Two-Bit Manchild

"Two-Bit Manchild" is a song written and performed by Neil Diamond. It appears on Neil's 1968 album Velvet Gloves and Spit, and was released as an A-side with a B-side of "Broad Old Woman (6 a.m. Insanity)". It is a "strong and interesting" song according to Robert Jamieson.[1]

"Two-Bit Manchild"
Single by Neil Diamond
from the album Velvet Gloves and Spit
B-side"Broad Old Woman (6 AM Insanity)"
Released1968 (1968)
Recorded1968
GenrePop, Rock
Length3:04
LabelUni
Songwriter(s)Neil Diamond
Producer(s)Tom Catalano, Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond singles chronology
"Brooklyn Roads" "Two-Bit Manchild" "Shilo"

"Two-Bit Manchild" also appears on the Neil Diamond compilation albums Glory Road 1968-1972, Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings Plus, Gold, and Reflections.

The site Allmusic recommends "Two-Bit Manchild" as one of the top four songs on the album Velvet Gloves and Spit, calling it, "a fascinating adaptation of his Brill Building-era sound to a personal/introspective lyric and approach (picture the Monkees' sound melded to a singer/songwriter persona)."[2] It has also been described as "brilliant and very Bang-ish"[3] and a "jewel".[4] The opening riff is also reminiscent of Day Tripper by The Beatles.

Debut

Neil Diamond performed "Two-Bit Manchild" on July 2, 1968, on Showcase 68. Officially released as a 45 single in July, 1968 with the B-Side "Broad Old Woman (6 a.m. Insanity)" as UNI 55075. It eventually reached #66 on the charts.[5]

At least two versions of the 45 sleeve were released. One featured a picture of Neil Diamond. The other featured a swirly, psychedelic graphic. It was arranged by Renzetti, Altman, Cerone, Richards and Sandler.

International release

In the United Kingdom, "Two-Bit Manchild" was also released with Broad Old Woman (6 a.m. Insanity) as the B-Side. It was released by MCA records in August 1968,[6] and licensed by MCA INC. USA as UK MCA MU 1033. It did not chart in the U.K.

Subsequent history

The copyright has been registered twice, first as EP0000284487 on December 12, 1970, and again as RE0000772415 on January 2, 1998.[7]

The poor chart performance of "Two-Bit Manchild" forebode the poor chart performance of Velvet Gloves and Spit.[8] "Two-Bit Manchild" is now considered one of the "obscurities" of Neil Diamond's catalog.[9] "Two-Bit Manchild" was covered by Australian pop singer Johnny Farnham on his second studio album Everybody Oughta Sing a Song released on EMI Records in November 1968. The song is now covered by the Neil Diamond coverers Nine Inch Neils,[10] and Mike Tyler.[11]

Non-performance on American Idol

On April 29, 2008, contestants on American Idol sang Neil Diamond penned songs. One song they did not perform was "Two-Bit Manchild". Perhaps, as New York suggested, it was too "on-the-nose."[12] Some were "desperate" that David Cook perform it.[13]

References
  1. Jamieson, Robert. "Neil Diamond: Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings . . . Plus! < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  2. Bruce Eder. "Velvet Gloves and Spit - Neil Diamond | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-10-14.
  3. "The Shelved Neil Diamond Bang Box Set - Both Sides Now Stereo Chat Board". Bsnpubs.websitetoolbox.com. 2010-04-19. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  4. Armstrong, Gene. "Rhythm & Views | Rhythm & Views". Tucson Weekly. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  5. "LOOKING BACK-1968-Neil Diamond Through The Years". Tomziber.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  6. "Neil Diamond - Two Bit Manchild / Broad Old Woman - MCA - MU 1033". 45cat. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  7. "It's so strange (the way love works) w & m Neil Diamond, Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich part 2 - song, music - Copyright Info". Faqs.org. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  8. Jackson, Laura (2004-11-04). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music ... - Google Books. ISBN 9781550227079. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  9. Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2002). All music guide to rock: the ... - Google Books. ISBN 9780879306533. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  10. US. "Neil Diamond Tribute - Nine Inch Neils | Gratis muziek, tourneedata, foto's, video's". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  11. "Mike Tyler - Neil Diamond Tribute - Biography". Archived from the original on October 28, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  12. "Neil Diamond May Destroy 'American Idol' Tonight - Vulture". Nymag.com. 2008-04-29. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  13. "American Idol News. Battle Over Song Choices for Neil Diamond Week. | Pond Culture". Pondculture.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
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