Pretty Amazing??

"There are two kinds of people in this world... those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't." - Bob Wiley (What About Bob)

Well, I just heard his new single (Neil's, not Bob's) "Pretty Amazing Grace", and while I'm not one for writing reviews of things... I have to come right out and say that somethin ain't right with this song. First of all, if it's supposed to be about God's grace, I'm pretty sure the first famous song written about it did a better job of conveying the Amazing factor. What's up with adding the word "pretty"? What exactly does he mean? In the English/American language the word "pretty" has taken on several different connotations.

1. it could mean something akin to "beautiful", but not quite worthy of that title. In other words, "Nice looking or somewhat attractive Amazing grace."
2. it could be used in reference to something that's mediocre. . . like, "I'm doing pretty well." Again, conveying that you could be doing better.
3. you could say something like, "that's pretty darn amazing." . . . and use the word "pretty" to emphasize the adjective, trying to make it more powerful than it would be by itself.

Assuming Neil is doing the latter, and really believes that Grace is pretty DARN amazing-- you'd think he'd create a song that had a little more, how do you say, "umph" to it? His lyrics, while pointing to some nice truths about being saved and restored from his dark and empty life, are accompanied by some "pretty corny" repetition, both in the melody of the song and the chorus-- which, you guessed it, is simply the words "Pretty Amazing." ... which again, leave you wondering just how amazing he believes this grace is.
I only watched the lackluster clip of him singing it on American Idol (from last night)... but you'd think of all moments in time, they'd be doing their best to "jazz" it up and make it everything it could possibly be for its big debut... Not only did he look malaised at best, but his band barely had any notes to contribute and his back up singers (dressed in some scantily clad black dresses) had ONE "pretty amazing" line the whole song. ... perhaps you can guess what that was... (hint: it was during the chorus)... The audience swayed their arms in the air in classic fan fashion, but it almost looked like they didn't know what else to do with the cheezey beat.
I don't know the story behind the song... maybe Neil has had a significant encounter with God and has truly been transformed into a new man. But watching him perform the song made me wonder if his encounter was more with a depressant or a hypnotist. If you've ever seen the movie A Mighty Wind, it reminded me of the song "Never Did No Wanderin..." -- which was meant to be a mock on all folk music, half sung/half spoken lyrics to a pretty simplistic and unexciting tune.
I'm all for getting the message of God's TRULY Amazing Grace out there to the world. And I think people like Neil are terrific vessels to do so... I just think it's a shame that when all is said and done, we're left with a non-descriptive chorus stuck in our heads that is really just pretty annoying.
If you love the song, please don't be offended-- I'm actually still in the category of those who like Neil Diamond. In fact I think he's pretty darn great. Which is why I'm pretty darn disappointed... and can only hope that people aren't turned off to how pretty darn amazing Grace truly is!