Journalist RIPPED Icon and His HIT…Got SO MUCH Hate Mail He Made a Public Apology!-Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the FUNNIEST song of all time? One that make you laugh every time?

[@Goup-oj4qr]

Just A Gigolo Diamond Dave

[@christineml1476]

"White and Nerdy" by Weird Al, it's also my ringtone.

[@peterd.9978]

The Candy Wrapper Song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWHPnGRqotSCq9Usi=IluZ_oJPP2bw1qNO

[@floydshambles]

Dynamo Hum by Frank Zappa

[@surlechapeau]

‘Tell your mama, tell your pa, gonna send you back to Arkansas’ -What I’d Say- Ray Charles. Funniest lyrics.

[@trubrit5036]

I have had the privilege of seeing him perform in a small studio, where he came out and walked in front of us. I was on the front row. He was singing Love on the Rocks. The emotion when he sang, was palpable. What a privilege it was. He filled his performance with the experiences of his life. Thank you for this video.

[@alindasue]

I never really thought of the "even the chair" line as allegorical or "stupid." The empty chair in the room was merely a continuation of the 'to no one there' thought, emphasizing his loneliness. It's really a brilliant line that heightens the emotional feel of the song.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That line supports the fact that there’s no one else in the room and he’s feeling lonely.

[@LaManteca76]

Yes the chair line always hit home to me. I think of that line often when I'm feeling down & lonely.

[@tracypaxton1054]

Yes, I like Dave Barry but he missed the point with that one.

[@BridgetStuart]

Agreed

[@daflotsam]

Though I’m intrigued by the therapist chair idea shared in this video, I’m still of the mind of it being as you mentioned. I picture Neil escaping the buzz and brilliance of a post-show whirlwind where thousands were screaming for him, and then finally secluding into some high-rise hotel suite where the intimate silence has him sitting and staring at the furniture across from him. Though it shares this personal space with him, it shares no closeness.

[@deb4578]

"not even the chair" has always been my favorite line in the song.

[@TimothyWiebe-v2y]

‘ 🎶… not even the chair’ And the critic totally misunderstood him. That makes it perfect 👍

[@jerryhong4304]

The days of the singer songwriter. Being a teenager in the 70s I loved the songs then but truly appreciate his songs, and others, so much more now. Mr. Diamond, thank you for sharing, from a fan from Brooklyn

[@scottburton9701]

"I Am,I Said" is a certifiable classic from start to finish.

[@mr.t8562]

I remember when "I am I said" was released. It was and still is a great song. Who ever cares what a Journalist thinks. If the music touches you; then its good music.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

If it sounds like great music, it’s great music.

[@chipgaasche4933]

Well, Dave Barry was right..but so are you. Lol

[@williamashton9235]

One of the top ten songs Diamond wrote! And this is the guy who came up with "I'm a Believer," "Solitary Man," "Cracklin' Rosie," "I'll Come Running," and, of course, "Sweet Caroline." Not to mention "Red, Red Wine."

[@bobgrayson6220]

Wrong... A lot of people are touched by or just plain Love... Bad Music ! You will hear tons of people praising and loving the terrible Music that is out today ! A lot of people have terrible taste in music !

[@Brunoburningbright]

​@@williamashton9235and Holly Holy and A Little Bit Me and Sunday Sun and...

[@kevinkarp5127]

I worked at a concert venue for almost 30 years and have luckily met a lot of the performers that are featured on this channel. It's so great to get a deeper background on so many songs and people in the music industry.

[@bildo1977]

My father played bass guitar for three of Diamond’s songs: Shilo, Solitary Man, and The Boat That I Row. My dad was Diamond’s first pick to tour with him. My dad declined because he didn’t want to live on the road.

[@BryanWallace-e6s]

Wow!

[@justsittingherethinking2530]

One of the first songs I remember that really touched my heart. I love that guy!

[@vincentini1]

This hits close to home. My late mother's favorite performer was Neil. She saw him maybe 5+ times (when I was in radio, got her 5th row seats in the early 90's). Even when she was suffering from dementia, she never lost her love of his songs, and remembered every lyric. Thanks again @professorofrock for this one!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you for sharing! Neil is a legend and such a beautiful memory with your Mother. Rock on!

[@flavellinator]

My mother had the same sentiments towards Neil and also eventually suffered from dementia. Passed away at age 78... My heart goes out to you

[@vincentini1]

@@flavellinator And to you as well. Lost Mom to Cancer almost 17 years ago. And I had a lot of Neil in the music we played at her visitation. I don't like the depressing funeral home music, we had Neil, The Beach Boys, Jan and Dean, lots of the Echo in the Canyon groups (if you've seen Jakob Dylan's documentary).

[@akm2743]

My mother taught my brother and me to love Neil, and we saw him twice in concert. Mom passed away last June and unfortunately, I am still unable to listen to him. 😔

[@Dave-lq2le]

I heard Neil is 82 and suffering from Parkinsons. Sad.

