Cracklin’ Rosie

Of all the classic songs he’s written, “Cracklin’ Rosie” may be the one Neil Diamond’s spent the most time explaining. No, it’s not about a seductive woman – not literally, anyway. Or a fast train, even though it opens with the words “get on board.” But if you thought of red, red wine, you’re on the right track. It all began with a story he learned while touring in Canada. After chatting with an interviewer whose parents were missionaries, he asked her for some of the local folk tales. The one that stuck with him was about a reservation where men outnumbered women. Over the weekend, “these poor chaps would rush down to their local general store and get themselves a large bottle of a very cheap wine called Crackling Rose. The story goes that the wine becomes their woman for the weekend.”