“Red Red Wine” is credited to Neil Diamond on his second studio album, “Just For You,” released on August 25, 1967. However, according to Dominique Zgarka, Executive Vice President at The SRG – ILS Group LLC, the song was actually bought by Diamond from an unknown Jamaican songwriter.
The SRG – ILS Group (Independent Label Services) LLC, a division of Universal Music Group, and Zgarka, a veteran music executive, commenting on a World Music Views post, stating, “Neil Diamond didn’t write Red Red Wine. He bought it or more like swindled from a Jamaican writer he never paid his legal righter’s shares.”
The French music executive who was the first to sign Grace Jones in the 1970s further explained to WMV, “He bought it from a Jamaican writer who was never ever paid, from what I have told from reliable sources, his writer’s share. Which by law writers’ shares can never be sold.”
Independent Label Services represents UB40 worldwide and the song went to #1 in the UK when the British Reggae band re-recorded the track in 1983. They re-released their version in 1988 and it went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“UB40 obviously do not have any publishing on the tune,” Dominique proclaimed.
UB40 thoroughly extracted every essence from “Red Red Wine,” originally a melancholic country ballad about seeking solace in alcohol.
When UB40, renowned for their British interpretation of Jamaican reggae, dropped their album “Labour of Love” featuring reggae covers, it marked a pivotal moment in their career. Departing from their usual politically charged lyrics, the band aimed to pay homage to the roots of their sound and unearthed hidden gems from Jamaica’s musical history with commercial potential.
However, they initially assumed that “Red Red Wine” was penned by an obscure Jamaican artist named Negus Diamond, but that turned out to be a misconception per Financial Times.
Neil Diamond is listed composer of the song recorded during his early days as a struggling songwriter but a composition has two sets of rights. “(There is) the writer’s share and the publisher’s share. The writer’s share is the right attributed to the songwriter/composer and the publisher’s share refers to the share of revenue for which admin rights can be attributed to a music publishing administrator,” explains Zgarka.
The song’s genre trajectory changed with Tony Tribe’s reggae interpretation in 1969.
Tribe’s version infused the song with a ska rhythm, captivating British skinheads and propelling it to #46 on the UK Singles Chart. Tribe’s promising career was tragically cut short by a fatal car accident.
UB40’s rendition solidified “Red Red Wine” as a reggae classic, later echoed in diverse interpretations by artists like Elan. Even Neil Diamond himself embraced the reggae vibe during live performances.
IN 2022, Neil Diamond sold his entire music catalog, along with Red Red Wine and 110 unreleased songs, to Universal Music Group. The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, includes Diamond’s master recordings, an unreleased album, and archival videos. Diamond, has been with Universal Music Publishing Group since 2014, and with hits like “Sweet Caroline” and “Cracklin’ Rosie,” his legendary career spans over 130 million albums sold and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. The acquisition ensures that any future releases from Diamond will be with Universal Music Group.