[@kevinforth7618]

Being a rocker, I haven't spent much time listening to Neil Diamond, but we all know his songs ... and DAMN, that voice. One of the best. I honestly respect this artist and his music.

[@bobgrayson6220]

Only small minded people listen to just one genre of music ! Especially 70s music... 70s music was great across all genres ! Pop... Funk... Soul... Disco... Rock... All were pumpin' out great music at the same time ! Even Country Artists were making some great songs in the 70s ! And Country sucks ! But listen to A Boy named Sue by Johnny Cash... Or The Night the Lights Went out in Georgia by Vicki Lawrence... that is one of the greatest stories ever ! And that Johnny Cash song is one of the most unbelievable songs ever written ! He recorded it in a prison... And you could hear guys laughing at this unbelievable story he was telling ! He hunted down his father for naming him Sue and abandoning the family when he was a kid... with the name of Sue ! The story of him fighting with his father was funny AF... His father pulled out a knife and cut him.. Johnny pulled out a gun ! 😂 I remember hearing that song on the radio as a kid... As an adult, I'm like... They played this on the radio ? It's One of the most fun to listen to songs ever ! Johnny talks about how he had to beat the hell out of guys who laughed at his name in school.. He said I grew up quick and I grew up mean... If you never heard the song you gotta check it out... I won't tell you how it ended... But Johnny did have a Gat ! 😂

[@williamashton9235]

"A Boy Named Sue" was written by Shel Silverstein, best known today for his children's books ("The Giving Tree," "Where the Sidewalk Ends," etc., but also a great cartoonist and witty songwriter ("The Unicorn," One's on the Way," Sylvia's Mother," etc.) See the movie "Thelma and Louise."

[@bobgrayson6220]

@@williamashton9235 You're kidding... Johnny Cash didn't write A Boy named Sue ? If that's true, Johnny Cash might be the biggest fraud in history ! He wrote a song about being in Folsom Prison... I heard he's never been to any Prison ! But A Boy named Sue is a fantastic classic ! I love that he recorded the song in a prison... You can hear guys laughing at the crazy story... Unless that's fake too !

[@novelideas1]

My mom raised me on Neil Diamond songs. Her spirit feels a little closer whenever I hear him sing.

[@gailabert7976]

I've seen Neil many times in concert, but the way he sang "I AM I Said" in 2009 in Ontario, CA.,was so awesome and gut wrenching that he got such an enthusiastic standing ovation! I lived my teen years and beyond relying on Neil's music...I just love that man.....I even got to meet him in person backstage at the Greek Theatre in 1971 thanks to my Dad!.....Thank you for the video. :-)

[@cord5068]

Fantastic and touching song. "Brooklyn Roads" is another one of my favorites. So many great songs.

[@marktaylor8659]

I was in a band in the mid 70s with two other friends from high school and we rode around in one of my friends '73 Ford Maverick blasting this song from the "Hot August Night" 8-track. I played the bass, the owner of the car played guitar and the other guy played drums. It was this song and "Holly Holy" from that album that gave me the understanding of the relationship between the bass guitar and the drums, particularly the bass drum. Thanks for sharing this story.

[@millerjw135]

Crazy that this was today’s story. My Dad’s favorite performer was Neil, and we had many moments together that are instantly recalled when one of his classics comes on. My Dad passed away one year ago tomorrow. Keep the content coming, and thank you!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

So sorry for your loss..

[@LaManteca76]

I'm so sorry for your loss😔

[@LaManteca76]

@@marktait2371 Hang in there guys. The 1rst year always hard. I wish y'all the best.

[@amethystanne4586]

I am so sorry for your loss. The first year is hard. It does eventually not hurt as bad.

[@DG-uh8uv]

I know how it feels to lose your dad and I am so sorry for your loss.

[@DaveCosley]

I've always loved I am, I Said. Such a beautiful song.

[@MickeytheTorch]

Neil Diamond led me to play the guitar when I was a teen. I got the book for the Hot August Night album and learned to play every song in it. Really helped me through a tough adolescence (which included being homeless, so not exaggerating). I couldn't really sing, but when I held the last note of "Play Me," I thought there might be something there. Years later, that thought led me to take voice lessons, and I spent 15 years in an opera company. I got to thank him at a record signing in the 80s, when I had him sign a new copy of HAN for me, my old one having worn out years ago. Then I jokingly suggested he write "To Mike, with all my respect and admiration..." He snorted and wrote "To Mike, good luck!..." I was laughing so I hope he got the joke. Anyway, he truly is an inspiration, and his sharing of his deep feelings help so many of us.

