"Holly Holy" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond with instrumental backing provided by L.A. session musicians from The Wrecking Crew. Released as a single on October 13, 1969, it was quite successful as the follow-on to "Sweet Caroline", reaching number 6 on the U.S. pop singles chart by December. It became a gold record and then eventually platinum.
A work with a spiritual focus, "Holly Holy" was influenced by gospel music and was Diamond's favorite of the songs he had written to that point. It begins quietly with acoustic guitar against a bass line, with the sparse lyric stretched with elongated vowels. Gradually the arrangement builds up with a tempo shift in the bridge and a backing choir against strings lasting throughout.
"Holly Holy" was later included on Diamond's November 1969 album Touching You, Touching Me. It has been included in live versions on Diamond's Hot August Night (from 1972) and Greatest Hits: 1966–1992 (from 1992), as well as in various compilations.
Holly holy eyes
Dreams of only dreams
Well I am what I am
What I believe
Holly holy
Holly holy dreams
Wanting only you
Yes she comes
And I run just like the wind will
Holly holy
Sing, sing a song
Sing, sing a song of songs
Sing, sing it out loud
We'll sing a song
Let me hear you say, yeah, yeah, yeah
Call the sun in the dead of the night
And the sun will rise in the sky
Touch a man who can't walk upright
And the lame man will be alright
And I fly and I fly
Holly holy eyes
Wanting only you
And I see, will it be for everyone
Holly holy
Sing, sing a song
Sing, sing a song of songs
Sing, sing it out loud
We'll sing a song
Sing, sing a song
Sing, sing a song of songs
Sing, sing it out loud