This weekend I am compelled to some kind of musical acknowledgment for the strife of an old friend from NYU/NYC.
Having cut off her nose to spite her face, my friend is currently stuck in Phoenix with a great job, but no real friends or lovers, and no one of like mind (or even right mind), to surround her when she needs companionship. In her words, “I am going crazy here” and “this life sucks”.
With the full understanding that there are two kinds of people in the world: those who like Neil Diamond and those who don’t, and not really caring which one of those categories you fit into, I want to honor her situation with a song that’s been called an epic of existential despair (prehistoric EMO). A song written by (plausibly), and despite the Liberace-esque attire, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, or at least the most enduring. I give you the oft parodied I Am I Said.
T my friend, this too will pass, as All things must, (George Harrison).
peace
I’m sure your friend will appreciate it, if not the song the writing of the post.
Neil Diamond is an iconic songwriter and performer, maybe not to everyone’s tate but it works for him.
Feel bad about Phoenix. ;)
When no lover’s to be found times are tough.
If he is good enough for Johnny Cash, he is good enough for me.
Johnny Cash did serious justice to Diamond’s Solitary Man. too.
You’re right of course, as with anything it’s about the framing of the person, the time the essay the concept.
Arizona Homesick Blues? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Ppc3jz3GE
Bummer for your friend. When (s)he travels, (s)he should say s(he) lives in New Mexico, probably.
.-= Doug´s last blog ..Recreation =-.
I have to admit, unless were going to split a fifth of gin, I am going to have to stick with Neil Diamond.
Bombay Sapphire, right?
.-= Doug´s last blog ..Recreation =-.
If cooper goes to AZ, she’ll have to split some tequila. With the worm.
.-= sauerkraut´s last blog ..When the media gets it wrong =-.
Perfect song as loathe as I am to admit it. It’s sad when the Westboro Baptist Church is coming here to picket local churches–and I get to feel superior to Phoenix. A New Yorker’s never really satisfied I think–it’s part of the neurotic beauty of being a NY’er
You’re right.
I was only a first cousin new yorker, allowed to partake for 4 years, and I think that I gained a bit of neurosis, a tiny sliver but a sliver that will never dissipate. More like a branding, a tatoo….
westboro and freddie phelps are not names a person wants to see on a fine monday morning. …
.-= sauerkraut´s last blog ..When the media gets it wrong =-.
you is good people, cooper.
.-= risha´s last blog ..Winners! Winners! “strut your stuff” competition results! =-.
I grew up surrounded by them.
I don’t envy anyone Arizona right, now though I’ve worked there and my wife has worked there now and again – there is a spa outside of Phoenix that she loves. She is no longer going to be giving Arizona her business – she says. Not many New Yorkers taking retirement there ther days.
Neil Diamond had one of the most expensive divorces of all time -after he divorced his second wife back in 1995. 150 million bucks- that him and his ex negotiated over the phone, no lawyers.I think it was half of everything he had, and he is still rolling in it.
You are full of minutia joe.
When my friend Caroline left for Chicago (or was it Ohio?), we had a party for her, got a band, and I sang “Sweet Caroline.” Neil Diamond and I have been close ever since. He just doesn’t know it yet.
.-= People in the Sun´s last blog ..Two Days in Dover, Delaware =-.
Don’t take this wrong, but I can see you singing about any Neil Diamond song PITS. ;)
Bill Murray said that in a movie didn’t he? you either love or hate Neil Diamond?
I had a girlfriend in college who loved neil diamond, and sang “Play Me” while playing her guitar just about 24 7….
If I NEVER HEAR “You are the sun I am the moon you are the words I am the tune, play me.” again it will be too soon.
I forgive him because of “Holly Holy” from “Saving Silverman”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbu1EU9f-d4
.-= casey´s last blog ..First Round Lacrosse Tourney NCAA =-.
Yes, in Dear Bob I think.
I love that scene…mostly because I love Jack Black.
I don’t like neil diamond because of his show clothing.
Shallow of me I know.
His songs – endlessly recorded and performed by others will keep his bank account, and the banks accounts of his children, forever full.
.-= kait´s last blog ..DAMIR DOMA =-.
You and your clothing obsession.
BTW I love the damir doma stuff.
I think of saving silverman every time I hear neil diamond too.
It is his performances over the years that gets him flack not his music, other artists have been covering him for years and isn’t that the greatest from of flattery?
.-= ben´s last blog ..Found In NYC Design Week Guide =-.
obvious;y he is talented it’s all about perception…..old ladies like him but there is no doubt he is better than that
existential despair… has such an artsy bend to it.
life in pennsyltucky is bad enough; cannot imagine what AZ would be like… pink pantied sheriff and all.
.-= sauerkraut´s last blog ..When the media gets it wrong =-.
The desert is nice.
Being away from friends can suck, I don’t know if Phoenix is Neil Diamond territory but I often feel out of place with my own area. Except for my small core group. Without them I’d be lost, thank god for my blog ;).
.-= Bathwater´s last blog ..The Monkey’s Paw =-.
It’s an ideological antithesis is the problem.
Yes, it sucks having no like minds. Sadly I think back to my brief moments with what I thought were like minds, that I often grew sick of.
I have never met a true like mind, and if I did, I doubt it would be a like mind, for very long.
The only thing I’m hoping for is someone that doesn’t have an irritating laugh, or someone who points out the obvious, over & over.
Plus, someone that doesn’t have an annoying smell.
.-= Bennet´s last blog ..The Future Looks Bright, But Not Now =-.
Good teeth too. ;)