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I love the story behind this Great Song!
In 1983, the British reggae band UB40 was putting together an album of cover versions of songs they liked ("Labour of Love"), and they decided to record a version of a rather obscure song by Jamaican-born singer Tony Tribe that only made it to #46 on the
UK charts back in 1969.
Or so they thought.
Because the name of the composer listed on the sheet music was N. Diamond, they naturally assumed it was Jamaican singer Nagus Diamond.
But...in reality, it was NEIL Diamond, whose origina1967 l version of "Red Red Wine" was not even CLOSE to being a reggae song--and not really a hit either.
Neil's original label was Bang Records, and when he left after releasing 2 albums, Bang started tinkering with his music, and added a choir to the song...without Neil's knowledge or permission. The song never made it above #62 on the Hot 100.
Cut to the '80s:
UB40's single version was released in 1983 in the UK, and went to #1, but stalled at #34 in the US when it was released in 1984.
But hold on...in 1988, it was re-issued in the US--this time it was the full album version, including the rap break that had been edited out on the original single.
This time, it quickly topped Billboard's Hot 100!
Everybody was a winner--including Neil Diamond--who received residuals, of course...but also loved UB40's version so much, he started performing in it concert using their reggae arrangement instead of his own!
When you put the story all together, it's pretty obvious that "Red Red Wine" was destined to be a Great Song all along...NO thanks to Bang Records in 1967, but a positive nod to Tony Tribe in 1969, and the combined talents of Neil Diamond and UB40 from 1983-to 1988!
UB40:
Tony Tribe:
Neil Diamond's Banged-Up version:
Tomorrow: Martika tackles drug addition.
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