Released in 1971 as a single from the Stones album, “I Am… I Said” is one of Neil Diamond‘s most personal songs. The lyrics talk about feeling stuck between two places and not really belonging anywhere. The song’s meaning touches on identity, loneliness, and what it feels like to be unheard, even when you’re trying to speak your truth.
This article breaks down the lyrics of “I Am… I Said” section by section. We’ll look at what the words could mean, how they might connect to Neil Diamond’s own life, and what they might say about the human need for connection.
“I Am… I Said” Lyrics Meaning: Line by Line
Verse 1: Torn Between Two Lives
L.A.’s fine, the sun shines most the time
And the feeling is “lay back”
Los Angeles is sunny and easygoing. It sounds like a place that should make someone happy, but that tone feels forced.
“The feeling is ‘lay back’” sounds more like an observation than something he actually enjoys.
It’s like he’s noticing it without being part of it.
Palm trees grow and rents are low
But you know I keep thinkin’ about
Making my way back
Even with the perks of this new life, there’s still a pull to leave. He’s not grounded.
He’s thinking about returning to something familiar, probably New York. That city might not be perfect, but it holds meaning for him.
L.A. feels temporary.
Pre-Chorus 1: No Place Feels Like Home
Well I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I’m lost between two shores
He grew up in New York. That part of his life shaped him.
But now, he doesn’t feel at home there or in L.A. He’s caught in the middle.
This isn’t just about location. It’s about identity. Who he was doesn’t line up with who he’s becoming.
L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more
These lines are blunt.
L.A. is pleasant but empty. New York used to mean everything, but now it feels distant. Neither place brings comfort.
He’s been changed by time, distance, and success. That disconnection hurts.
Chorus: Trying to Be Heard
“I am”… I said
To no one there
He’s declaring his existence out loud.
He’s trying to affirm that he matters. But there’s no one listening.
The silence around him is louder than any crowd.
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
This is one of the most striking lines in the song.
“Not even the chair” might sound surreal, but it could suggest a therapist’s chair or a stage chair. Either way, it’s something meant to offer support or be part of a connection.
Its silence makes the loneliness feel complete. It’s not just people tuning him out. It’s everything around him.
“I am”… I cried
“I am”… said I
And I am lost and I can’t
Even say why
He repeats the phrase “I am” over and over. That repetition feels desperate.
He doesn’t just feel lost. He’s confused about why he’s lost.
There’s no clear reason, no big event. Just a deep, quiet ache that follows him everywhere.
Post-Chorus: Still Alone
Leavin’ me lonely still
This line is simple but brutal. After everything he said, he’s still alone.
Nothing changed. The loneliness never left.
Verse 2: A Fairytale That Didn’t Fix Anything
Did you ever read about a frog
Who dreamed of bein’ a king
And then became one
He brings up a well-known story. The underdog rises to the top. In this case, it’s a frog turning into a king.
It mirrors his own rise to fame.
Well except for the names
And a few other changes
If you talk about me
The story’s the same one
He’s not being vague here. He’s saying, “That’s me.”
He chased a dream, reached the top, and still didn’t find peace.
The fairytale ending didn’t deliver what it promised.
Pre-Chorus 2: Emptiness That Won’t Let Go
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I’ve tried, but it won’t let me go
The fame, money, and success haven’t helped him. None of it fills the hole inside.
That emptiness is stubborn. No matter what he tries, it stays.
And I’m not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared
For the sound of being alone
This isn’t about profanity. It’s about how much he hates the feeling of being alone.
“The sound of being alone” turns isolation into something physical.
It suggests a silence that’s almost alive, and it’s unbearable.
“I Am… I Said” Song Meaning: Caught Between Identity and Emptiness
“I Am… I Said” describes someone who feels stuck between two worlds. It’s about more than just moving from one city to another. It’s about how success can still leave you feeling empty if you’ve lost your sense of self along the way.
Even when surrounded by sunshine and comfort, there’s still a loud silence. He’s shouting into it, hoping someone, anyone, will hear him. But no one does. That’s the tragedy in this song: it’s not just about being alone, but about realizing that even the dream you chased might not save you from it.
Songs Like “I Am… I Said”
If you’re drawn to songs that express this kind of deep personal conflict and loneliness, here are a few that might hit you the same way:
1. “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles
“Nowhere Man” tells the story of someone who feels disconnected from the world and unsure of their place in it. It’s about quiet detachment and a longing to find meaning.
Related: “Nowhere Man” Song Meaning
2. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel
“The Sound of Silence” explores the deep loneliness and frustration that can come with feeling unheard. It taps into the same kind of existential isolation as “I Am… I Said.”
Related: What is “The Sound of Silence” About?
3. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by Hank Williams
“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is raw and honest about the ache of solitude. It’s stripped down, both musically and emotionally, much like Neil Diamond’s song.
4. “That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” by Carly Simon
“That’s The Way I’ve Always Heard It Should Be” touches on the conflict between societal expectations and personal emptiness. It shares the theme of wanting something more but not knowing what.
5. “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne
“Running on Empty” is about the weariness of always chasing something that never satisfies. Like “I Am… I Said,” it digs into the feeling of being emotionally spent and unsure of what comes next.
Conclusion: Speaking Out, But Still Unheard
“I Am… I Said” is a raw and honest cry from someone who feels stuck, unheard, and alone. The cities are just backdrops for a deeper kind of disconnection: a struggle with identity and emotional pain.
Neil Diamond wasn’t afraid to say what many people feel but don’t talk about: that even when life looks good on paper, something deep inside can still be missing.
You can listen to ‘I Am… I Said’ on Spotify and Amazon.
Be sure to check out more of our 1970s Song Interpretations.