[@richardm756]

Mickey, I did exactly the same things as you... bought the HAN book and learned to play guitar along with Neil... There was nothing better than playing those songs in the dark and imagining I was on stage with Neil at the Greek Theatre. I am now a singer/songwriter myself and, while none of my songs will ever reach the heights of Neil's masterpieces, I like to think there's a small amount of him in each one...

[@josephnebeker7976]

I could never say I have one absolute favorite song from Neil Diamond. So many of them are so good and deeply personal to me, but I Am I Said is absolutely at the top of the list. It is easily one of the best songs ever written. As for the chair line, I always took it as a very poignant representation of his loneliness in the song. An empty chair with no one sitting in it to hear him.

[@kimdawcatgirl]

Love Neil Diamond. Im 60 and grew up with Neil's songs. All great!

[@16Elless]

My first husband was a massive Neil Diamond fan & used to play his albums all the time when we were married (1978 - 1983), me on the other hand really didn’t like his music at all, which I think made him play them even more! As a pretty insecure 20 year old I think I felt 2nd best & quite resentful, however crazy that sounds! Many years later he was killed in a road accident & I was devastated. Even though we’d been divorced for a long time he was the love of my life. I started listening to Neil’s music, old & new and I got a lot of comfort from so many songs. Wonderful lyrics & melodies with so much meaning. Wish I’d appreciated his music before like I do now.

[@88mmrr]

Excellent heart felt post.

[@kathrynmessner1884]

My first concert was to see Neil Diamond. Remember the performance like it was yesterday. Love this artist. Thanks for this episode.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Kathryn!

[@scottroder5516]

My now deceased older brother had a Neil Diamond 8 track in his car. I think it was love at the Greek, or Hot August Night. Since my brother thought it was cool, I did too. I bought my own Neil Diamond music when I got out of the army. Neil's music just makes me think of those great teenage years I experienced with my brother.

[@lesHanalala]

As a teen, I kept a small framed photo of Neil on my bedside table. What a gifted writer and performer!! ❤

[@garyfishel9612]

I related to this song being an only child. Was blown away first time I heard it as a kid. Big fan of Neil Diamond. Also a big fan of Dave Barry. His books are hilarious! I've spent many hours laughing while reading his books. Critics have to understand Dave Barry's satire and not be so sensitive. Think I'll listen to some good Neil Diamond music today while shopping online for Dave's book.

[@tonyherrera9329]

Neil Diamond hit the charts when I was in my teens. So, I grew up and was a fan of his many iterations of songs, inspirations and interpretations. Sweet Caroline, Holly Holy, Soolaiman, Done Too Soon. There's an array of feelings and influences. But, his soundtrack works on "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" and the "Jazz Singer" are especially appealing to me. I've seen him in twice, in concert. Never a dull moment and an integral part of the soundtrack of my life. Thank you, Neil. You've always been the best therapy.

[@trinaq]

Neil Diamond is an incredibly gifted singer and songwriter. I love how he seemed to get inspiration from the simplest of things.

[@ProfessorofRock]

No kidding. Such a legend!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

One of the greatest.

[@Dave-lq2le]

Great singer, song writer, performer, and actor!! Loved him in The Jazz Singer!!❤ Thanks Professor!! 😎👍

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@Dave-lq2le]

@@ProfessorofRock Love the 60's run you've been on!! Keep 'em comin'!!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Will do!@@Dave-lq2le

[@donnahalper9110]

I was covering a Neil Diamond concert in Boston for ABC Radio and he told the story of how this song was written. I also got to interview him-- Neil was very kind to me (I had just graduated from college and was a very new music reporter, but he could not have been more encouraging) and I never forgot it. And to this day, two songs of Neil's bring tears to my eyes: I Am I Said and Holly Holy. @@ProfessorofRock

[@flavellinator]

Huge Neil fan ... Was shocked when I went to his concert and saw how completely pumped up the audience was from beginning to end. I Am I Said was one of my mom's favorite songs and a great proclamation....

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Flave! WHat's your favorite by him? would like to know!

[@Lam_3-22-23]

Neil could have gotten Tampa Bay Rays fans wound up.

[@flavellinator]

@@ProfessorofRock Gotta go with "Cracklin' Rosie"... It's so infectious and nostalgic for me... Clearly takes me back to when I was a youngin'...

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

A concert you won’t forget!

[@bobgrayson6220]

Imagine having a playlist that goes from I am I Said and Cracklin' Rose... To the hardest Gangsta Rap ! That's how good Neil Diamond is... And a lot of other 60s and 70s classic songs ! American music was so good from the 50s to the 90s... Rap was good until about 2008... But music now is terrible ! A few songs are Good, but most is overrated garbage... Like Drake and Bad Bunny ! I did just hear a really good song by Dua Lipa though....

