💎NEIL DIAMOND ~ I AM... I SAID/WALK OFF [HAN] Live Audio

"I’ve always regretted not filming the Hot August Night concert in ‘72, an album so pivotal in my
career." - ND (2018)

NEIL DIAMOND'S SIGNATURE SONG

Did you ever read about a frog
Who dreamed of bein' a king
And then became one
Well except for the names
And a few other changes
If you talk about me
The story's the same one

"'I Am... I Said', took four months to complete. I knew it had great potential and I was unwilling to accept anything but the raw truth in the lyric. It was a daily battle to put this song and those sentiments on paper, but when it was done, it turned out the be one of the most satisfying songs I had ever written. It was nominated for a Grammy and still gives me chills when I perform it." - ND

THE CHAIR: The chair is a reference to the psychiatrist's chair. Diamond battled with this song for 4 months following a near-breakdown after divorce and a move from New York to Los Angeles.

His failure to land the part of Lenny Bruce in the movie ‘Lenny’, left him close to breaking point and Diamond was depressed. Diamond eventually took a 4-year sabbatical from performing after his landmark appearance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in 1972.

'I Am... I Said' has a far deeper meaning than most casual listeners imagine. The song is a masterpiece by a great songwriter. By his own admission, Diamond spent months in psychotherapy and this song explains wonderfully his thoughts and feelings at the time. In Gestalt therapy, a patient projects his thoughts into an empty chair while a counsellor looks on making notes. This may well explain the meaning of the word chair. It is too easy to dismiss the 'chair' as a trite attempt to make a rhyme, but Diamond is nothing but meticulous in his lyric writing and he has said that 'I Am... I Said' underwent countless rewrites until it said exactly what he wanted it to say. Diamond no doubt felt so alone and alienated that he must have felt that no-one was listening to his tortured cries... not even the (psychoanalyst's) chair.

"Electric ... his audience falls like plums at his feet." - Tone - Daily Variety.

"The lean, sensual performer was A TRIUMPH." - Michael Carmack - Los Angeles Herald-Examiner.

" ... he moved the audience through many moods from joy to sorrow." - Sue Cameron - The Hollywood Reporter.

"More of a triumph, in every measurable way, than his stunning show last summer at the Greek .... Most of all, Diamond gave of himself." - Robert Hilburn - Los Angeles Times.

"I enjoyed the outstanding theatrical experience of my life, due to the unsurpassed and almost hypnotic talents of Neil Diamond." - James A Doolittle - General Director, Greek Theatre Association.

Hot August Night 1972 -

I AM... I SAID (Stones - 1971 - Age: 30)
NEIL DIAMOND
This Live Version: Hot August Night (1972)

L.A.'s fine, the sun shines most the time
And the feeling is "lay back"
Palm trees grow and rents are low
But you know I keep thinkin' about
Making my way back

Well I'm New York City born and raised
But nowadays,
I'm lost between two shores
L.A.'s fine, but it ain't home
New York's home,
But it ain't mine no more

I am... I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am... I cried, I am... said I
And I am lost and I can't
Even say why
Leavin' me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog
Who dreamed of bein' a king
And then became one
Well except for the names
And a few other changes
If you talk about me
The story's the same one

But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried
But it won't let me go
And I'm not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared
For the sound of being alone

I am... I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am... I cried
I am... said I
And I am lost and I can't
Even say why
Leavin' me lonely still
No, no, no, no, no...

[survivrs]

You just took me back to my teen years when I first bought this album and listened to it over and over. I absolutely melt when his voice cracked (wait for it) 'well except for the names and a few other "CHANGES", (3:11) if you talk about It makes me feel like he is so vulnerable at that moment. On Love at the Greek, he cracks once on "I've been this way before", and that does the same thing to me. Neil Diamond will always be seen as a true artist. For the songs he writes, for the songs he sings, for the way he makes us FEEL with his songs.

[TheJbks]

The whole concert was a Master piece. Bands and artists of today don't know how to put together a concert of this magnitude today with an orchestra prelude, 1st half, intermission, second half, finale. You don't see or hear shows like this anymore

[wellingtonsboots]

Listening to this all these years later. I'm 67 years old now, but i remember sitting on the front porch with the family one hot night and listening to this album. I was a teenager then. Loved it then and still love it now.

[lilliemae]

Still the best album EVER made, and I really mean that. I am now 80 years old and nothing has even come close.  Maxine Guertler

[jorgechavira]

This is one of the ten best live albums I have ever listened to...and ND one of the best singer/songwriter, great performer...just admirable.

[wendysogoloff]

You are the best Neil diamond because you write from the heart.that's why I love your music and you

[dwessels]

I WAS BORN AT THE VERY BEST TIME IN MUSIC HISTORY THE 60'S - 70'S - 80'S THERE WILL NEVER BE AS GREAT AS MUSIC AS THOSE 3 DECADES. EVER AGAIN. THANK YOU LORD FOR LETTING ME LIVE IN THOSE YEARS. THE MUSIC TODAY IS GARBAGE.

[sureshthurai]

I am...I said...
I wish
Your song is a gift to humanity
I doubt there ever will be this kind of music
Thank you

[gordonsaye]

Back in 1971 I had a choice to make, I was 15 years old and could only afford to take my girlfriend to one concert. Elvis was coming to town and so was Neil. I choose Neil and was blown away then as I am now. When my soul needs soothing I turn to Neil to help pull me through. I got a chance to see Neil again in 1977 with my new girlfriend and future wife. We are still together today and Neil is part of the soundtrack of our lives. Thank You.

[Stratfan]

This is my favorite Neil Diamond song, by far. It continues to speak to me after all these years. Raised in Iowa, resident of Missouri for most of my adult life and now living in Texas, I can identify with this song.

[carlosmena]

Unbelievable how many times I played this vinyl LPs

[victoriachinavare]

I think I have this concert in his box set of stages. I know this song means so much to Neil 💎. He sings it with his heart. I love Neil 💎. I think he is the best entertainer of all time. 🌹🙏♥️

[victoriachinavare]

I love you Neil diamond 💎 for making my life so much happier.i have depression and I put your music on and it cheers me up. God bless you Neil.🌷

[johnanders]

Iam who I am if Neil Diamond cant touch your soul.Something is wrong. One of the greatest to ever do it. The Great one Neil Diamond. The epitomy of blu eyed soul!

[mr.roaddogwade]

My God man! This man is an incredible Talent. An American Treasure. 50 years you’ve brought me joy with your amazing music. Thank you Neil. ❤️🤠🤠

[duffman]

This album always reminds me of being a kid in the late 70’s and into the early 80’s when mum and dad would have parties in summer. Dad would always put this album on. I knew it was going to be a great Sunday afternoon with friends and family and neighbours. Swimming in the pool, eating snacks, the bbq, people laughing and us kids in and out of the backyard and all over the street until well into the evening. Going home one by one as everyone left. Great times.

It was the original vinyl album and while dad is long gone now, I still have it and it’s one of my most treasured possessions ❤️

[victoriachinavare]

Omg this man is gorgeous. You can feel his pain. He sings with his heart. Love you Neil. God bless you. 🌹

[ralfwilkowski]

I think "Hot August Night" is one of the best concerts EVER recorded... PERIOD!

[juliegonzaga]

I'm so glued to this guy..can't get enough esp on this song I am isaid..thank you for sharing your talent.

[terencem]

Seriously. It doesn't get any better than this. ❤