Neil Diamond, so many great songs. Of course, being a Red Sox fan, his Sweet Caroline means a lot to me but when that song was just a song I liked, there were others of his that meant so much more. 

  When I was a young girl I had many make believe friends that I would “talk” to and since I interpret his song Shilo to be about that, it was easy for me to relate to. “When no one else would come, Shilo you always came, and you’d stay.” 

  Later when I was an insecure emotional teenage girl he had two songs that were, without needing interpretation, even easier to relate to. I Am I Said for the insecure teen part. “I am I said to no one there and no one heard at all not even the chair.” I know that seems sad but the validation of my feelings helped so much! Then there was Song Sung Blue for the emotional girl part. “Me and you are subject to the blues now and then but when you take the blues and make a song you sing ‘em out again.” So true especially with that song! I loved hearing and singing those songs then and still do now. 

  As a grew into early adulthood he had two other songs that were easy to relate to for me. I consider his song Forever in Blue Jeans  one of my life theme songs (more on those in a different post). “Money talks but it don’t sing and dance and it don’t walk... I’d much rather be forever in blue jeans!” 

The other is because my parents instilled a wonderful sense of patriotism in me so his song America brings that out, especially after I saw him in concert from the 3rd row and when he sang it a huge American flag was unfurled as the backdrop behind him! “...We make our bed and we say our grace, freedoms light burning warm!” 

  So, like the blue jeans he sings about and I will forever be in, his music will forever be in my heart! Thank you, Neil Diamond! Happy 80th Birthday! 🙂❤️🎶