Holly Holy

Album: Touching You, Touching Me (1969)
Charted: 6
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Songfacts®:

  • In an interview with the BBC, Diamond said of this song: "What I tried to do was create a religious experience between a man and a woman, as opposed to a man and a god."
  • This features a gospel choir and a string section arranged by Lee Holdridge.
  • Neil Diamond's music shows up throughout the Netflix series Midnight Mass; "Holly Holy" is used to open the 2021 season 1 episode "Book III: Proverbs."

Comments: 41

  • Jake Anthony Bourdain from San DiegoHolly Holy song lyrics is about orgasmic experience between he and his woman or man and woman. Orgasm
  • Fritz from AmericaI sorta think it has to do with the feeling of getting a b--wjob.
  • Mira Lea from Alberta, CanadaBeautiful, spiritual song.
    I fell in love with Neil's music when I first heard Solitary Man.
    When I first heard Holly Holy I was 11; I loved it so much I added it to my list of songs that I had to learn that year ('69).
    It has been playing in my head these past few days, so I got out my guitar and was surprised to discover that not only could I get the breathing right, I remembered the lyrics. Took me right back to the 70s and brightened an otherwise cold, overcast day.
    I love this song; but then, there is not a song of Neil's that I do not like.
  • Matthew from OregonMidnight Mass was excellent and I felt the use of Holly holy was very fitting and wonderfully done.
  • Gary from OhioNot much for the spiritual or religious aspect of this one but I know a good song when I hear it and like many others had my interest in ND music rekindled watching Midnight Mass. I've listened to Neil for decades and for those who may not know, this is most certainly not the only good song in his catalog. His music has been featured numerous times in film and TV much to my enjoyment!
  • Paulee from Ballarat Victoria, AustraliaI knew this song but when I heard it again on the Midnight Mass soundtrack after many years, it reignited something and I play it over and over again now…..I just love it!
  • Holly Dawn from Louisville I just came here to read the full lyrics and why Neil Diamond wrote it. Holly was a very popular name in the 70s. I was born in 1974, but grew up singing this song and Delta Dawn—and have struggled with how unprofessional my name is. I even wanted to legally change it to Holland. But I stuck it out. To see nobody knew the song until Midnight Mass is sad. But after reading ND’s inspiration I kinda don’t hate my name so much. Sing it loud, Millennials.
  • Dave from UkLike the most of the comments I heard this for the first time ever (I know) on Netflix Midnight Mass! Now I’m hooked and can’t stop listening
  • Yoyomao from ColoradoND is a little before my time, but I love this song, I feel it more spiritual, bit now I hear his interpretation, and it's about LOVE!!
  • Suzanne from Rushford, NyOMG.....SAME, it's in my head sleeping and as I type this comment it is playing on my TV from the 1971 concert. Not my normal type of music, but something addicting about it. Glad I'm not alone.
  • Angela from Colorado Springs I heard this on midnight mass. Knew immediately it was Neil Diamond. Can't stop playing it. Love it, love it, love it!
  • Nancyco from Los AngelesHeard this song on Midnight Mass. It’s truly beautiful. I remember my parents blasting this on vinyl back in the 70’s. Got on ITunes and can’t stop listening to it. Glad I’m not the only one!
  • Trudi from Australia I’m also now addicted to this song after watching Midnight Mass. I can’t get it out of my head for 2 days. Glad I found this page to know I’m not alone or going mad. I’m not a Neil Diamond fan and this isn’t the music I would listen to normally. Music can have such a magic impact on people.
  • AnonymousSo many memories flooding back when I heard this on midnight mass. I've listened probably 100 times since. They should have carried the Neil diamond theme thru to the end.
  • AnonymousHere because of Midnight Mass . I just lost my mom who loved Neil diamond. I'm on the edge of my bed in a St John's Home (I just turned 60), weeping as I hit "PLAY" for the 3rd time...the emotions this song is bringing out of me is crazy!!!
  • Denise from Oklahoma I was listening to “Holly Holy” in my SUV very early this morning driving to work. I was headed east. The sun was coming up. It was a beautiful, brilliant sunrise but I had the most spooked feeling.
  • Jade L from UsaIf you enjoyed this song on Midnight Mass, you must also hear the version in the film Here Comes the Boom at the end with the orchestra....It is amazing.
  • Lisa from UkMe too! My mum is a huge Neil Diamond fan but I’d never heard this before Midnight Mass. Now on repeat!
  • Jokam from OhioLove this song! I've been a Neil Diamond fan for a long while, but when I heard this on Midnight Mass it brought it all back to me as to why I love this song
  • Susan from MinnesotaI, too, heard this on Midnight Mass & it's now a song I can't hear enough. I'd forgotten how powerful Neil Diamond's songs can be. It's one of my favorites, along with "I am...I said".
  • Jlm from UkJust heard this for the first time ever on Midnight Mass Netflix - amazing can’t stop playing it!
