The Diary
Little Anthony And The Imperials Lyrics
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The one that has the lock and key,
And know the boy that you care for,
The boy who's in your diary.
When it's late at night, what is the name you write?
Oh, what I'd give if I could see.
Am I the boy that you care for,
Do you recall and make note of all
The little things I say and do?
The name you underline, I'm hoping that it's mine.
Darling, I'm so in love with you.
Please don't leave me blue. Make all my dreams come true.
You know how much you mean to me.
Say I'm the boy that you care for,
The boy who's in your diary.
The lyrics of "The Diary" by Little Anthony and The Imperials reveals a longing for the contents of the diary of the girl he is in love with. He desires to know the name of the boy who has her heart and hopes it's him. The singer wants to know if he makes it in her diary, if he's the name she underlines when she is alone at night. He is curious if she notes every little thing he says or does.
The theme of the song is about wanting to be loved and acknowledged. The singer feels insecure about whether he's the one for the girl he loves. He yearns for her to make his dreams come true and choose him as the boy she cares for. The song is both melancholic and hopeful, with a tinge of desperation in the singer's plea to be loved.
Line by Line Meaning
How I'd like to look into that little book,
I desire to peek into that small diary of yours.
The one that has the lock and key,
I am referring to that specific diary with a lock and key design.
And know the boy that you care for,
I am curious to know about the boy you like.
The boy who's in your diary.
I am particularly interested in the boy you have written about in your diary.
When it's late at night, what is the name you write?
I wonder who you write about in your diary during the late hours of the night.
Oh, what I'd give if I could see.
I would be willing to offer anything to witness what you write in your diary.
Am I the boy that you care for,
I am questioning if I am the boy you like.
The boy who's in your diary?
I am specifically referring to the boy you have written about in your diary.
Do you recall and make note of all
Do you remember and jot down every detail of
The little things I say and do?
The small actions and words that I express?
The name you underline, I'm hoping that it's mine.
I hope the name you have underlined in your diary is mine.
Darling, I'm so in love with you.
My dear, I am deeply in love with you.
Please don't leave me blue. Make all my dreams come true.
Please do not make me sad. Fulfill my every wish and desire.
You know how much you mean to me.
You are aware of how significant you are to me.
Say I'm the boy that you care for,
Please affirm that I am the boy you like.
The boy who's in your diary.
I am still referring to the boy you have written about in your diary.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOWARD GREENFIELD, NEIL SEDAKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@elsacamacho2597
Love this song I had the pleasure of meeting little Anthony I love all his music he's a legend God bless his vocals
@chefbrad73
I love the story behind this song. Neil wrote this for the imperials. The head of end records new it was a hit and put his second to record and produce it knowing he couldn't mess it up since he was going on a vacation with his wife. Well he did. And neil knowing he had a hit record with it records it himself and thus is history
@uso_1877
Timeless classic !
@ermakillings2887
Perfectly done.
@obscureshowtunes
I like THIS version.
@louisrodriguez2023
Nothing but the best
@JukeboxBalowski
As much as I love Little Anthony and the Imperials and their vocals and music... this recording always sounded to me like just an "OK demo". When the record label decided they wanted to release it as a 45, they should have re-recorded a more polished version. The Neil Sedaka version was definitely a better record! This version is still fun to here from time to time though.
@rockycomet4587
I disagree, lol.
@ChicagoAstronomer
I agree.
Sedaka's has more pep and better arranged.
@catman916
I think that Neil's version was definitely better.