“HE WAS ANGRY I’D GIVEN AWAY A NO. 1 HIT” — Neil Diamond Once Nearly Gave “I’m A Believer” To A Country Singer Before The Monkees Made Music History
Before Neil Diamond became one of the most recognizable performers in the world, he was simply a struggling songwriter trying to survive in New York’s competitive music industry.
And few people could have imagined that one song he almost gave away would eventually become one of the biggest pop hits of the 1960s.
That song was “I’m a Believer.”
Today, the track is forever linked to The Monkees, whose energetic 1966 recording became a worldwide sensation and one of the defining songs of the decade. But according to Neil Diamond himself, the story behind the song is far more surprising than most fans realize.
At the time, Diamond still considered himself a songwriter first and a performer second.
In fact, he later admitted he became a recording artist almost reluctantly because other singers initially showed little interest in recording his material. During the early years of his career, he struggled constantly, even being dismissed by multiple songwriting companies before finally finding success.
So when “I’m a Believer” became a massive number-one hit for the Monkees, Neil was not upset about giving it away.
He was thrilled.
Ironically, the head of his own record company reportedly felt very differently. According to Diamond, executives were frustrated that he had handed another artist what became one of the biggest songs in America.
But Neil saw it another way.
To him, hearing another artist successfully bring one of his songs to life felt just as meaningful as recording it himself.
And perhaps even more surprising is the fact that Neil originally imagined “I’m a Believer” not as a pop song at all — but as a country song.
He reportedly believed the track would be perfect for legendary country singer Eddy Arnold. Before the Monkees ever recorded it, Diamond envisioned the song being sung with a completely different style and tone.
That single decision changed music history forever.
Once music executive Don Kirshner heard the song, he steered it toward the Monkees, who were quickly becoming one of television and pop music’s biggest sensations. Lead singer Micky Dolenz later recalled how incredible it felt receiving songs from legendary writers like Neil Diamond, Carole King, and Neil Sedaka during the group’s peak years.
And “I’m a Believer” became magic almost instantly.
The song shot to number one and helped cement the Monkees as pop culture icons. At the same time, Neil Diamond’s own career was beginning to explode thanks to hits like “Cherry, Cherry.”
But what makes this story especially fascinating today is how differently Neil later approached the song himself.
Although audiences knew “I’m a Believer” as an upbeat pop anthem, Diamond eventually revisited it decades later with a completely stripped-down acoustic arrangement. Instead of bright energy and excitement, he transformed the song into something softer, more reflective, and emotionally intimate.
That reinterpretation revealed something important about Neil Diamond as a songwriter:
Beneath the catchy melodies and massive choruses was always a deep understanding of emotion and storytelling.
Friends and musicians who later worked with him, including members of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during his collaborations with producer Rick Rubin, often described Neil as passionate, funny, endlessly creative, and deeply connected to songwriting itself.
Even after decades of success, awards, and legendary performances, he still approached music with the excitement of someone chasing a brand-new idea.
And maybe that is why Neil Diamond’s songs continue surviving across generations.
Because whether performed by the Monkees, sung acoustically onstage decades later, or rediscovered by younger listeners today, his music always carried something timeless underneath it.
Not just catchy hooks.
But heart.
Some songwriters dream of writing one unforgettable hit.
Neil Diamond accidentally gave one away — and it changed music history forever.