Red Red Wine Neil Diamond

Okay, picture this: Me, age 10, at a family barbecue. My uncle Jerry, bless his heart, is manning the grill, wearing an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" (subtle, Jerry, real subtle). And blasting from his portable radio? You guessed it. UB40's "Red Red Wine." I remember thinking, even then, "This song is…kinda catchy." Little did I know, that catchy tune had a whole secret identity hiding in plain sight. That's right, folks, we're diving into the surprising origin story of "Red Red Wine."

So, UB40 made "Red Red Wine" a worldwide smash, no question. It's the song everyone associates with them. Reggae vibes, laid-back feel, perfect for summer…or, you know, any time you need to mentally transport yourself to a beach. But here's the kicker: they didn't write it. Gasp! (I know, I know, mind blown.)

The real author? Drumroll please… Neil Diamond. Yup, that Neil Diamond. Mr. "Sweet Caroline," Mr. "Cracklin' Rosie." The man who makes you want to hold hands and sing along at the top of your lungs at a baseball game.
(Side note: can you even imagine Neil Diamond at a reggae festival? The image is hilarious.)

Diamond wrote and originally performed "Red Red Wine" way back in 1967. And let me tell you, his version is…different. It's got a folksy, almost country-tinged vibe. Think more acoustic guitar and less dub influence. You can hear the lyrics more clearly, which honestly makes the song a little sadder. It's less of a party anthem and more of a…well, a melancholy reflection on lost love and the solace found in a glass (or several) of red wine.

The interesting thing is, UB40 weren't even aware of the Neil Diamond connection for a long time. They based their version on a cover by Tony Tribe, a Jamaican singer, which was itself a reggae take on the Diamond original. They genuinely thought it was a Tony Tribe song! Can you imagine the look on their faces when they found out?
(I’d pay good money to see that reaction video!)

It's a fascinating example of how a song can evolve and transform over time. Diamond's version is, in my opinion, a solid piece of songwriting. But UB40 took that basic structure and completely reinvented it, adding their signature reggae spin and turning it into a global phenomenon. They essentially stripped away some of the overt sadness and replaced it with a more upbeat, carefree feeling.
(Which, let's be honest, is what most people want when they're reaching for a bottle of red, right?)

What's even more wild is that Neil Diamond himself eventually started performing the UB40 arrangement in his live shows. Talk about coming full circle! He acknowledged the influence of their version and even incorporated some of their signature elements into his own performances. It's like he was saying, "Okay, you guys made it better. I admit it!" Or maybe he was just thinking about the royalties. Who knows?

So, next time you hear "Red Red Wine," take a moment to appreciate its surprising history. It's a song that's been remade, reinterpreted, and reinvented across genres and generations. It’s a reminder that art is always evolving, and that sometimes, the best versions of things come from unexpected places.

And more importantly, it’s a reminder that even cheesy family barbecues can hold hidden musical gems. Just keep an ear out for Uncle Jerry's questionable taste in aprons and the unexpected origins of his radio playlist. You never know what musical rabbit hole you might fall down next!

Ultimately, who sang it better? That's a matter of personal preference. Do you prefer the introspective folk ballad or the breezy reggae anthem? Are you a Neil Diamond purist or a UB40 fan for life? Let me know in the comments! I'm genuinely curious to hear your thoughts. And maybe, just maybe, I'll convince my uncle Jerry to switch up his barbecue playlist.
(But probably not. He's pretty set in his ways.)