Diamond spent his early career as a songwriter in the Brill Building. His first success as a songwriter came in November, 1965 with the song "Sunday and Me," performed by Jay and the Americans, which was a top 20 hit on the Billboard Charts. Greater early success as a writer followed with "I'm a Believer", "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You", "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)," and "Love to Love," recorded and released by the Monkees.
There is a popular misconception that Diamond wrote and composed these songs specifically for the made-for-TV quartet. In reality, Diamond had written and recorded these songs to release himself, but the cover versions were released before his own.[6] The unintended, but happy, consequence of this was that Diamond began to gain fame not only as a singer and performer, but also as a songwriter. "I'm a Believer" was the Popular Music Song of the Year in 1966.
Other notable artists who recorded early Neil Diamond songs were Elvis Presley, who interpreted “Sweet Caroline” as well as “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind,” Mark Lindsay, former lead singer for Paul Revere & the Raiders, also covered "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind," the English hard rock band Deep Purple which interpreted “Kentucky Woman,” Lulu, who covered “The Boat That I Row,” and Cliff Richard, who released versions of “I’ll Come Running,” “Solitary Man,” "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", “I Got The Feelin’ (Oh No No),” and “Just Another Guy.”
The guy was an all-around music machine and major force.
What annoys me about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is its overrated criteria and points given for "edginess" and avant garde crap.
Even John Cougar-Mellencamp (ROCK in the USA) and Paul Simon (Me & Julio Down By The School Yard) copied Diamond's signature riffs.
I think my favorite cover of Solitary Man was performed by Chris Isaak. Haunting.