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In 1971, Neil Diamond stepped onto the stage of the famous German TV show ZDF Disco. Dressed in his classic 70s style, he looked every bit the rising icon, but the song he was about to sing, “I Am… I Said,” was born from a place of deep struggle.
This song performance is considered one of the most iconic because it captures Neil’s raw emotion as he tries to find himself during his early career!
Neil spent four long months writing this song while feeling lost between his old struggling life in New York and his new famous one in Los Angeles. He was even in therapy at the time, trying to handle the “existential angst” of fame.
Neil Diamond – I Am I Said
| FunFact: The song actually started because of a failed movie audition! Neil tried out for a film about the comedian Lenny Bruce. He didn’t get the part, but the intense emotions from the audition triggered the lyrics for this masterpiece. |
But as deep as this song is, how did it all actually begin for Neil? What struggle is he constantly referring to?!
In the second half of this legendary 1971 session, Neil sits down to talk about the moment his life changed forever. He tells the story of “Solitary Man,” his first big hit from 1966, and then sings it!
Neil Diamond Talks About His Classic First Hit “Solitary Man” Then Plays It
He says, imagine being a struggling songwriter, and suddenly, while driving down the street, you hear your own voice blasting from the radio for the very first time. That’s exactly what happened to him! He describes it as a magical, life-altering moment that broke the dam for his career.
Interestingly, he wrote Solitary Man in a “minor key,” something he’d never done before. He said he was inspired by the Beatles’ song “Michelle”. He later realized, after years of reflection, that the song wasn’t just a catchy tune; it was actually a reflection of his own soul!
Whether you are 70 years old or just discovering him now, these performances prove that Diamond wasn’t just a singer; he was a storyteller! And even today, millions of people relate to those stories!
