Neil Diamond Brooklyn Roads

[luvtopaint1]

Thanks so much for putting this up. It takes me back to my teenage years. I think this is Neil's most poignant beautiful and poignant song to date.

[brainsareus]

this great tune, has got some hellacious good orquestration. and, this is all well before computers.

[brainsareus]

@brainsareus [just a test]

[jimamia77]

Pre-gentrified brooklyn was magic! It was an affordable mecca for the millions! When you combine too many people of so many cultures together, wonderful creations happen! Countless stories of humanity occurred here! As far as Brooklyn is concerned, gentrification is just a small chapter of the ongoing existence of Brooklyn!! We die off! Brooklyn lives on! GO! Brooklyn!!

[LesP56]

Fabulous song. Great vocals. Great story. Great music. Just wonderful.

[anya933]

"The smell of cooking in the hallways", just one of the downsides of living in a flat. I love this song, thanks for posting it. x

[brainsareus]

@anya933 depends on the smell, and what you like in food,don't you think ?

[thechurchac]

love this song. Thanks

[smorrisby]

@ JessieSmits @here4family So so true!

[gary1961]

The lyrics and the music are so atmospheric. I've never been to Brooklyn, but when I listen to this, it's as if I'm there experiencing it. Brilliant.

[tomthefunky]

Brooklyn people are almost as cool as Queens people. Not quite, though.

[brainsareus]

so beautiful,i want to cry.... the deserted coney island boardwalk takes me back..man oh man.

[MrMars128]

It's really called Brooklyn Rows! It pertains to the rows of housing that was prevalent during Diomonds childhood!

[Josephpalmer2000]

A beautiful song. At 3.30 in the picture of the Brooklyn Bridge in the upper left there appears to be an object in the sky that doesn't look like a plane or even a blimp?

[Joannegmurphy]

great video, too---really brings back memories of my childhood, thanks

[dadadruma]

halfway through the second verse when he sings about report cards hed hide and

then the teacher telling his parents he has a good head if hed apply it

that was before hyperactivity ADD whatever its called, ADD was relevant in those days but was never diagnosed nor treated. this song touches so many areas to how i grew up as well.

brilliant!!

[wills6268]

This song is one every person can relate to - we all had a childhood, school, family, loss, happiness and friends. Reminiscing via a song so beautifully sung and written is the best ode to every person on the planet - celebrating simple past and unknown future - a fine song from a fine singer.

[crazyme1957]

I like the way you made this it fits the song to a tee.

[9erfandex]

Still my all time fave from the Neil Diamond catalog, and the pictures were just plain outByGodstanding! Thanks jennert for the eye popping visuals and sweet sounding audio, just dynamite! "Got a good head if he'd apply it, BUT, you know yourself, he's always somewhere else", oh HELL YEAH, I can relate! Thanks jennert, You Tube, and Brill Building Graduate Emeritus: Neil Diamond!

[medina2730]

Still holding on to the Castles with dragons and kings and, ocassionally, still ridiing off with them. Although no longer looking down on those roads, I hope someone else dream the dreams as they look... .

[poldarkify]

sweet ,thank you

[Jimgymbod]

I am from Brooklyn..South Brooklyn Red Hook Park Slope area but now am in Florida. Dad has been gone for over 10 yrs..Mom is in the last stages of vascular dementia at 94. I remember the butcher up the street box ball stick ball and climbing stair to get home. It feel as good now as it did then...I realized all we really have on this planet is memories. You take nothing else with you..but those Brooklyn roads live on with in us all

[ATamandua]

Beautiful use of french horn and, yes, harmonica on this one. (A mouth harp as poignant as that evokes (to me) a lonely prairie in North Dakota or Oklahoma or somewhere - wonderful that he used it to describe in music America's largest city).

[60fatman]

One of his best to be sure. Youth, what a waste we thought we had it so bad and now we long to return to a better time and place

[EjandNateGlitches1]

Brooklyn (New York City) changes every 6 months.Thats why Neil said in his other song I am I said " New Yorks not mine any more"

[2fzweb]

...beautiful.

They don't write these kinda music no more...

[JJLBRUIN99]

YOU CAN LEAVE BROOKLYN BUT BROOKLYN NEVER LEAVES YOU. I WILL ALWAYS BE FROM BROOKLYN AND WILL ALWAYS BE PROUD OF IT! JERRY

[17865329]

Bit of a lost gem from Diamond, a hit, but not one of his biggest, still very nice tune.

