From the 1960s to the 1980s, Diamond was one of the more successful pop music performers, scoring a number of hits. As critic William Ruhlmann writes, "as of 2001, he claimed worldwide record sales of 115 million copies, and as of 2002 he was ranked third, behind only Elton John and Barbra Streisand, on the list of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart."[1] As of May 2005 he has sold 120 million records worldwide, including 48 million records in the U.S.[2]
Though his record sales declined somewhat after the 1980s, Diamond continues to tour successfully, and maintains a very loyal following. Diamond's songs have been recorded by a vast array of performers from many different musical genres.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984, and then in 2000 was given its Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the early part of 2011.
In 2008 Neil Diamond scored his first ever Billboard number one album with "Home Before Dark", the album also became his first studio album to get to number one in the UK.
Don't Think... Feel
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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Sleepy old tree gonna make me some shade.
Sleepy old time on my side of town,
I'm feelin' fine, I'll explain to you now.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
When it feels nice just don't think twice.
Some worry all night 'bout money and lust.
Worry they do and worried they die--
And after they're gone just the bankers cry.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
When it feels nice just don't think twice.
Life is a card, you take what you get.
You do what you can to feel no regret.
You do what you can, forget about words,
Just go with the feelin' it usually works.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
When it feels nice you don't think twice.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
When it feels nice you don't think twice.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
In Neil Diamond's iconic song "Don't Think... Feel," the singer-songwriter admonishes people to stop worrying about small details and just live in the moment. He argues that too often people worry about trivial issues like trust, money or lust and that this worrying consumes their existence. Instead of worrying, Diamond urges people to let go of their anxieties and just enjoy their lives. The chorus is a simple repetition of the message: "Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal. Just make it real and don't think, feel. It don't take plans to clap your hands, When it feels nice just don't think twice."
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the lyrics that follow. The sun, tree and time are all personified as sleepy, conveying a sense of laziness and relaxation. Diamond seems to be highlighting the peacefulness of the moment, suggesting that people should enjoy and embrace the serenity when it comes their way. The main message of the song is that people should allow themselves to be spontaneous and trust their instincts. Life is too short to spend it worrying about every little detail.
In conclusion, "Don't Think... Feel" is a song that encourages people to live in the moment and not get bogged down by trivial concerns. Neil Diamond's catchy lyrics remind us to take a step back and enjoy life. The song urges listeners to trust their instincts and not worry about the small details by letting go of their anxieties.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleepy old sun, sleepy old day,
The day is lazy and uneventful.
Sleepy old tree gonna make me some shade.
The singer finds comfort in nature.
Sleepy old time on my side of town,
Life is slow in his part of town.
I'm feelin' fine, I'll explain to you now.
The singer is content and will share why.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Act on impulse, without hesitation or doubt.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
Live in the present and embrace your emotions.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
Some things come naturally, without effort or planning.
When it feels nice just don't think twice.
If something feels good, enjoy it without overthinking or analyzing.
Some worry all day 'bout who they can trust,
Some people are plagued by distrust and anxiety.
Some worry all night 'bout money and lust.
Others are consumed by materialism and desire.
Worry they do and worried they die--
Their worries follow them to the grave.
And after they're gone just the bankers cry.
Money can't buy happiness and death renders it irrelevant.
Life is a card, you take what you get.
Life is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
You do what you can to feel no regret.
Make choices that minimize future regrets.
You do what you can, forget about words,
Focus on actions, not words or expectations.
Just go with the feelin' it usually works.
Trust your instincts and intuition.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Reiterating the importance of embracing emotions.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
Life is about authenticity and spontaneity.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
Simple pleasures require no elaborate plans.
When it feels nice you don't think twice.
Enjoy life's small pleasures without guilt or reservation.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Repeating the title phrase for emphasis.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
Ending with a call to action to live life with passion.
It don't take plans to clap your hands,
Repeating a line from earlier in the song.
When it feels nice you don't think twice.
Repeating a line from earlier in the song.
Don't think, feel; ain't no big deal.
Repeating a line from earlier in the song.
Just make it real and don't think, feel.
Repeating a line from earlier in the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind