Neil Diamond Shares Emotional Reaction as Song Sung Blue Comes Alive Again Through Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson

Music legend Neil Diamond has spoken with rare openness about the impact of seeing one of his most beloved songs, “Song Sung Blue,” rediscovered by a new generation through the film Song Sung Blue. Watching the story unfold on screen, Diamond reflected on how the song — written decades ago — has taken on renewed meaning.

The film stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as a married couple who form a Neil Diamond tribute band, drawing inspiration from his music during a difficult chapter of their lives. The story, based on real events, focuses on resilience, love, and the quiet power of familiar songs to bring people together.

Diamond has acknowledged that hearing his work interpreted in this new context was deeply moving. He described the experience of watching the performances as a reminder of why the song resonated so strongly when it was first written — and why it continues to matter years later. Rather than focusing on spectacle, the film emphasizes sincerity, something Diamond has long valued in music.

Released in the early 1970s, “Song Sung Blue” was never intended as a grand anthem. Diamond has previously explained that the song was written simply and honestly, capturing a shared human feeling rather than technical perfection. Seeing that same simplicity reflected in Jackman and Hudson’s performances reportedly struck a personal chord.

Audiences have responded warmly to the film, particularly to the way it treats Diamond’s music with respect rather than irony. Viewers and critics alike have noted that the performances feel less like impersonations and more like heartfelt tributes, allowing the songs to stand on their own emotional strength.

For Diamond, who has largely stepped back from live performances in recent years, the film represents more than nostalgia. It is evidence that music can continue to evolve long after it is written, shaped by new voices and new stories while remaining true to its original spirit.

As Song Sung Blue reaches new audiences through cinema, Diamond’s reaction underscores a rare moment of artistic continuity — a song written in quiet reflection finding renewed life through others who connected with it decades later.