Diamonds (Herb Alpert song)

"Diamonds" is a song by American trumpeter Herb Alpert from his 27th studio album, Keep Your Eye on Me (1987). Released as the second single from Keep Your Eye on Me on March 14, 1987, by A&M Records, the song features lead and background vocals by American singers Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith.

"Diamonds"
Single by Herb Alpert featuring Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith
from the album Keep Your Eye on Me
B-side
ReleasedMarch 14, 1987 (1987-03-14)
Recorded1986
Genre
Length3:54 (Single Version) 4:53 (Album Version)
LabelA&M
Songwriter(s)
  • James Harris III
  • Terry Lewis
Producer(s)Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Herb Alpert singles chronology
"Keep Your Eye on Me"
(1986)
"Diamonds"
(1987)
"Making Love in the Rain"
(1987)
Janet Jackson singles chronology
"Let's Wait Awhile"
(1987)
"Diamonds"
(1987)
"The Pleasure Principle"
(1987)

Song information edit

This single marked a comeback for Herb Alpert. Four tracks on the song's album, Keep Your Eye on Me, were produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who melded Alpert's sound with their own Minneapolis funk.

Music video edit

In the music video, Herb Alpert appears in "Bucky's" nightclub, where the DJ plays his new single. The song is a hit with the crowd, and Alpert and his band perform on stage. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson heads back to the club in a limo, though Jackson herself does not appear in the video; a look-alike is used for the limo scenes and the silhouette of Jackson in the club. A child breaks through the look-alike's silhouette and performs as Jackson.

Live performance edit

Janet Jackson included the song on her 2011 tour Number Ones: Up Close and Personal and as a DJ interlude on the 2015-2016 Unbreakable World Tour. It was also included on the 2023 Together Again Tour.

Chart performance edit

"Diamonds" was a hit in the U.S., peaking at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks.[1] The single also went to #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play and Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts in the U.S.[2] "Diamonds" was a hit in countries such as Canada and the Netherlands, but a more modest chart success in the UK and Australia. Its successor, "Making Love in the Rain", would reach #35 on the Hot 100 in September 1987.[3]

Track listing edit

  • Japan 5" CD single
  1. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Mix) – 6:19
  2. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Dance Mix) – 5:55
  3. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Instrumental) – 5:27
  4. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Dub Version) – 4:23
  5. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer 7" Edit) – 3:54
  6. "Diamonds" (dance mix) – 6:48
  7. "Diamonds" (instrumental) – 5:14
  8. "Diamonds" (Beats Dubcapella) – 3:12
  • UK 7" vinyl single
  1. "Diamonds" (edit) – 3:58
  2. "Rocket to the Moon" – 3:52
  • UK Cassette single
  1. "Diamonds" (dance mix)
  2. "Diamonds" (edit)
  3. "Diamonds" (instrumental)
  4. "Rocket to the Moon"
  • US 7" vinyl single
  1. "Diamonds" – 4:53
  2. "African Flame" – 3:58
  • US 12" maxi single mix vinyl SP-12231
  1. "Diamonds" (dance mix) – 6:45
  2. "Diamonds" (instrumental) – 5:10
  3. "Diamonds" (Beats Dubcapella) – 3:10
  • US 12" maxi single mix vinyl promotional copy - non for sale SP-17475
  1. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Mix) – 6:16
  2. "Diamonds" (Cool Summer Dance Mix) – 5:51
  3. "Diamonds" (instrumental) - 5:23
  4. "Diamonds" (Dub Version) – 4:20
  5. "Diamonds" (7" Edit) – 3:50
  • Japan 7" vinyl single
  1. "Diamonds" – 4:53
  2. "Stranger on the Shore" – 2:54

References edit

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 29.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 19.
  3. ^ "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-12-21.
  4. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, NSW, Australia: Australian Chart Book. p. 16. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  5. ^ "Herb Alpert – Diamonds" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  6. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 4, no. 27. July 11, 1987. p. 8 in PDF. Retrieved May 3, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ "Herb Alpert – Diamonds" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Diamonds". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  9. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Herb Alpert" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  10. ^ "Herb Alpert – Diamonds" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Herb Alpert – Diamonds". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  12. ^ "South African Divas Singles". Geo Cities. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  13. ^ "Herb Alpert – Diamonds". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "Herb Alpert: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  15. ^ "Herb Alpert Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  16. ^ "Herb Alpert Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  17. ^ "Herb Alpert Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  18. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1987" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  19. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. Library and Archives Canada. 26 December 1987. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  20. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1987" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  21. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1987" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  22. ^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. December 26, 1987.
  23. ^ "1987 The Year in Music & Video: Top Hot Crossover Singles". Billboard. Vol. 99, no. 52. December 26, 1987. p. Y-27. Retrieved April 8, 2022.