[spsc1]

JessieSmits - I completely understand what you are saying. We didnt have much but it never occured to us that we were poor. Oh to be a child again and have another chance to be with my happy family. We lost my dad 3 years ago and things have not been the same since. This song brings back such very happy memories.

[honypoboy]

It was a time of fathers. Not baby daddys. When fathers were someone you saw to everyday. Not someone you wondered if you ever would see at all. Love was something you held your heart. Not something you heard of in a song.

[spsc1]

@honypoboy AMEN

[ilikeyouallot]

Neil Diamond is greatest memories from childhood and youth, i do remember multiple images and sensations at all times i heard this very original music. What is more there was a really sweet Caroline. she was so sweet.

[lcr1955]

One of his most underrated songs. Not even a Top 40 song. Oh, and how about Neil's long overdue induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame????

[alandhopewell]

I haven't heard this song in years...it reminds me of my childhood, and my young adulthood, when I had this record.

[4eva68]

Yes...

Great tune.

Thanks...

[Biafrei]

There's no other place in the world like Brooklyn, would you marry me Neil?

[tenaciousharmonizer]

walk across the brooklyn bridge sometime if you want a real experience ,you feel a part of the city when you do.

[tenaciousharmonizer]

my brother lives in brooklyn i hang out there some no other place like it in the world, it is a special place, cool.

[geggae]

remember this song on a sunday morning in Jamaica as a kid...beautiful

[brstallings]

here4family. You SAID IT!!

[here4family]

Whether you live in Brooklyn or some out of the way hick town, this song grasps at the heartstrings of one's youth and makes them stop and ponder over their years of youthful innocence and vigor in such a melancholy manner.

One of his best.

[D33veeoss]

@here4family It's his ability to jampack that type of emotion ... and force to experience the emotion in his songs....that makes him so great. If you had this in your house growing up, in the late 70s early 80s, you'll experience this differently than if you just found it, but either way, Neil will take you there.

[biankajeg]

terrific! thanks for sharing :)

[korkeycat]

So so much emotionion all ND songs, i f****in luv him n his fantastic music *****

[ab00007]

I saw Brooklyn.

I like N. Diamond with this song and Mort Shuman Brooklyn by the sea.

I like both.

[MagnJas]

Still one of my all-time favorite ND songs. I grew up with his music and know/own nearly all of it. Thanks for the post and reminding me of who I am..

[rob262]

that's wonderful for you.....

i've never been to the USofA, but my sister and bro-in-law visited NY for the first time on a world holiday earlier this year.......they said they were fascinated by Brooklyn, and they walked the Brooklyn Bridge.

a great song, loved the part at 1:58 and then the harmonica piece.

its fascinating looking at these photos. thanks to Jennert for showing this.

[smfournier10]

oooh the imagination

[Oldiesbuff925]

I was born and raised in Bensonhurst Brooklyn, and remianed there until I left in 2001. Neil is my all time fav male recording artist, and this song is right up there and reminiscent of all things past. These pics are old, but quite notceable..

[tonycopies]

thank you.

[KerryGrl]

I grew up in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, just like Neil. The Diamonds were known in the hood. This wonderful vid coupled with Neil's very personal song is so wonderful. Thank you.

[flewhuey]

I've worn a canyon in each of my albums where this song is. Dunno how it played on the radio then; I never cared because, no different from today, the players chose the winners.  I was either in flight school or in 'NAM anyway. Neil didn't get much play on AFVN. But he made my life a lot better when I got back ! He really did help me find the strength to suffer the long nights it took to get thru architecture school.

[surfside48]

I can't remember, but does anyone remember when this song was first recorded? What year? I can almost remember hearing it on AFRN radio on the Navy ship headed to Vietnam in early 1968. I never lived in Brooklyn, but it reminded me of my small town in upstate NY. It wasn't even listed as A Top 40 hit on the Billboards Charts.

[ThePwog]

This is one of my favorites to.  Love me some Neil!

[koreateacher96]

He's sung some great stuff...but I really think this is the BEST!!

[n2uid01]

Close your eyes and you can see his life and yours possibly being the same.

