The 1970s marked a golden era of deep, thematic exploration for Neil Diamond. Following a string of massive commercial triumphs and cinematic soundtracks, Diamond released his ninth studio album, Serenade, in October 1974. While chart-topping singles like “Longfellow Serenade” drew immediate mainstream attention, the album’s closing track, “The Gift of Song,” stands out as a quietly profound meditation on the power of music itself.
Clocking in at just over two minutes, “The Gift of Song” functions as an intimate epilogue to the Serenade record. Written entirely by Diamond, the track strips away heavy production elements to focus on poetic lyricism and the emotional bond forged between artist and listener. Diamond reflects on music as a timeless conduit—crafted to “make you free” and transport the mind across eras through simple rhymes and shared memories.
Musically, the song captures the lush, acoustic-driven warmth characteristic of mid-70s Laurel Canyon-adjacent arrangements, featuring core studio contributors like guitarist Richard Bennett and keyboardist Alan Lindgren. Rather than relying on stadium-sized bombast, Diamond delivers a tender vocal performance that feels conversational, as if speaking directly to someone across a quiet room.
Decades later, “The Gift of Song” remains a treasured deep cut for devoted fans. It serves as a gentle reminder of Diamond’s philosophy as a songwriter: that melody and verse are enduring offerings meant to comfort, connect, and outlive the moment they were written.
Neil Diamond – The Gift Of Song
This video provides the original 1974 studio track of “The Gift of Song” as featured on the Serenade album.
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