"I Dreamed A Dream" (from Les Miserables)-Neil Diamond (Hot August Night, 1987)

With all the recent attention on the Susan Boyle video, I thought you might like to hear Neil Diamond's rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" (Hot August Night 2-1987). Please read the notes at the finish on the change of lyrics.
Produced by Steven M. Folks

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Neil Diamond
• I Dreamed A Dream
• Les Miserables
• Britains Got Talent
• Susan Boyle

[brianmccorkell]

Forget all the other singers, Neil Diamond is the best you will hear.

[whatanightmare1]

Very nice...this song was well-suited for his smoky warm baritone.

[Petsmack]

Ausborn46, you re taking it ot of context. Les Mis had one of the biggest launches in history. They had different artists perform the songs worldwide as a way to promote the show. THis was sanctioned by Les Mis, and part of history. The only reason this survived a bit longer, is that he released it on Hot August Nights II...

[Ausborn46]

Have been a fan of Neil's own work for 40 years but this doesn't cut it. It has been taken out of context and reduced to just another song. Anyone who has enjoyed Les Mis' on stage will never forget how heart rending and pivotal to the plot it is. Some songs are like children, they shouldn't be intterfered with.

[crystalpristine]

I love the voice of Neil Diamond as wel the polishing and enhancing the lyrics of the song.......

[NorthCountryBoy43]

Love the way he holds a note, seen him in Glasgow 2011 - LEGEND x

[tmag5309]

@alpaca10001 I respect your opinion and I will listen to SD's version. I sensed a great loss when we lost SD and I'm class of '78. Here's to loving great music and great talent!

[alpaca10001]

@tmag5309 Hope you listened to SD's version. I agree with why it was composed, just don't think dreams are gender bound.In1989 SD was terminally ill.I believe he sang this song as it pertained to him,not all lines - some e.g"There was no ransom to be paid(his death),There are dreams that cannot be(life cut short) Storms we cannot weather(throat cancer), She slept a summer by my side(she he was leaving behind). That's what I heard him sing. I may have a diffent view, I'm a bit older, class of 33

[tmag5309]

@alpaca10001 I haven't heard that version, and I think Sammy Davis Jr is also a phenomenal talent. I just feel there are some songs, whether by composition, lyric or common usage are gender oriented. "I Dreamed A Dream" was specifically composed for Fantine at a critical point in the play and, I think is just one of those pieces. Just a simple matter of opinion, I guess.

[alpaca10001]

@tmag5309 If you think the lyrics of this song "just don't work for a man" then you obviously have never heard the rendition sung by Sammy Davis Jr on the Jerry Lewis telethon in Sept 1989 the year before Sammy passed away during May 1990. It was quite powerful foretelling things to come.