Third
part of an interview that Gloria Hunniford
did in New York for her Channel 5 Show |
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Gloria started this part of the interview by discussing
the song "I Haven't Played This Song In Years." She said she believed it had
been tough to write. Neil agreed and said it was because it told of the loss of a
relationship which could not be regained.
She asked if it was about the pain of a career costing two marriages and
Neil answered "Yes. Exactly." |
The song I
Haven't Played This Song In Years
was played as these photos were on screen - |
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'I Haven't Played This Song In Years'
Words and Music by Neil Diamond
Just beyond my windowpane, I saw you
Walking in the rain away from me
Visions of your future lay before you
You are free
I saw you in the company of strangers
Laughing just a little bit too loud
Looking at reflections in a mirror
I can see the smiling faces
But not me among the crowd
Wondering how
I wish that I could play this like a love song
So I could shape it like I wanted to
I'd make it purely from the heart
I know that surely from the heart
There only comes the gentlest of tunes
But where are you?
We tried to set the world on fire
And almost did with our desire
Two of us and maybe more
Kids inside a candy store
Sparks of joy and celebration
Suddenly were drowned beneath the tears
And baby, you're the reason that
I haven't played this song in years
Yes baby, you're the reason that
I haven't played this song in years
Some believe in magic potions
Heads all full of crazy notions
Castles built upon a sandy shore
Only magic I believe in
Is the magic I receive from
Loving you and needing nothing more
Nothing more
We never heard each other's cries
That's how lovers turn to lies
When I gave, you wanted more
Then suddenly we're keeping score
I forgave your small deceptions
Till I couldn't hide my deepest fears
And baby, you're the reason that
I haven't played this song in years
Yes baby, you're the reason that
I haven't played this song in years
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Neil said he felt it was important to relive and explore
that age so he could understand it. He tried to do that in the hope of leaving it behind
him. He said that somehow expressing these feelings helped relieve the inner angst. This
was especially so for a man - "You're not really allowed to cry."
A clip from the Marry Me Wedding video was shown. |
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He said that he could say things through his
music that he would never dream of expressing in any other way. There were many
things in this album that he could never discuss on a person to person basis with anybody
but he could put in musical form. |
Film of Neil
singing "You Are The Best Part Of Me"
from Live By Request was then shown. |
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Discussion then moved on to his older hits.
 Neil
told his story of Cracklin Rosie.
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The Cracklin Rosie story led on to Red Red
Wine. Neil spoke about UB40 turning it into an enormous hit. A short clip from their
video was shown.
Next hit to be discussed was I Am I Said. Gloria said she believed
that had been a difficult one to write. Neil agreed and explained how he had spent a long
time writing it. He had tried hard to understand himself and had written many pages by
longhand before attempting the song.
Film was then used from the Greatest Hits Video of both I Am I Said and
Sweet Caroline.
  
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| Conversation then moved to The Jazz Singer. Neil said it had
been a fantastic experience working on the film. It had been difficult as he had no
training or experience of acting. Olivier had been very helpful to him during the filming.
He went on to say that you had to be willing to work and throw yourself into it
fully but the only thing he was willing to do that with was his music.  
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Gloria asked if Neil still went out for trips on the Harley. He answered
that he hadn't done that recently but would be doing it again after the tour. His
favourite thing about going off on the bike was the anonymity of it all. Neil said how
grateful to his children he was. They had forced him to live a real life - going to the
movies, taking them to Macdonald's, watching his son play football and cheering him on
were all simple things but he remembered them and appreciated them. |
| He agreed he was a happy man. He didn't think he'd get this
far or live this long. He was happy to have such a wonderful audience. Professionally he
considered himself successful. Non-professionally his kids are with him 100%. He adored
them, they were so close to him. It made him feel good that they had forgiven him for all
of the years of travelling and not being able to be with them when he wanted to be. |
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And on that note- the interview ended. |
The show finished
with footage again from the Greatest Hits video.
The final song was America. |
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If you would like to download a
sound file of this interview you should visit Steve's great new Neil site -
Focus on Neil Diamond |
