I am I said oDDBall

I sing this unaccompanied
Neil Diamond's song "I Am... I Said" was released in 1971 and is often considered one of his most personal and introspective songs. The background to the song stems from a difficult period in Diamond's life when he was grappling with feelings of identity and belonging. He had recently moved to Los Angeles from his native New York, and the transition caused him to feel displaced and disconnected.

In interviews, Diamond has mentioned that the song came from a deep sense of personal turmoil. He was undergoing therapy at the time and feeling a strong existential crisis. The song reflects his struggle to reconcile his public persona with his inner self, and the lyrics depict loneliness and a search for meaning. The line "I am, I said / To no one there / And no one heard at all" expresses a feeling of isolation and frustration, as if his identity and voice were going unheard or unacknowledged.

The song was partly inspired by Diamond's unsuccessful attempt to audition for the role of Lenny Bruce in a movie, which brought him to a point of self-reflection. The themes of the song resonate with the universal human experience of seeking one's place in the world and grappling with questions of identity.

Despite its personal nature, "I Am... I Said" became one of Diamond's most successful hits, reaching the top of the charts and cementing its place as a classic. It captures the raw emotion and depth of Diamond’s songwriting during that period.