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Neil's lyrics are usually so deep that interpretation is left up to the listener. I believe he feels emotions and interactions so deep that when he finds the words we can all feel where he is coming from. One of the absolute best songwriters ever. Can you do his hit in the 80s Heart light the music on this is stellar. He career is amazing! Great episode professor more Diamond!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I love Heartlight. Reminds me of my dad. Thanks My Name!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The song is so deep it’s spiritual! I love the ways he paints a vivid picture in this song.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 agree

[@JoshuaBrillowski]

"Stellar" music? Ha, ha. The song was written about an extra-terrestrial and a 10-year-old boy, so of course it was! Some excerpts from its lyrics... "Gonna take a ride across the moon, just you and me." "'Cause sometimes the world ain't kind, when people get lost like you and me." "A friend is someone you need, but now that he had to go away." "He's lookin' for home, 'cause everyone needs a place, and home's the most excellent place of all." "And I'll be right here if you should call me, turn on your heartlight." "Let it shine wherever you go, let it make a happy glow, for all the world to see."

[@MyName-pl7zn]

@@JoshuaBrillowski thank you, I don't know why I never thought about this, you are 100 percent correct!

[@mitchellbaker9434]

As a Brooklyn boy myself, I always have found it cool that the second most popular entertainer in Erasmus High School history teamed up with the most popular, Barbra Streisand, to record You Don't Bring Me Flowers (which Diamond co-wrote for a sitcom originally), which was a number 1 Billboard hit.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's a great story for sure. One of the biggest duets ever!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

That’s right, they both went to high school together!

[@arthurevans2029]

Streisand is horrible though😄

[@mrcyde]

We listened to best of Neil Diamond and Jonathan Livingston Seagull tapes on car trips all through my childhood. This one always stood out to me. I didn't understand it as a kid, but his songs made my heart sing. As an adult, I feel it more. Thank you Neil.

[@SParisi-w5u]

Great comment. I am so glad you mentioned that album. It is an amazing and gorgeous piece of work that seems to have been forgotten by most. It was quite an 'out of the box' piece of work from Neil's other music. He took a big risk with that one, but the outcome was/is phenomenal. Thanks again for the reminder as that is one that I am now going to dust off and enjoy again.

[@markfey-head8208]

The JLS album is a masterpiece! I listen to it at least once a month.

[@garygeorge9648]

@@markfey-head8208 He had an ability to arrange his music that most did not.

[@dhpbear2]

"... even the chair" always threw me for a loop!

[@jodigould1525]

Best one so far Professor. Brings back lovely memories of my Dad. Loved ND, and every Sunday would put his beloved dog Delta to laze away on the back seat of his car and put ND on for her. He was convinced she loved ND as much as he did. Such a fond memory. Thank you.

[@janiscalaba4932]

Absolutely one of my favorites! I’ve seen him many times in concert. One of the best.✌️❤️

[@johnmassingill7524]

I'm surprised that Mr. Barry who, I've always regarded primarily as a humorist, didn't appreciate, the absurdity of the chair lyric. I thought it was fantastic.

[@artisticvisions77]

My mom always played Neil's music when I was growing up. When I was a mid teen, I was starting to listen to and play on my guitar the darker, harder side of Rock N' Roll but hearing Neil's music throughout the house, it really brought me out of it and I really started to appreciate Neil's talent and the softer side of music. I've been a big fan ever since. There is really a strong spiritual side to his music that saved me from going too far down the dark rabbit hole I was headed in. She requested that I play a few songs form Jonathan Livingston Seagull at her memorial, which I did.

[@ceilconstante640]

I think the song means a lot to people because everyone experiences depression, life changes and lonilness and has had to reestablish who they are and move past whatever was holding them back. He's one of my favorite artists.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great insight! Thanks.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I know I went through a period of bad anxiety a few months back when I felt lonely all the time. It’s like Neil Diamond spoke to me.

[@sharonmattox]

I've seen Neil in concert several times, always enjoyable. His catalog of great songs will stand the test of time. Not much to say, other than i love Neil Diamond and his wonderful songs. 😍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When did you see him?

[@kathryngutierrez5967]

We were finally able to see Neil in concert during his last tour. It meant so much to me and my husband.

[@ProfessorofRock]

THat's so cool! Where'd you see him?

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Where at?

[@kathryngutierrez5967]

@@ProfessorofRock We saw him in Pheonix. It was wonderful.

[@LadyCin611]

His video made me cry. Thank you, Adam!

[@Vonlang001]

Love Neil! Love this song! So many people can relate to the message in this song including me. A struggle to find yourself. As a former actor that moved to LA, I can tell you first hand that the words in this amazing song ring true when you're in a strange city, far away from home and you want something you can't have.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I definitely have related to this song before multiple times, especially when moving to new cities.

[@donaldcoffey800]

Not many performers can be considered the best, but Neil Diamond is certainly one of them when all is said and done. Just the fact.

[@wedin1051919]

My mom had his album in the 70s. This song takes me back to coming home from school and hearing this play in the house.