[jekiwe]

super tribute to his hometown...we will always love you Neil

[anticorpration]

Where I live, and where I will stay! <3 !

[djanchovy]

Me too! Brooklyn sucks.

[anticorpration]

I meant Brooklyn is where I live and where I will stay. There are sucky spots, but not all of it is that way to me.

[djanchovy]

I've never in my whole life seen a place where there is so much garbage everywhere. Littering is a huge problem here.

[legman29]

good ole Flatbush avenue'

[TheMuntsa]

Neil, tus canciones me recuerdan mi juventud, no me canso de escucharte.

[westforkcreek]

I've been looking for this one. Almost missed it. One of my favorites. Doesn't this jog your memories.

[jimwalsh2001]

Magnificent.

[brstallings]

I love this song, he talks about my child hood. Every one els' as well. My Booklyn Raods were in St.Louis.

[chucknchar]

Wow, phucking wow! My own life flashed before my face, except for the names and a few other changes the story is the same one.

[Drewtazy]

Great song and thanks for the slide show.

[GipsyQueen1234]

Ohh I love Brooklyn. I live here and Im lovin' it!!

[chengloki]

Sorry, Gipsy, I hated brooklyn! That's why I live in Hawai'i now. You have no idea. The people here are familly! I live a block from a beach. The beautiful blue ocean. You keep New York, I'll take Waianae, any day. =Stefan=

[briativa]

I loooove this song!!! i loooove Neil Diamond!!!!

[dingobutton]

Neil is a great songwriter and performer. No matter what mood you are in he has a song for it.

[JessieSmits]

Don't we all remember our own "Brooklyn Roads" , the kids who grew up in similar towns and cities around the world (mine was Amsterdam). The smells, the memories around every street corner, struggling inside that old school buiding, parents struggling to raise a decent income...we never noticed and were soooo happy. A truly universal song!!

[koreateacher96]

So true! My hometown was only about 30,000 strong, but it was mine. I'm still in touch with a couple of old friends.

[bishopaz]

wow,my sentiments exactly.

[webmail111]

i just walked through my "Brooklyn Roads" by

typing "75 via nuova provinciale Chiunzi, maiori campania , italia" in google maps.

i wore out a lot of sleeves that my mother had to sew sliding down that balcony to the street below. i guess that gate wasn't there 45 years ago.

[MrTodd52]

@JessieSmits ....report cards I was always afraid to show too

[astrololee]

I'd forgotten how good this song was. Thanks for uploading. Great footage too, I bet the place doesn't look too much different today.

[lilynick1]

Ah brilliant! The pics add a nice touch jennert. A feeling of nostalgia. My mum loves Neil Diamond. I can see why!

[prityskinyminy]

love neils voice.

[poppop1983]

just saw him do this song in vegas - was tremendous

[luckystar787878]

this songs gives me a warm feeling

(:

[elhijodeperra]

shit. how can you compare neil with georges? and i say george bacause he has greek ancestry. i cant believe you made such a comment. shit. i cant believe it. shit. better ask for pardon and quit youtube

[MadamAlise]

LOL yeah well makes me think of old Santa Barbara County roads......and all of that family that still is out there.

[Enlightenedpsych2]

Brings me right home to the good ole days when walking into and through Brooklyn was something special . . . tagging along behind grandma. Neil has a way of bringing simplicity to those brooklyn roads and any we travel with fond memories . . .

Erica Hidvegi a.k.a. enlightnedpsych2

[powerbuzz03]

this song would have been far better if george michael would have sung it..

( no offence to the legend himself...)

[KYBluesKY]

Pardon my bluntness, but you MUST be out of your freaking mind to make such a comment. This IS Neil's (from Brooklyn, FYI) song. George Michael was 5 years old (and from London England) when this song was released. No Neil, No song. George is great too, but if you'd ever seen ND do this live, you'd know better.

[powerbuzz03]

i pardon your bluntness dear..

[KYBluesKY]

And I thank you for that, LOL. Funny : )

[powerbuzz03]

thanks..

[talcahuanochile]

NEIL DIAMOND,es un gran maestro de la musica,para nosotro es un orgullo tener la dicha de escuchar su musica.muchas gracias a las personas que suben su musica.

[cherylnorman]

This is one of my favorite Neil Diamond song. But there are so many from which to choose!

