Music of the Day, 17 February 2025
leavin' me lonely still
I had most of a typical essay written about why today’s MotD came to mind this morning, but I deleted it. The music itself offers at least a hint of an explanation.
I don’t remember when the deeper meaning of “feeling seen” came in to wide usage. I do remember that “I Am… I Said” was one of the first songs I heard that gave me that feeling of being seen… understood… valued… for just being me. The song is just shy of being 54 years old, and it still does that for me.
Endless bad sing-along versions of Sweet Caroline ruined Neil for me. This may be the only song of his that I can still listen to without cringing.
Awwww man, I LOVE Neil Diamond! I grew up listening to his music on my dad’s reel to reel mixtapes. One of the first two albums I purchased with my own money was a Neil Diamond record (“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”); the other was the Bee Gees’ “Spirits Having Flown”.
I managed to see him twice in concert, the first time being in Cleveland just hours after I’d seen my childhood hero Dan Marino inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton; an auspicious day indeed!
I’d place “I Am I Said” firmly in my top ten of Diamond songs, possibly top five. Such a magnificent artist with a deep and varied catalog.
Thanks for the wonderful walk down memory lane today!