[@billgiesbrecht59]

There is so much said in the first few lines about LA and NY and being lost somewhere between two shores. I have always felt this song was the capstone to his brilliance. Favorite Neil song.

[@Mashfan6507]

Great song, fantastic artist. I grew up listening to Neil Diamond and I’m so glad my mom introduced me to him. He’s so talented, and I’m so glad you’re doing videos about him. Keep up the great work, and more Neil!!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen! What would you like to see next ?

[@Mashfan6507]

@@ProfessorofRock from Neil some of my favorites are “America”, “Crunchy Granola Suite”, “Longfellow Serenade” all would be good candidates for videos! Would also like to see stories about the “Tennessee Moon” album he came out with, a hidden gem of his. Thanks for everything, love your work!

[@iexposu01]

Very touching. Well said Professor.

[@deborahwhittington8032]

“I Am, I Said” was so important to me as a teenager at her 3rd high school. (Dad was career Air Force) I felt so alone as the “new girl,” again. I would sing this at the top of my lungs, and somehow, it made me feel better.

[@marklowther3228]

He will always be the one of the best. I've seen him in concert several times and have his autograph on my office wall to this day. Rock on, Mr. Diamond. Thanks, Prof.

[@billycranston]

Shilo is my favorite Neil Diamond song. It has always resonated with me as I had a similar childhood. Even as a child, while i didn't have an imaginary friend, I still felt a familiarity with the lyrics. Whenever I really needed a friend, I always had that song.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great song!

[@lindaeasley5606]

My favorite Neil song is Stones

[@rmelin13231]

I love this comment. Shilo was indeed as relative as any other to our inward feelings and needs.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Definitely sounds like a warm friend.

[@lannyheinlen7022]

Thank you for this. I have followed Neil for decades, and this was wonderful to hear.

[@tomntammybrown3817]

I've always loved Neil diamond's music. It's so authentic and heartfelt that it's always spoken to me. His lyrics are very honest. I think my favorite song by him is love on the rocks. It spoke to a teenage me as I saw my parent's marriage go down in flames and my own first long term relationship fail at the same time. So much angst in the song actually helped me feel like I wasn't the only one going through it because if a star like him went through it I wasn't alone.

[@sallyoakes7709]

At the time that song was playing on the radio, I was in early teens. Peers bullied me, parents mad at me, teachers exasperated, couldn't seem to do anything right anywhere. The song resounded.

[@josephblue4135]

Not only a great writer but he has a distinctive voice! ❤

[@Monyornothin]

I remember buying a Neil Diamond album or best of maybe for my father. He wasn't huge on music but I knew he liked Neil. It ended up being more of an education for ME. Of course I taped a copy of ANY albums my Dad had around. Neil is one for the must have list!

[@ProfessorofRock]

I am with you. Neil rules.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’m glad you learned some songs from him!

[@nohandle1028]

Being a painfully shy introvert since childhood, I can relate to Neil Diamond. I even tried emulating my younger sister who was the complete opposite of me...an outgoing, outspoken, extrovert but that didn't work. How many of us have 'talked to walls' when trying to express ourselves to others and have gotten nowhere? It's no different than the 'chair not hearing' as expressed in I Am..I Said! I'm glad Neil's fans held that 'journalist's' feet to the fire! He obviously didn't 'get it'. Thank you, Neil!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I am an outgoing and outspoken extrovert but people shut me out because I am “too much” sometimes. So I have the opposite problem.

[@khanysafan1705]

My junior high and high school years were filled with Neil’s music. He was all over the radio. I loved them all. Sweet Caroline is one of my all time favorite songs. I love seeing it popping up all over the place now. As for I Am, I liked the song, but being young didn’t really understand it until years later, and become emotional when I hear it now. Some of the lyrics could apply to all of us, couldn’t they.

[@georgemathie8123]

Neil diamond is pure showbiz and as this legend turns 83 tomorrow he has touched generations of music fans for over 6 decades and still gaining new fans today how amazing is that?

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's why we put it out today! To celebrate the Diamond of rock! Thanks George!

[@georgemathie8123]

@@ProfessorofRock you're welcome he's one of the rare ones that we still have Alive and rocking

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Happy early birthday to him!

[@georgemathie8123]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 as I said up below it's a celebration of timeless music from one of our most beloved entertainers who at almost 83 has delivered a soundtrack for generations to come

[@marktait2371]

yes a local dj tribute hour tm. have to tune in

[@sweetcaroline2060]

What are my feelings about Neil Diamond? Love and admiration. I first heard him on the radio singing Solitary Man and saw him several times on Ed Sullivan. Singer, songwriter, poet, artist, entertainer. How few can say that! Neil Diamond and Gordon Lightfoot are my all-time favorites. Rest in Peace, Mr. Lightfoot. God bless Neil Diamond. 🙏🙏🙏 Thank you Adam Reader.❤

[@StewieBelle]

They have been my two all-time favorites as well, since the 60's. Saw both of them probably over 20 times each and they were always great. Saddens me that we will not have any more wonderful, poetic songs from the great mind of Gordon Lightfoot.

