Diamonds in music

By now we all know very well that diamonds have always been the most fascinating and desired stone, therefore, it is no surprise to find them in the culture of ancient civilizations, in religious and pagan symbolism, in cinema and art. Not even music could resist their charm and many songs prove it.

More and more songwriters have included diamonds in their lyrics alluding both to their classical meaning of the precious stone and to the strong symbolic charge that distinguishes them. Diamonds have inspired artists from all over the world with their inimitable shine and strength and their status as the supreme stone has made them the protagonists of many famous hits now known and sung by all.

Artists from Marilyn Monroe to Drake have mentioned them in their lyrics as a symbol of love, luxury, excess, sparkle, and money.
While there are too many songs to count reference the sparkle and shine, today I have selected three iconic songs about diamonds that made the history of music: from the unforgettable Beatles to some of the most successful singers of today.

You are not a fan of pop music? Don’t worry, I have picked up songs from different genres, so if you feel that the beginning is not for you, don’t give up and read to the end, I am sure you will find what you are looking for!

Let’s start with one of the most controversial and debated songs of all time because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t like a little bit of gossip?

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds was composed by The Beatles in 1967 and, as soon as it got released, it became the subject of heated discussion and various interpretations. Despite the public proclamations about John Lennon’s drug use, the singer steadfastly denied that the song was about drugs. Instead, he consistently claimed that his inspiration for that track came from a picture painted by his son Julian. Apparently, the kid brought the picture home from school and told his father that it represented one of his friends, Lucy, who was up in the sky with diamonds. Moreover, Lennon said that the text is a succession of allegories and images inspired by the surreal and dreamlike atmospheres of Lewis Carrol’s famous novels Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Would you ever have guessed? Well, that’s just the start, so wait until you hear the rest.

Moving toward something more contemporary, let’s have a look at Rihanna’s famous hit Diamonds.
I am sure you have already sung this song a hundred times, but did you know that it wasn’t Rihanna who wrote it?

Indeed, the lyrics were written by Sia together with her producers, Benny Blanco and StarGate. Diamonds is a pop, electronic and R&B ballad that combines orchestral sounds and electronic rhythms, and its success is due precisely to this versatility of sounds. The song’s lyrics make a clear reference to the themes of unhealthy relationships that characterised Rihanna’s previous singles and promote a hopeful and bright concept of love.

So far so good, but now let’s change pitch and let’s move to rap music.

Can you really call it a rap song if you don’t hear anything about flaunting diamonds? Probably not.

Jewelry has always had a special place in hip-hop: heavy gold chains, sparkling watches, and diamonds are a must-have outfit for all artists worthy of that name. In Diamonds Dancing, Young Thug and Gunna brag about the quality of their diamonds, which appear to be dancing under the light. Travis Scott says in the text that his diamond necklace is so heavy that it beats down on his chest, while Gunna boasts about his girlfriend, showing off her initials on an expensive label.

But the history of diamonds in music doesn’t end here. They have actually become so famous to become a symbol of reward for many albums.
As you probably already know, the fame of a single release is classified according to the number of units sold. We have for instance the so-called Gold record for a single or album that sells 500,000 units, the Platinum award for albums able to sell one million units, and singles selling two million units. However, in 1999, the RIAA instituted the Diamond award for albums or singles selling ten million units.

So what are you waiting for? Turn up the music and get ready to sing at the top of your lungs like a real star.