  • Ben from OhioHeard this for the first time on the Netflix series "Midnight Mass". It plays while there's a collage of people from a somewhat dying depressed island town suddenly feeling sudden joy and health and youth after witnessing a miracle in their little church. The series at this point (episode 2) is hitting a high point of optimism and re-birth and this song really brings that out.
  • Charlie The Trucker from Glasgow, ScotlandHolly Holy.. what a powerful song! I`m sure I heard him say in an interview a long time ago that when he heard it back with the strings, he knew he had written something special
  • Charles Watts from New Castle De You want a spiritual experience listen to Brother loves travelling salvation show
  • Victor from Miami, Florida This is a great site. Thank you very, very much to everyone on this post for teaching me so much about this song. I have been a Neil Diamond fan since 1976.
  • Holly from UsaI recently discovered this version of Holly Holy and I think it's brilliant; I may, however, be a bit biased. LOL! I imagine it as a love song from my late husband to myself. Tragically he ended his life years ago, but I still feel his love. Even if you're not named Holly, this is a moving rendition. Love and light to all.
  • David J. Brumbaugh from Brockport, NyI have so many favorites from "Forever in Blue Jeans", "Holly Holly", especially "Sweet Caroline" As I happen to have a very dear and sweet lady by that name!!! Stay well And he's always been my favorite singer so stay well Neil!!!
  • Patsy Cuthbertson from Indiana Trail, NcNeil Diamond & Holly Holy have always been my favorite. Everything about him. Being front& center @ his last concert in Charlotte was the best gift from my dtgs( other than a picture of my grands with me). Stay well Mr Diamond
  • Helen Lois Owens from Hayden, Idahogreat site!
  • Damian Lopez from Sacramento This Song is a religious experience, but all Neil Diamond Songs touch people of all ages
  • AnonymousAwesome song. Love Neil Diamond
  • Emily from Georgia Thank you Sandy from FL
  • Melinda from AustraliaThe closest thing to a religious experience you’ll ever get. Even if you are an atheist. This song is just majestic. The choir singing is just incredible. And how the whole thing builds. It’s so underrated this song. And so sad that recent generations will never know the moving depth of it. Cause they jus won’t hear it. My parents owned most Neil Diamond records so I don’t understand how I rarely heard this song in the 1970’s. Nancy Sinatra did a cover of Holly Holy. And she knocks it out of the park. Her voice is perfect for it. And clearly Frank Sinatra paid for the orchestra and choir to back her. Result: unbelievable. She sang the James Bond theme You Only Live Twice also. with equal perfection.
  • Karan from Napoleon, OhioAbove it says he was trying to create a religious experience between a man and a woman as opposed to man and a god---yet Holly can be used to represent Jesus and the line "Sing a Song of songs-- Song of Songs is the book in the Bible after Ecclesiastes and it is supposed to be about your love relationship with Jesus. So- I think this is a deeply spiritual song!
  • Sandy from FlNo way is this his best song -- sorry. Try "September Morn" for piquant lyrics, memorable melody, evocative emotions and just plain greatness.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 30th 1969, Neil Diamond performed "Holly Holy" on the CBS-TV program 'The Ed Sullivan Show'...
    At the time the song was at #16 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and twenty-one days later on December 21st, 1969 it peaked at #6 for 1 week... {See next post below}
    On the same 'Sullivan' show he also performed "Sweet Caroline"; it reached #4 for two weeks on July 31st, 1969.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 21st 1969, "Holly Holy" by Neil Diamond peaked at #6 (for 1 week) on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; it had entered the chart on October 26th and spent 14 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #5 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and #3 on the Australian RPM Top Singles chart...
    Mr. Diamond with celebrate his 73rd birthday next month on January 24th.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn December 20th 1970 "Holly Holy" by Jr. Walker and the All-Stars entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart for a five week stay, peaking at #75...
    It reached #33 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    R.I.P. Mr. Walker, born Autry DeWalt Mixon, 1931 - 1995.
  • Coy from Palestine, TxDiamond loves melody and believes that words are subject to interputation by the listener. He has given several "versions" of the meaning of "Holly Holy" but it may not mean anything at all except what you wish it to mean. The bass notes on the song are terrific and the song is a blazing paean.
  • Rick from Belfast, MeThe first time I heard this song was from the album...."Touching You Touching Me".....great song, great album!!!!!!
  • Mixermatt from Bloomington, MnNeil Diamond's Best Song "Holly Holy"
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