[@dgarve]

It's a fantastic soul-searching song that carries extra gravitas with Neil's deep baritone, but the "chair" line has always taken point off of the song for me. Just last week, this song came on the radio while I was driving my 16 year-old son (also a connoisseur of great music, lol) and he agreed that it was a cop-out of a rhyme, although he did pose the question of whether a chair is capable of listening... In any event, Neil, hailing from nearby Brooklyn roads, is an American institution, and I feel lucky to have seen him sing "America" live in front of a giant American flag. That's another great concert memory among thousands. Have a great day! - Dave

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great comment!

[@Redd_Fawkes]

I always thought 'the chair' was a symbol of there being a place for someone in his life, but there was noone in it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

What year did you see him sing America in front of the flag?

[@dgarve]

September 2002. It was pretty amazing. @@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980

[@Redd_Fawkes]

My favourite Neil Diamond song. It strikes a chord in anyone who has ever been depressed or felt displaced.

[@DC8091]

Neil just effin RULES!! I haven’t listened to Am I Said in a while but as this is video is over, I’m gonna blast it loud enough to make sure every chair hears! Thanks for the reminder Prof!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@greenbeagle13]

OMG - "I Am... I Said" got me through a really bad time in my life. I'm glad the fans defended Neil Diamond and that beautiful song. When I was going through my difficult time, it was me, left only with the furniture in my house. This is a GREAT channel.... Love it. ❤

[@Calvero52]

Neil Diamond brings me back to being a little kid listening to my parents 8-track player in our living room. Love his stuff! Months before his retirement, his wife would livestream his concerts on Periscope which was really cool. From backstage before the concert where Neil and the band would gather in a circle for prayer and then out onto the stage. Every song caused roars of cheers and applause. It was an interesting time span ❤️

[@ProfessorofRock]

Rock on!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Have you seen him in concert?

[@SParisi-w5u]

The guy became more and more vulnerable as his career progressed, and as he developed the courage to completely expose himself, and oh-so generously let us all in. By far most people know Neil's incredible "Red, Red, Wine" strictly as a great reggae tune. But talk about another one were the guy just laid his busted, broken, and fileted heart out there. I love playing this one on my acoustic the way the Neil originally recorded it. So heartbreaking and beautiful. Thanks again, POR, for another amazing video.

[@brentcox7772]

Saw him ‘77! What a great concert!! Such an awesome front man. “Cherry Cherry” is still my favorite!🤘🔥

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Brent! So cool. WHere'd you see him?

[@brentcox7772]

@@ProfessorofRock OKC

[@margaretkiser6305]

My mom always loved Niel Diamond's singing! She was pleased to attend one of his concerts in Dallas, and reported that he sounded even better 'live'. Way to go, Mom; and thank you, Mr. Diamond! Thank you for this video, Prof.

[@marklane3247]

The only concert my mother ever attended. She loved it and talked about it for years. She would sing his songs around the house. She passed in 2006, and I played a few ND songs at the viewing.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. RIP.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

She was a devoted fan!

[@tomtomlin3408]

This is, arguably, your best so far. Singers and groups circle around over the years but Neil is always there as a constant in my life. Thank you for the insight and comments. Blessings for your expertise and insight. Keep em coming...

[@l.t.6180]

The 'chair' lyric makes perfectly sense. Neil felt lost and alienated at the time he wrote this song and therefore went into psychoanalysis. The chair refers to a certain kind of therapy (Gestalt therapy) where the patient relays his thoughts to an empty chair while a psychoanalyst attends.

[@sonia4641]

No other musician has managed to combine such mega-performance with such intimacy. Neil has sung to tens of thousands at his concerts and to millions, if not billions, through his records over many decades. Yet he always manages to sound like he is singing only to ME! Notwithstanding his massive body of superb work, I think that that intimacy, even within a stadium concert ( I saw him in Birmingham U.K. in 2011) is Neil’s unique talent. I can’t think of anyone else who even comes close.

[@glenbateman5960]

One of the greatest songwriters and one of the greatest songs in music history. If you can't connect with a song like that, you probably haven't done much living yet. Pure genius.

[@Kurtdog63]

I remember years ago, back when people actually read newspapers, reading an article written and posted in the largest newspaper outlet in our state. It was kind of a bash article about Elvis Presley, before he died, on how much weight he had gained, and what a physical train wreck he had become, continuing to sing and perform past his era of peak fame. HOLY CRAP! The newspaper received an avalanche of "take it back" postal hate mail. I will say this though, they actually published some of the scathing hate mail which showed they could not only dish it out, but they could take it too. That ballsy journalism no longer exists.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He continued to sing right up until he died.