[Babyhowdy233]

Haunting, evocative and truly memorable..sounds so much like my own childhood. THIS was the first song that Neil did that made me stop dead in my tracks and REALLY notice him for the TIMELESS artist that he is....one of THE BEST America has ever produced!

[malthechal]

A great song by a great musician.

I always liked Neil Diamonds music.

He writes with his own unique style.

Two Neils that were great came from Brooklyn: Neil Diamond and Neil Sedaka

[kessaven]

this song is not only poetic but it has a soul!

[enterthetiger]

I drove a bus through those Brooklyn roads but never lived there. You can hear the hearfelt and nostalgic feeling in his voice. This is a masterpiece.

[mikebats]

MY HATS OFF TO A FELLOW BUS DRIVER!

[talcahuanochile]

otra extraordinaria cancion,eres unico NEILdiamond.

[Babyhowdy233]

Es VERDAD, talcahuanochile.

[54nomore]

If I close my eyes I can almost hear my mother go on Neil go find your brother Dad is home and it's time for supper hurry on And I see two boys racing up 2 flights of staircase squirming into papas embrace and his whiskers warm on their face where's it gone oh where's it gone

[54nomore]

2 floors above the butcher first door on the right and life filled to the brim as I stood by my window and looked on those Brooklyn Roads I can still recalled smells of cooking in the hallways rollers drying in the doorway and report cards I was always afraid to show Mama come to school

[54nomore]

as I sit there softly crying teacher say he's just not trying got a good head if he'd apply it but, you know yourself it's always somewhere else I build me a castle with dragons and kings I'd ride off with them as I stood by my window and looked out on those Brooklyn Roads Thought of going back all I see are strangers faces

[54nomore]

and all the scars that love erases But as my mind walks through those places I'm wondering what's come of them Some other young boy comes home to my room cause he dream what I did as he stands by my window and looks out on those Brooklyn Roads...

[Babyhowdy233]

AND as I'D sit there softly crying...

TEACHER'D say he's just not trying

I'D build me a castle...

[Babyhowdy233]

and looked OUT on those....

RUBBERS drying in the doorways....

MOM would come to school....

[Babyhowdy233]

I can almost hear my mother CALLING "Neil, go find your brother"....

[mal334455]

we watched him sing this last night in Birmingham and he screened these photos as he was sing this song...i can tell you that there wasnt a dry eye in the house....superb

[teddyrailroad]

boy,yhis song reminds me of my youth at mcnelis school in ALTOONA P.A.

[MizCrow]

I have seen Neil three times here in Australia, I hope he tours again one day. This is such a classic song, especially when sung in a slower pace. The man is a genius, and a poet.

[isles3944]

one of my favs

[bigcoolviking]

me too also!!!

[deppy6]

this is my fav neil diamond songs it reminds me of my childhood brilliant ...

[chibikawaiichris]

my teacher says i'm just not trying when I am I just don't get her lesson

[obsessong]

Fantastic photo montage!

[LOBONLA]

Neil is a National Treasure!

[RodCornholio]

Highly underrated artist.

[youneek45]

one of the best neil diamond songs of all time. FANTASTIC.

[chengloki]

Come on, how many out there were worried about giving your parents your report card, when you had bad marks? My mom sent me some of my old cards. I couldn't believe how bad I was! I now work on aircraft! =Stefan=

[krazykritik]

I got viciously beaten for every mark below a B+..does that answer your question?..and I went on to be extremely adept at killing people with military weapons..so what are you really trying to say?..'scuse me while I listen to a magnicent song..

[123darwin123]

I don't allow my poor grades to effect me. After all I went to public schools my entire life in the United States. In hind sight those school grades mean next to nothing when considering their source. :)

[kcto]

I think most people can relate to this most beautiful song.

Thanks for posting

[pdm1224]

One of my very favorite Neil Diamond songs...so poignant and real..thanks for posting.

[7246a]

Great song & beautiful vid:)

Thank you:)

[toffo20]

Thanx for putting this together!I love Neil Diamond's songs and you've done a good job in matching visuals to the song! Don't know Brooklyn and probably will never visit there, but that's my loss not Brooklyn's. Thanx again, and God bless you and yours!

[scotjay]

very cool  nice job

[fhardyb]

This is Neil's finest 'ballad'.

