Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

Last updated

"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"
Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon cover.jpg
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album Just for You
B-side
  • "You'll Forget" (US, UK)
  • "New Orleans" (continental Europe)
ReleasedMarch 1967
Recorded1966
Genre
Length2:48
Label Bang
Songwriter(s) Neil Diamond
Producer(s) Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"You Got to Me"
(1967)
"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"
(1967)
"Thank the Lord for the Night Time"
(1967)

"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" is a song written by American musician Neil Diamond, whose recording of it on Bang Records reached number 10 on the US pop singles chart in 1967. The song enjoyed a second life when it appeared on the 1994 Pulp Fiction soundtrack, performed by rock band Urge Overkill. Other versions have been recorded by Cliff Richard (1968), Jackie Edwards (1968), the Biddu Orchestra (1978), and 16 Volt (1998).

Contents

Neil Diamond version

The song first appeared on Diamond's album Just for You . The mono and stereo versions of this song differ slightly. On the mono "Just For You" LP as well as on the 45, the strings do not come in until the second verse. It also has a slightly longer fade. The stereo "Just For You" LP version has a shorter fade and the strings come in on the first chorus. The lyrics describe a narrator romantically interested in a young woman whose friends and family disapprove of him ("They never get tired of putting me down") while he urges the woman to reach her own conclusions about him ("Don't let them make up your mind").

Billboard described the single as a "sure-fire chart topper," stating that an "easy rhythm backs a soulful reading of a compelling lyric." [2] Cash Box called the single a "rhythmic, mid-tempo ballad that should see lots of Top 40 play." [3]

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"
  2. "You'll Forget"

Charts

Chart (1967)Peak
position
US Billboard Pop Singles [4] 10
Chart (1971)Peak
position
Dutch Mega Top 100 [5] 27

Cliff Richard version

"Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon"
Single by Cliff Richard
A-side "I'll Love You Forever Today"
ReleasedJune 21, 1968
RecordedFebruary 11, 1968 [6]
Studio EMI Studios, London
Genre Pop
Length3:03
Label Columbia
Songwriter(s) Neil Diamond
Producer(s) Norrie Paramor
Cliff Richard singles chronology
"Congratulations"
(1968)
"Girl You'll Be a Woman Soon"
(1968)
"Marianne"
(1968)

Cliff Richard covered the song as the B-side to his 1968 single "I'll Love You Forever Today, which was featured in the movie Two a Penny . [7]

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. "I'll Love You Forever Today" – 3:06
  2. "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" – 3:03

Charts

Chart (1968)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart 27 [8]

Urge Overkill version

"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"
Girl, you'll be a woman soon.jpg
Single by Urge Overkill
from the album Stull (EP) and Pulp Fiction
B-side "Bustin' Surfboards"
Released1994
Length3:10
Label MCA
Songwriter(s) Neil Diamond
Producer(s) Urge Overkill, Kramer
Urge Overkill singles chronology
"Positive Bleeding"
(1993)
"Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"
(1994)
"The Break"
(1995)

American alternative rock band Urge Overkill recorded a cover of the song for their second extended play (EP), Stull (1992). This version would later appear in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction . Issued as a single in late 1994, this version achieved some chart success both domestically and internationally, peaking at number one in Iceland and reaching the top 20 in Flanders, France, and New Zealand. On the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, the song peaked at number 11.

Track listing

CD single

  1. "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" – 3:10
  2. "Bustin' Surfboards" (by the Tornadoes) – 2:27
  3. "Bullwinkle Part II" (by the Centurians) – 2:18

Charts

Chart (1994–1995)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [9] 21
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [10] 22
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [11] 10
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) [12] 29
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [13] 65
France (SNEP) [14] 10
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) [15] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [16] 19
Scotland (OCC) [17] 28
UK Singles (OCC) [18] 37
US Billboard Hot 100 [19] 59
US Modern Rock Tracks ( Billboard ) [20] 11

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United States1994Cassette MCA
United KingdomNovember 7, 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
[21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urge Overkill</span> American rock band

Urge Overkill is an American alternative rock band, formed in Chicago, consisting of Nathan Kaatrud, who took the stage name Nash Kato (vocals/guitar), and Eddie "King" Roeser. They are widely known for their song "Sister Havana" and their cover of Neil Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", which was used in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Oui, their latest album, was released in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm a Believer</span> Neil Diamond song made famous by the Monkees