[@fivestring65ify]

I grew up listening to Neil. He was always one of my favorites. The song you covered in this episode struck a chord with me the first time I heard it. And the line in the song about the chair, makes the song. It's brilliant, honest, songwriting. This is what separates the great ones from the mediocre ones. As for Dave Barry, he found out just how wrong he was. Great episode.

[@tomheinle1049]

As i was listening to this cast, I was trying to come up with my favorite Neil Diamond song and found that to be an impossible task. Like a kid in a nearly infinite candy store given the opportunity to get whatever he wants, the only answer is to take one of everything. All of his songs strike deep into the heart/soul. And songs like this one remind us that even if we feel alone there are others who feel the same way, and that helps to lift us out of our melancholy.

[@ProfessorofRock]

It's really tough! He's had so many great songs!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

For me, probably this one. I Am, I Said.

[@williamflawrence]

After writing a few hits in the early 60s, Neil wanted to perform his songs ( this was way before record companies didn't frown on songwriters becoming singer/songwriters) A local promoter in my hometown of Scranton, Joe Nardone, bought Neil out to here for solo performances to gain experience, in front of live audiences. Within a year that ended because he became a huge sucess in a very short time!

[@northernguy8860]

I remember how Neil's chair reference seemed cringy at the time. And how could this pop star possibly understand loneliness? Hearing the song during a lonely period of my own life changed my mind. Neil nailed it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. Misunderstood! I say!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Right? This song is very emotional.

[@Jonathanstockwell]

This is my favorite song by Neil Diamond and I think about it all the time. My dad played Noel Diamond all the time. I never thought he was a pop music star, because they didn’t listen to rock music.

[@apitheous194]

I wore out a many cassettes of his music. What a master of words..

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Cannot get enough of his lyrics.

[@patriciablyler6484]

I remember playing the 45 of that song and Me and My Bobby McGee non-stop! I have always loved his music. Shilo is my absolute favorite song on his. His music just touches my soul!

[@rabby-u]

Now how would I know Neil Diamond's parents were ballroom dancers. Lol.

[@ilonahesseling4821]

Neil himself told it in several interviews. He was very proud of them. 🙂

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Rabby!

[@rabby-u]

@@ilonahesseling4821 Its been a while, that's my dad's music.😀

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Back in that era, I would have been a ballroom dancer too!

[@rabby-u]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I am a dancer, a romancer, I'm a capricorn and she's a cancer....a little bit of artistic license to make it fit!😛😉🙃

[@janicecorey9715]

Happy Birthday Neil! For the last 46 years, since I was 11-years-old, you have been my number one musician. I Am... I Said will always be one of my all-time favorites.

[@stephenhanft1226]

Neil Diamond has always ranked in my top 10 all-time favorite music artists. My favorite Neil Diamond song has always been "Cracklin' Rosie" while my mom's favorite was "Sweet Caroline".I grew up on Neil Diamond's music and he was also one of my mom's very favorites. Previously, I've told my story of dedicating "Sweet Caroline" to my mom on the radio (my mom's name was Carolyn and she always jokingly said that the song was about her) I have in my record collection his entire song catalog. Other Neil favorites of mine include "Forever In Blue Jeans", "Solitary Man", "America", "September Morn, "Hello Again" "Heartlight", "Play Me", I'm A Believer(which he wrote and gave to The Monkees) and so much more.While never lucky enough to go see him perform in person, I have seen many Neil Diamond concert videos. Dynamic performer. Neil has always said that "I Am I said" is one of his favorite songs he has ever written and deeply personal to him. Yes, the critics have often taken shots at Neil Diamond for being a bad lyricist because of lines such as "not even the chair" from "I Am I said" and "every garden grows one" from "Song Sung Blue". The fact was that many of his songs had lyrics of deep meaning that the critics couldn't grasp. Many of my all-time favorite artists have been targets of so-called music critics. I've never cared. Those critics have never had any influence on what music I enjoy and the artists I listen to.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Everybody knows the words to Sweet Caroline!

[@paulliddiard141]

I remember going to see Neil in concert at Boise, Idaho. It was fantastic to sit there with my wife as we recalled all these fantastic Neil Dimond songs. He would finish one, and the band would begin another and we'd look at each other and say, "I forgot he wrote this"... I AM I Said is one of my favorites. I can relate totally to a bunchof his songs....

[@cherriehearn6950]

My sister introduced me to his music. Thanks for the memories!❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for listening Cherrie!

[@cherriehearn6950]

@@ProfessorofRock it's my pleasure! I watch almost every day!

[@jimmydelisi8442]

One of my favorite songs and artists all time, great episode!

