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Many people know Neil Diamond from his 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline”, a stadium anthem with fans chanting various lyrics in support of their team during the three beats in the chorus.
However, Diamond has a wide range of musical styles, and may be more famous for some of his emotional and folksy slower pieces. His 1972 album “Moods” marked the significance of his influence on the music industry: his warm voice and piano mixed with faster, upbeat songs provided the perfect listen for anyone looking for a feel-good album.
The album cover features his name and the album title in a scripty font, and a close-up simple picture of Diamond, his feathery hair a staple of the early 70s folk look. He is looking calmly and seriously at the camera, as if he is deep in thought.
The album as a whole entered the Billboard charts in July and reached No. 5 in September of 1972. The album is also certified Platinum, and the single “Song Sung Blue,” the first track on the album, reached No. 1.
Many of the songs did not chart highly due to the other great artists releasing iconic music in 1972. The Eagles’ debut album, Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out,” and the Doobie Brothers’ “Toulouse Street” were released that summer, plus David Bowie introduced the world to Ziggy Stardust around the same time Diamond’s “Moods” came out.
However, the eleven tracks are a worthwhile listen, and some stand out as classics more than fifty years after the album release.
“Song Sung Blue” is a soft, reassuring piece about sadness being a natural part of life, and how everyone goes through “blue” moments. Instead of fighting those feelings, the song suggests accepting them because they eventually pass. The lyrics “Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice / And before you know it, get to feeling good / You simply got no choice” comfort and uplist listeners.
The song is also the title of a 2025 documentary film starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as couple Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning and Thunder. “Song Sung Blue” is played several times in the film, and it includes other classic Neil Diamond songs like “Holly Holy,” “Soolaimon,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Forever in Blue Jeans”.
“Gitchy Goomy” is a sweet, silly song in the style of a nursery rhyme. Goofy lyrics like “Gitchy goomy, gitchy gaddy…Goggin noggin, papa’s rockin’” are contradicted with moving statements like “Life is good, life is fine, life is warm, / Life is kind, can you see it?”.
“Walk on Water” has been compared to Yusuf / Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train” with its choppy lyrics, acoustic guitar chords, and rhythmic drums. It is a pretty song, with gospel-like chorus voices at the end.
The first track on side two, “Play Me,” is a love song that uses music as a metaphor for emotional connection. The chorus sings, “You are the sun, I am the moon / You are the words, I am the tune / Play me,” showing how opposites often attract and complement each other.
There are two short instrumental tracks on the album, toward the end of Side 2: “Theme” and “Prelude in E Major,” which blends into “Morningside,” the final track. The instrumentals provide a slow and calming break and add to the album’s sentimental feel.
The fourth track, “Canta Libre,” is a Spanish-inspired song with a pretty, inspiring message. The lyrics “Canta mi corazon, Para los ninos, why sus ninos, canta libre” translate to “Sing my heart, For the children, and their children, sing freely.”
Rating: 8/10
Main attractors: The songs provide a comforting feel for listeners. “Morningside” and “Captain Sunshine” provide the warm vocals, and songs like “Play Me” and “Song Sung Blue” have stood the test of time and become fan favorites due to their emotional depth and lyricism. It is easy to make personal connections, making them more meaningful for listeners. Neil Diamond has a special place in many people’s hearts because of some of the songs on this album.
Main detractors: The songs on “Moods” are very simple, and some listeners who prefer energetic or varied music may find it slow and restrained. Some may see the simplicity as underproduced or lacking richness, especially if they enjoy more instruments, and because it takes a more emotional lane, it can feel repetitive in tone across the album.
