In 1971, Neil Diamond’s “I Am… I Said” became a worldwide hit, topping charts in New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It reached #2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and #4 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Cash Box Top 100.
The song, filled with sadness and loneliness, reflected Diamond’s struggles after his divorce and move from New York to LA. He felt depressed, especially after not getting the role of Lenny Bruce in the movie “Lenny.” This led him to take a four-year break from performing after his famous 1972 concert at the Greek Theater in LA.
Many people see “I Am… I Said” as a simple song, but it holds a deeper meaning. Diamond spent months in therapy, and the song reflects his thoughts and feelings during that time. The mention of a “chair” in the lyrics likely comes from Gestalt therapy, where patients project their feelings onto an empty chair. Diamond carefully crafted his lyrics through many rewrites until they conveyed exactly what he wanted.
The audience’s reaction to the song was one of awe. They could feel the emotion and loneliness Diamond expressed. The line “I am I said to no one there, and no one heard at all, not even the chair” especially resonated, highlighting his despair.
In 1971, the world was rapidly changing. Gas cost 40 cents a gallon, milk was $1.18 a gallon, Richard Nixon was president, and the Vietnam War was ongoing. Amidst this turmoil, Neil Diamond’s “I Am… I Said” offered a sense of connection and comfort to many.
If you haven’t seen the 1971 performance of “I Am… I Said,” we highly recommend it. It’s a powerful song performed with great emotion by one of the best songwriters of our time. Share it with your friends and loved ones—it’s a song everyone should hear.