[@tpatrick44]

I was around when his songs began playing on the radio. I was immediately drawn to his music. Especially his lyrics. I certainly was influenced by him in my own poetry, and lyrics. Thanks for covering him. He is a part of Americana! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@lisao1965]

I remember hearing the line about the "chair" and at first going hmmmm... but it grew on me and became my favorite line of the song. I felt it was feeling so desperately lonely that when he mentions that not even the chair hears him you can feel how alone he is. But that he reaches into the depths of his soul to pull himself out of it in a most triumphant way!

[@catherine6653]

Neil Diamond and Barbara Streisand went to the same high school in New York. The chair lyric in I Am I Said is memorable. That's what makes songs successful. I bought a greatest hits CD with 24 songs on the album. I turned it over and read the track listing and thought, I know every song! That's because I have always been a Neil Diamond fan 😊.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Amen! Love the lyric, no matter what the critics say!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The chair is a great representation of his loneliness. I’ve been in a room with nothing but an empty chair, and I know how that feels.

[@guitardude4700]

Love, Neil Diamond song and those lyrics are awesome. All of them.

[@adamcarrey9115]

This was definitely a soul baring song, as you say. But perhaps his best introspective song is "Brooklynn Roads." That song is worth an episode as well.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Will do!

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

@@ProfessorofRockI just subscribed in anticipation of a review of Brooklyn Roads.

[@drewcama2488]

I never imagined This was going to be about Neil Diamond. A n icon of rock and roll ballads.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I was 4 years old in 1984 when I was introduced to "I Am I Said" (my parents were given a dubbing of Neil's 2 volumes of *His 12 Greatest Hits).* I always enjoyed it and related to the sense of loneliness and disconnect from his roots. In fact, I have taken the "lost between 2 shores" phrase out of context and applied it to my own lifelong struggle with being legally blind: I'm not as blind as Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano or Ronnie Milsap, but I'll never see as well as Neil (that they know). I wasn't aware of the havoc that Dave Barry caused. He essentially laid into what he didn't understand at all. He had every ounce of the backlash mentioned here coming to him. I can relate to it; nobody has understood when I share with them what I wrote above about how being visually impaired has prevented me from belonging to either the blind or the sighted world. Since my own therapist who passed away in July 2022 tried telling me I had to detach myself from that mentality, it's easy for me to say that no-one heard at all, "not even the chair."

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Eric! Great comment!

[@SD-jf7nb]

To be fair, I did not read the book (column?), Dave Barry is usually pretty funny, though simply mocking the arguably, nominally awkward metaphors, is kind of a cheap shot, and if irony was involved he should know that not every one understands it. Its ultimately a very uplifting song, Neil is a great talent and great entertainer, and his music continues to age well.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I understand your struggles. I am autistic, and there are times when I feel lonely because other people either don’t understand or choose to ignore me when I speak up.

[@roberttanenbaum3313]

Agreed, I really get into the song and listening intently and feeling it deeply, and then "no one heard ... not even the chair" ???!!! What ???!! Knocks me right out of the mood.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

I was in high school when the album Stones came out with this song as the first song on side 1 and a reprise at the end of side 2. Back in the day, we had to stack albums on the record player if we wanted a longer time of uninterrupted music. My bedtime stack was always side 1 of Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits, then side 2 of Stones. I was almost asleep when "Suzanne" played and the reprise of "I Am I Said" did the final job and I was asleep by the end of it. Listening to and concentrating on the deep lyrics quieted my brain enough to finally relax and sleep.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I would love to hear that album stack as a playlist!

[@GoodieWhiteHat]

I love I am I said. It’s so beautifully personal. I never thought of the ‘chair’ being the therapist. Makes sense. It’s Brookline Roads my dad who grew up with his brother in a dirty busy city of Manchester always said it reminded him of his own childhood and now he’s passed on it’s a special song to me. It’s a slice of history with smells, sounds and relationships starkly remembered. Only good memories make an ugly place sweet.

[@ryanjones4150]

When I was a kid, my very unhip parents played Neil Diamond all the time, and I didn't much care for it. As I have gotten older, I appreciate his music more, and I have a great deal of respect for him, for many reasons, one of which is that he wanted to be a songwriter, so he sat a piano and worked at it day after day and was able to make a career out of it. I remember when Frank Zappa passed, and he had some nice things to say about him, because they used to play in bar bands together in the early days, that really meant something to me. Also, his cameo in Saving Silverman is awesome. BTW, am I the only one who thinks that Porcupine Pie is about female genitalia ?

[@jamesdietz29]

I always thought Porcupine Pie was a light hearted parody of country music. I'm not sure he's singing about female genitals, or at least I hope he isn't... especially when he gets to the part about the horse flies hanging around.

[@ryanjones4150]

@jamesdietz29 well, all I know is, if you put some vanilla soup in a porcupine pie, nine months later....

[@thelazyguitarist1628]

Neil Diamond is the first artist my dad turned me onto back in the 70s. It was also the first time I heard music played on a reel to reel. I returned the favor in the early 80s by turning him onto Boston.