But it includes the masters and rights for all of his hits, such as “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie” and “Song Sung Blue,” as well as 110 unreleased tracks, an unrelated album, and archival long-form videos, according to THR.
The deal doesn’t just cover songs he sang, but also ones some people may not realize were his, such as, “Red Red Wine,” which was made famous by UB40 and “I’m a Believer” made famous by “The Monkees.”
Universal Music Group also now owns the rights to any music Diamond releases in the future, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Diamond had worked with Universal, as he published with UMG’s MCA Records during the height of his fame. Universal has been the singer’s publishing administrator since 2014, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The 81-year-old songwriter is the latest in the string of big-name performers to sell their catalogs over the past year, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks, The New York Times reported.
Diamond’s agreement is similar to the one that Springsteen signed with Sony that will bring all of the artist’s work under a single company, instead of the more traditional deal that has recordings and songwriting as separate agreements, and sometimes managed by separate companies, the Times reported.
Through the years American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond concentrates during a chess game, 1972. (Photo by Jack Kay/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Jack Kay/Getty Images)
Through the years American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond plays chess in Kensington Gardens, London, with fan Joy Anderson (right), who presented him with the set on behalf of his fan club, UK, 25th May 1972. Diamond is in Britain at the start of his month-long European tour. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Through the years American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, UK, 12th December 1974. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer/songwriter Neil Diamond attends the Broadway opening of "Come Fly Away" at the Marriott Marquis on March 25, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Through the years Neil Diamond sings his song "Sweet Caroline" in the eighth inning as the Boston Red Sox play the New York Yankees on April 4, 2010 during Opening Night at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years Inductee Neil Diamond accepts his award onstage at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf-Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Through the years Inductee Neil Diamond poses in the press room at the 26th annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at The Waldorf-Astoria on March 14, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Through the years Musician Neil Diamond accepts the Icon Award during the 2011 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena May 22, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for ABC) (Ethan Miller)
Through the years The five recipients of the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors, Back row, from left to right: musician Yo-Yo Ma; actress Meryl Streep; and singer Neil Diamond. Front row, from left to right: musician Sonny Rollins; and actress Barbara Cook pose for a photo following a dinner hosted by United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the U.S. Department of State December 3, 2011 in Washington, DC. President Barack Obama will host the five recipients of the 34th Kennedy Center Honors at a White House reception Sunday before attending the evening gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The 2011 honorees are actress Meryl Streep, singer Neil Diamond, actress Barbara Cook, musician Yo-Yo Ma, and musician Sonny Rollins..(Photo by Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images) (Pool/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer Neil Diamond attends a ceremony honoring him with the 2,475th Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 10, 2012 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) Singer Neil Diamond, and music producers Quincy Jones, Clive Davis, and Berry Gordy attend the 26th Anniversary Carousel Of Hope Ball presented by Mercedes-Benz at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 20, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer Neil Diamond performs during the 26th Anniversary Carousel Of Hope Ball presented by Mercedes-Benz at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 20, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Through the years Singer Neil Diamond arrives at the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Through the years Neil Diamond sings "Sweet Caroline" during a game between the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox in the 8th inning at Fenway Park on April 20, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) (Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Through the years Neil Diamond performs during a rehearsal for the 'A Capitol Fourth 2013 Independence Day Concert' on the West Lawn of the US Capitol on July 3, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for Capital Concerts) (Kris Connor)
Through the years Neil Diamond performs at the 84th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting at Rockefeller Center on November 30, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Through the years Johnny Mercer Award Honoree Neil Diamond attends the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame ) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hal)
Through the years Honoree Neil Diamond performs onstage during the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame ) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hal)
Through the years Neil Diamond accepts the Johnny Mercer Award onstage during the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame ) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hal)
Through the years In this screengrab Neil Diamond appears during the 2020 Carousel of Hope Ball benefiting the Children’s Diabetes Foundation on October 10, 2020 - Region AMER. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for Children's Diabetes Foundation ) (Getty Images/["Getty Images for Children's Di)