"I'm a Believer" is a song written by Neil Diamond and recorded by American band the Monkees in 1966 with the lead vocals by Micky Dolenz. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number-one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966, and remained there for seven weeks, becoming the last number-one hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling single for all of 1967. Billboard ranked the record as the number-five song for 1967. While originally published by Screen Gems-Columbia Music (BMI), it is now published by Stonebridge Music/EMI Foray Music (SESAC), with administration passed to Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Red Wine</span> 1967 single by Neil Diamond

"Red Red Wine" is a song originally written, performed and recorded by American singer Neil Diamond in 1967 that appears on his second studio album, Just for You. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a person who finds that drinking red wine is the only way to forget his woes.

<i>Pulp Fiction</i> (soundtrack) 1994 soundtrack album

Music from the Motion Picture Pulp Fiction is the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction, released on September 27, 1994, by MCA Records. No traditional film score was commissioned for Pulp Fiction. The film contains a mix of American rock and roll, surf music, pop and soul. The soundtrack is equally untraditional, consisting of nine songs from the film, four tracks of dialogue snippets followed by a song, and three tracks of dialogue alone. Seven songs featured in the film were not included in the original 41-minute soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Every Woman</span> 1978 single by Chaka Khan

"I'm Every Woman" is a song by American singer Chaka Khan, released as her debut solo single from her first album, Chaka (1978). It was Khan's first hit outside her recordings with the funk band Rufus. "I'm Every Woman" was produced by Arif Mardin and written by the successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The single established Chaka's career outside the group Rufus, whom she would leave after their eighth studio album, Masterjam, was released in late 1979.

"Emma" is a 1974 song by the British soul band Hot Chocolate. Written by band members Errol Brown (vocals) and Tony Wilson (music), the song address themes of suicide, early death and lost childhood. Brown's lyrics celebrate his recently deceased mother. Their rawness was developed after the producer Mickie Most asked him for further "depth and darkness".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can See Clearly Now</span> Song by Johnny Nash

"I Can See Clearly Now" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash. It was the lead single from his album, I Can See Clearly Now (1972), and achieved success in the United States and the United Kingdom when it was released in 1972, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cashbox charts. It also reached number one in Canada and South Africa. The song has been covered by many artists throughout the years, including a hit version by Lee Towers that reached no. 19 in the Dutch Top 40 in 1982, and another recorded by Jimmy Cliff for the motion picture soundtrack of Cool Runnings that peaked at no. 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Love Ways</span> Single by Buddy Holly

"True Love Ways" is a song attributed to Norman Petty and Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly's original was recorded with the Dick Jacobs Orchestra in October 1958, four months before the singer's death. It was first released on the posthumous album The Buddy Holly Story, Vol. 2, in March 1960. The song was first released as a single in Britain in May 1960, reaching number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. It was released the following month in the US, but did not make the charts. In 1988, a UK re-release of the recording by MCA, the single reached no. 65 on the UK singles chart in a 5 week chart run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cracklin' Rosie</span> 1970 single by Neil Diamond

"Cracklin' Rosie" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond in 1970, with instrumental backing by Los Angeles session musicians from the Wrecking Crew, including Hal Blaine on drums, Larry Knechtel on keyboards, Joe Osborn on bass, Al Casey on guitar and Gene Estes on percussion – arranged by Don Randi. The song was included on Diamond's album Tap Root Manuscript. In October 1970 the song became Diamond's first American No. 1 hit within the Billboard Hot 100, and his third to sell a million copies. It was his breakthrough single on the UK Singles Chart, reaching No. 3 for four weeks in November and December. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 17 song of 1970. It also reached No. 2 in both the Australian Singles Chart and the Irish Singles Chart. Its best performance was in New Zealand, where it stayed at No. 1 for five weeks at the end of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silhouettes (The Rays song)</span> Original song written and composed by Bob Crewe and Frank Slay; first recorded by The Rays

"Silhouettes" is a song made famous by the doo-wop group the Rays in 1957, peaking at number 3 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100. A competing version by the Diamonds was also successful. In 1965 it was a number 5 hit in the US for Herman's Hermits, and in 1990 it was a number 10 hit in the UK for Cliff Richard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overkill (Men at Work song)</span> 1983 single by Men At Work