[jvyoung1258]

Sorry pushed wrong button s/b thumbs up

[yomamadontdanz]

great jobbbbb..a plus

[musicmatty67]

Great artist and song, and also great slide show..well done..Bravo!!

MusicMatty67 on youtbube

[candleoflove]

Hey Berr,

It was my pleasure to share this great song with you... xoxo

[krazykritik]

...I'd build me a castle...with dragons and kings...and I'd ride off with them as I stood by my window and looked out on those...Brooklyn Roads...those weren't just Brooklyn Roads...for many listeners...they were roads to the memories...of a childhood of loneliness...and confusion...and innocence...I always wondered what Brooklyn looked like...so thanks for a great slideshow...Mike from Canada...

[brooklynpolarbear]

Those pictures are priceless now. That is the last we will see of Astroland. Thanks for the memories.

[bufb]

best song of Diamonds...gives me chills

[rainydaywoman43]

probably my favorite neil diamond song. thanks.

[capkarl2]

Nice! Thanks

[mlbfantasy]

IMHO, this is Neil's greatest song. It's about the loss of your childhood home, your family. It cuts your heart out, but it's a great, great song.

[Creativ1]

I was born in Brooklyn -love the song and photos thanks for posting.

[fastzoe]

and a very nice video. thanks for posting (:-)

[fastzoe]

a touching song from neil.nd forever

[beetlebeer]

NOSTALGIC! Nuff said

[mikjazz]

This is truly a terrific song; also one of ND's least played pieces. I got the record back in the sixties and it still really gets to me. Nice vid - thanks for the post!

[Viktoria3]

WOW! I'm from Brooklyn. These shots are great. I recognize all these places. Some right near home. I love Coney Island. Great slideshow, great song too. haha love the ending too. Thanks

[marcuslager]

Viktoria3 You love Coney Island? Ever tasted Coney Island whitefish?

[Viktoria3]

Yeah I do love it there. No, I can't say that I have, yet. But now I wanna!!! :) I'm pretty sure my brother has, he lives there. : D

[marcuslager]

Hope he hasnt because when I lived in Brooklyn like 1000 years ago we called condoms washing up on the beach "Coney Island whitefish" or "blind eels".

[Viktoria3]

WHAT????? LOL I thought it was some kind of famous dish I haven't heard of. Never mind about me wanting to try it!!!!

[marcuslager]

yea, I guess you better not to.

[GDLR]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I thought that sounded familar...G

[GDLR]

Great slideshow, btw. Cool song. I'm gonna miss Coney Island when they tear it down!:(

[MALONEY432]

me and my dad in dagenham essex sunday morning , cheers dad i love you !

[bufb]

My favorite Diamond song--puts chills down

my spine.

[SherryAnn68]

The great thing about Neil Diamond is that his music is so versatile. Each song is unique. And he's not afraid to reveal himself in his lyrics...The best songwriter of our era.

[bluenosesrule]

This is my Favourite Neil Diamond Song, because it is actually telling diamonds childhood

[madisonhack]

I saw him 3 different times; '76, '00, and '04. One of the truly great songwriters of my generation.

[fairlanegt1]

This is my favorite song! Thanks.

[jabb69]

Diamond said " music, it either moves you, or it leaves you cold. It is more then just the song, it is the sould itself"

You listen to this, and lookie here, the sould itself. It is why i think his music in the late 60's and through the seventies was and is some of the best music I have ever heard in my life. He along with springsteen and the other neil ( lol ) young were so powerful in the songwriting and perfroming side.

[frb01]

Neil has said to be a great song writer you have to express part of yourself, this along with I am I said, is part of him.

[brooklynnews]

Lovely.

[chengloki]

No more Brooklyn roads. I now live in Hawaii. =Stefan=

[ashdavp]

diamond is the best artist of all time, a songwriter/singer and genius. people say that most of neils music is depressing, but i find it gives me a lift if im feeling down, it works for me.

[memolinex]

Really Beautiful song.

Neil is great.

[jbnh2nc]

Neil is the greatest song writer and singer that ever was., how can you not love this stuff.

[digby351]

makes the hairs on my neck stand to attention.what a melody ,tears in musical form.

[scorpianguy]

A Masterpiece!! Thanks a lot for posting this song.

[ger1azg]

Brooklyn Roads has always been one of my favorites. Thanks for majking the video.