Neil Diamond’s “Honest” Features Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers; Album Sets New Bob Dylan Record

Neil Diamond’s 27th album, Home Before Dark, marked a significant milestone in his musical career. The album featured contributions from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench, who also worked with Diamond on his previous Rick Rubin-produced album, 12 Songs. Both albums offered a more stripped-back sound, emphasizing Diamond’s vocals and introspective lyrics.

Diamond described Home Before Dark as a major step in his evolution as a songwriter and artist. He acknowledged that writing this album was the most challenging and personal work he had done, highlighting the song “Act Like a Man” as an especially honest and self-reflective piece. The track explores Diamond’s inner dialogue about his career and authenticity, with lyrics that question whether he has been true to himself or merely a poser.

Collaboration With Heartbreakers and Themes

Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench’s involvement added depth to the album’s sound while maintaining Diamond’s signature style. The collaboration brought a cohesive feel that blends Heartbreakers’ rock influences with Diamond’s storytelling. In interviews, Diamond expressed that many songs on the album are conversations with himself about his life’s journey, aiming for authenticity rather than commercial success.

Record-Breaking Chart Success

Home Before Dark achieved notable commercial success by topping the UK and US charts. With this achievement, Diamond became the oldest artist at age 67 to reach number one on the Billboard 200, surpassing Bob Dylan’s previous record. Dylan had held that title at age 65 for Modern Times but briefly regained it later. Diamond’s record-setting album included deluxe bonus tracks featuring a cover of Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” and Harry Nilsson’s “Without Her.”

The album’s success reinforced Diamond’s status as a resilient and evolving artist. He describes the creative process as independent of critical acclaim, focusing instead on honest expression regardless of external validation. The ongoing collaboration with Rubin and members of the Heartbreakers continues to shape the mature, thoughtful sound of his later works.