"Overkill" is a song by Australian pop rock band Men at Work. It was released in March 1983 as the second single from their second studio album Cargo. Written by lead singer Colin Hay, it peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100; No. 5 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart; and top 10 in Canada, Ireland, and Norway. The song was a departure from the group's style of reggae-influenced pop rock, featuring a melancholic feel musically and lyrically.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh, Pretty Woman</span> 1964 song by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees

"Oh, Pretty Woman", or simply "Pretty Woman", is a song recorded by Roy Orbison, written by Orbison and Bill Dees. It was released as a single in August 1964 on Monument Records and spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 from September 26, 1964, the second and final single by Orbison (after "Running Scared" to top the US charts. It was also Orbison's third single to top the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devil Woman (Cliff Richard song)</span> 1976 single by Cliff Richard

"Devil Woman" is a 1976 single by British singer Cliff Richard from his album I'm Nearly Famous.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart</span> 1961 single by Cliff Richard

"When the Girl in Your Arms Is the Girl in Your Heart" is a 1961 hit by Cliff Richard written by the songwriting team of Sid Tepper and Roy Bennett who would contribute fifteen songs to the Cliff Richard canon including his career record "The Young Ones". Produced by Richard's regular producer Norrie Paramor, "When the Girl in Your Arms..." featured backing by the Norrie Paramor Orchestra. Richard's own group the Shadows backed him on the B-side "Got a Funny Feeling".

"Daddy's Home" is a famous song by American doo-wop group Shep and the Limelites. The song was written by the three members of the band, James "Shep" Sheppard (1935–1970), Clarence Bassett (1936–2005) and Charles Baskerville. The group recorded the original version of "Daddy's Home" on February 1, 1961, and it was released on Hull Records in March 1961 with the B-side being "This I Know".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Little in Love (Cliff Richard song)</span> 1980 single by Cliff Richard

"A Little in Love" is a song recorded by Cliff Richard, released as the second single from his 1980 album, I'm No Hero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Early in the Morning (Vanity Fare song)</span> 1969 single by Vanity Fare

"Early in the Morning" is a song by British band Vanity Fare, released as a single in June 1969. It became an international hit, peaking at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was awarded a gold disc for sales over one million.

<i>Stull</i> (EP) 1992 EP by Urge Overkill

Stull is the second extended play by the alternative rock band Urge Overkill. It was released in 1992 and would be the band's final major release on independent label Touch and Go Records. The EP's title and cover are direct references to Stull Cemetery, located just west of Lawrence, Kansas. Since the 1970s, urban legends have been spread that the cemetery is one of the seven portals to Hell. Stull also includes a cover of Neil Diamond's song "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", which would later be re-released on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction. Upon re-issue, Urge Overkill's version of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" charted at number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Stull EP received largely positive reviews from critics, with Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic and Johan Kugelberg of Spin both complimenting the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Love You Forever Today</span> 1968 single by Cliff Richard

"I'll Love You Forever Today" is a song by British singer Cliff Richard released as a single in June 1968. It peaked at number 27 on the UK Singles Chart.

"I'll Come Running" is a song written by Neil Diamond. It was first released by Diamond in July 1966 as the B-side to his US top-ten single "Cherry, Cherry", before being included on his debut album The Feel of Neil Diamond, released in August 1966. The song was later covered by Cliff Richard and released as a single in June 1967; it peaked at number 26 in the UK Singles Chart.

References

  1. Sheffield, Rob (2004). "Neil Diamond". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 233-234. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  2. "Spotlight Singles" (PDF). Billboard. March 25, 1967. p. 16. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  3. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 25, 1967. p. 14. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved March 27, 2009)
  5. "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (original version), in various singles charts Dutchcharts.nl (Retrieved March 28, 2009)
  6. "Cliff Richard Song Database - Song Details (Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon)". www.cliffrichardsongs.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  7. Dave Thompson. "Two a Penny - Cliff Richard | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 50 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 30, 2016.
  9. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  10. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  11. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  12. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 12, no. 19. May 13, 1995. p. 23.
  14. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  15. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (1.–7.12 '94)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). December 1, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  16. "Urge Overkill – Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  17. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  18. "Urge Overkill: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  19. "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard . December 17, 1994. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  20. "Alternative Airplay" . Billboard. December 17, 1994. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  21. "Single Releases". Music Week . November 5, 1994. p. 23.