Hugh Jackman and Neil Diamond shared epic karaoke moment
Hugh Jackman reveals how Neil Diamond’s music shaped his life and led to an unforgettable friendship after making “Song Sung Blue.”
One of the bonuses of making “Song Sung Blue” filled with Neil Diamond songs is how astonishingly prolific the globally beloved singer-songwriter was during his five decades of recording and performing.
On the downside, faced with such an embarrassment of riches, writer-director Craig Brewer had to make the impossible call over which Diamond classics would NOT make the 2-hour-13-minute drama starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as the real-life tribute duo Lightning & Thunder.
“The most difficult thing for me was that I had Neil Diamond’s whole catalog,” Brewer tells USA TODAY. “That was so hard. To this day I can’t believe ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” is not in this movie. We didn’t have the room.”
Besides cutting a new version of the famed “Flowers” duet with Barbra Streisand, Brewer had to axe Diamond’s iconic patriotic 1981 song “America,” which was lavishly shot for the “Song Sung Blue” grand concert finale sequence.
“Let me tell you this, America: we did film ‘America,’ ” Brewer says. “We shot it for the finale, but that would have been one song too many. And we decided we’re not going to use it. My producer was pretty mad because he loves that song. And so do I.”
It’s not completely gone. Brewer promises a “fantastic performance of ‘America,’ ” performed by Jackman and Hudson on stage, as an extra on the eventual Blu-ray release.
What Neil Diamond songs are in ‘Song Sung Blue’?
The official movie soundtrack lists this power line-up of Neil Diamond songs.
“Cherry, Cherry” – Hugh Jackman ft. Kate Hudson”I’m a Believer” – Hugh Jackman ft. Kate Hudson”Forever In Blue Jeans – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson””Sweet Caroline” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson”Play Me” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson (a movie high point)”Crunchy Granola Suite” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson”Holly Holy” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson”I Am…I Said” – Hugh Jackman”Soolaimon”/”Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson (from the grand finale)”Song Sung Blue” – Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson
Soundtrack versions are different from the film in some cases. For example, Jackman sings “Song Sung Blue” solo twice during the movie.
The film also features snippets of the original Diamond recording of “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “O Holy Night.”
So what Neil Diamond songs are NOT in ‘Song Sung Blue’?
Other than “America” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” here are other painful Diamond misses:
“Love on the Rocks”: The song, which peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981, is one of Diamond’s most covered heartbreak songs.”September Morn”: Hugely popular late-’70s hit.”Hello Again”: Staple Diamond track.”Desirée”: We’d desire to see that.”Solitary Man”: Classic!”Kentucky Woman”: Maybe hard to fit into a Milwaukee movie.”If You Know What I Mean”: A 1976 smash.What is ‘Soolaimon’? Why does it dominate ‘Song Sung Blue’
In “Song Sung Blue,” Milwaukee musician Mike Sardina (Jackman) is obsessed with playing Diamond’s song “Soolaimon,” a spiritual number titled after a variation of the Arabic greeting, Salamah.
Working the deep cut into the movie became Brewer’s obsession to honor Diamond, 84, who retired from performing after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“It’s such an interesting choice for Neil. I’d love to ask him about that song, this call to love and fellowship,” says Brewer. “It’s not the type of song you’d associate with Neil Diamond, but it really works. I want ‘Soolaimon’ to be the new graduation song for high school.”