poignant and powerful song written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond. Released in 1980, the track featured on the soundtrack album for Diamond’s film *The Jazz Singer*. In 1981, “America” became a major hit in the United States, peaking at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Diamond his sixth number one spot on the Adult Contemporary chart. Billboard also ranked it as the 62nd biggest pop single for that year. Notably, the single version of “America” was a studio recording enhanced with overdubs of crowd cheering to emulate the energy of a live performance.
The song’s lyrics celebrate the history of immigration to the United States, highlighting both the early 1900s wave of immigrants and those arriving in more contemporary times. This theme of hope and aspiration is underscored by Diamond’s stirring melody, dynamic arrangement, and his robust, emotive vocal delivery. The song crescendos with an interpolation of the patriotic anthem “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” adding to its inspirational tone.
“America” has maintained its popularity over the decades, becoming a staple in Neil Diamond’s concerts both domestically and internationally. A hallmark of live performances of this song is the dramatic display of a large United States flag, timed to the lyric “Every time that flag’s unfurled / They’re coming to America.” This visual and auditory synergy underscores the song’s celebratory message.
The song has found its place in various cultural and political contexts. It was used as a theme song for Michael Dukakis’s 1988 presidential campaign and was prominently featured in the promotions for the 1996 Olympics. Diamond also performed “America” at significant national events, such as the centennial re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty and at Ball Arena in Denver on New Year’s Eve 1999.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Diamond adapted the song’s lyrics for live performances, changing “They’re comin’ to America” to “Stand up for America” to reflect the country’s resilience and unity in the face of tragedy. Despite its initial inclusion on a memorandum listing songs deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel Communications post-9/11, “America” continues to resonate as an anthem of hope and pride.
As of June 2017, the song had achieved impressive sales, with 634,440 downloads in the United States, a testament to its enduring appeal. “America” remains a quintessential Neil Diamond song, capturing the spirit of a nation and the dreams of those who see it as a land of opportunity.
Video
Lyrics
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We’ve been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star
Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again
They’re coming to America
Home
Don’t it seem so far away
Oh, we’re traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
Home
To a new and a shiny place
Make our bed and we’ll say our grace
Freedom’s light burning warm
Freedom’s light burning warm
Everywhere around the world
They’re coming to America
Every time that flag’s unfurled
They’re coming to America
Got a dream to take them there
They’re coming to America
Got a dream they’ve come to share
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
Today, today
Today, today, today
My country ’tis of thee (today)
Sweet land of liberty (today)
Of thee I sing (today)
Of thee I sing
Today, today, today
Today, today, (today, today)