Neil Diamond: I Am...I Said Meaning

I Am...I Said Lyrics

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...

1. 1TOP RATED

   #1 top rated interpretation:
   Unshackledtruth

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Mar 1st 2012 !⃝

   This song is about a man who feels that even though he became what he dreamed in this life
   he feels empty inside, and needs peace of mind and is crying out to anyone who will hear his voice, I am I said, I am someone! I exist, but no one heard nor understood and if a chair could hear it, it would not hear his cry for help, and he tries and runs away from the empty feelings but they keep coming back to haunt him and it makes him feel lost and he doesn't understand why he feels this way.
   
   I think it's OK to feel like this it doesn't mean you are crazy it only means that we as humans question our existence sometimes and look for answers but sometimes non are given and it makes us feel lost. everyone will interpret this song different but this is what this song means to me.

2. 2TOP RATED

   #2 top rated interpretation:
   anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   May 31st 2014 !⃝

   As a person of Jewish decent, Neal D would clearly know that "I am" is one of the most revered names for God to the Jewish people. Listen to the use of those two words throughout the song. He is saying that he feels so lost that when he cries out to God, he feels no one is there. He does not like to "swear" (which is what observant Jews would consider using this name "I Am" in vain). I've not hear anyone else explain this song as I am doing, but it makes perfect sense if you consider his religious awareness and how his career caused some distance between him and strict "observant" people of the Jewish faith.
3. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Sep 21st 2023 !⃝

   Someone who is lost in himself unable to say why that is .His life is lonely. No answers for why that is .He is searching for who he is and doesn't feel anyone is listening to the fact he is so lonely. Could be trying to find a faith in God as nothing is bringing him happiness
4. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jul 6th 2020 !⃝

   Yes, He is referring to God when he calls out "I AM". In the Bible God is called The Great I Am. Also, when he says,"not even the chair" heard him that is a symbol for his therapist. When you hear the song it is so powerful when you know that is what he means.
5. truethinker

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jan 22nd 2018 !⃝

   I read the responses-they make no sense!
   Perhaps someday when I feel like tackling
   the popcorn jigsaw puzzle I'll give this more thought.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
6. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Aug 14th 2017 !⃝

   I am is the Jewish name for God. Substitute God for the words "I am, throughout the song and that is what this song is about. He says he's not a man who likes to swear... But using God's name in vain, "I am", is like swearing. God said to Moses that he was "The Great I Am". That is why the Jewish high priest tore his robe when Jesus answered a question put to him with, "I am". Total blasphemy he thought.
7. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Aug 9th 2017 !⃝

   We are One in Christ---the same as Him on the earth today. We are the I Am in Him, One---not divided from Him. But, One, as He and the Father are One!
8. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jun 22nd 2017 !⃝

   Famous people are no different than anyone else. We all have a life and dreams. Not everyone's life and dreams unfold the way we all want and some peoples lives do. And just because they do they still feel lost and lonely at times. Traveling from place to place, day after day year after year. Missing home and family is a Hugh price to pay. His song I am I said, he opened up to his fans like he never did before in a song. Describing his life and feelings at that time in his life. Feeling sad and down. Missing home and family. Crying for help thru a song. One of his many famous songs. Thank you Neil Diamond for each and every person walking this earth feel this way at times. We all get lost and then something wonderful happens, we find ourself again and life is good.
9. anonymous

   • 1
   • 2
   • 3
   • 4
   • 5

   click a star to vote

   Jun 22nd 2017 !⃝

   Famous people are no different than anyone else. We all have a life and dreams. Not everyone's life and dreams unfold the way we all want and some peoples lives do. And just because they do they still feel lost and lonely at times. Traveling from place to place, day after day year after year. Missing home and family is a Hugh price to pay. His song I am I said, he opened up to his fans like he never did before in a song. Describing his life and feelings at that time in his life. Feeling sad and down. Missing home and family. Crying for help thru a song. One of his many famous songs. Thank you Neil Diamond for each and every person walking this earth feel this way at times. We all get lost and then something wonderful happens, we find ourself again and life is good.
10. kooljohn176

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • 4
    • 5

    click a star to vote

    Jan 24th 2016 !⃝

    Whenever this song was heard and sung by the great NEIL DIAMOND over the airwaves on the radio,it always touched my heart and soul to be awaken and cry out to my {our}''KING''[god] in that''I'am...I'said''. Anotherwords the meaning to me says look I'am here and I'am alive I'said with all of my pain and uncertainties who feels lost in his sins,pride and ego who is looking to be redeemed and feel one with God to be acknowleged by Him who is actually within his heart and soul to give his blessings. But maybe he doesn't feel worthy to receive them in the Holy Spirit out of shame and guilt that makes him feel torn and stretched out with both arms open feeling lost between LA and NY to make his way back home.

Latest Articles

• 
  Anime to watch for the soundtracks… and other reasons you’re undateable
• 
  Dolly, we need you
• 
  The Stranger Things Effect: How new media is drawing Gen Z and Alpha's attention to aging media
• 
  The most underrated soundtrack of the early 2000s
• 
  Buy the Soundtrack, Skip the Movie: Brainscan (1994)
• 
  Let’s Go to the Hop - Ignore That Door’s Four Bunnies and a Beatbox