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.
Forgotten
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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Yeah, yeah, yeah where did it get me?
And I tried to do everything I knew
Don't seem fair 'cause look where you left me
You've got me waiting out in the back
Under a stack
Stuck in a bin
High on a shelf all by myself
Feeling like I'm doing my time
Under a sign
That reads forgotten
Forgotten
Now I'm sending out an S.O.S
Before I drown somebody save me
And I tried you know that I did my best
You took me down to where I been lately
You've got me waiting out in the back
Under a stack
Stuck in a bin
You been keeping me in
High on a shelf all by myself
Feeling like I'm doing my time
Under that sign
That reads forgotten
Forgotten
Been thinking bout you everyday
Baby not just now and then
There's got to be a better way
Don't wanna be f, o, r, go, t, t, e, n no
I'm feeling like I've been used
You were gone before we got started
And I know it ain't gonna make the news
You led me on then you departed
You've left me waiting out in the back
Under a stack
Stuck in a bin
That you been keeping me in
High on a shelf all by myself
Feeling like I'm doing my time
Under that sign
That reads forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
The song Forgotten by Neil Diamond seems to be about a person who has been left behind and forgotten by someone they cared about deeply. The lyrics suggest that this person did everything they knew how to do to make things right and maintain a healthy relationship, yet they were still left in the dark. The opening line is, "Oh I try to right by you," indicating that the singer tried to make things right but is left wondering, "where did it get me?" The lyrics go on to express the feeling of being left behind and forgotten, "High on a shelf all by myself, feeling like I'm doing my time, under a sign that reads forgotten."
The chorus of the song, "You've got me waiting out in the back, under a stack, stuck in a bin, you've been keeping me in," illustrates the singer's feeling of being trapped and alone, with no way to escape. They long for someone to save them, as expressed in the line "Now I'm sending out an S.O.S. Before I drown somebody save me." The lyrics express the painful struggle of trying to move on from the hurt caused by being forgotten.
Overall, Forgotten is a powerful song about the experience of feeling left behind and forgotten by someone important. It illustrates the feeling of being trapped, alone, and forgotten and suggests the painful struggle of trying to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I try to right by you
I tried to treat you well and do the right thing.
Yeah, yeah, yeah where did it get me?
But despite my efforts, how did it benefit me in the end?
And I tried to do everything I knew
I exerted all of my knowledge and skills.
Don't seem fair 'cause look where you left me
Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as you still left me in this miserable state.
You've got me waiting out in the back
You left me in hiding in a remote area.
Under a stack
Beneath a pile of other things.
Stuck in a bin
Trapped in a container or storage device.
You been keeping me in
You are the one responsible for keeping me stuck here.
High on a shelf all by myself
I am completely isolated and trapped up high, unreachable.
Feeling like I'm doing my time
I feel like I'm imprisoned and serving a sentence.
Under a sign
There's even a sign that describes my forgotten state.
That reads forgotten
The sign says that I have been neglected and abandoned.
Now I'm sending out an S.O.S
I'm finally asking for help.
Before I drown somebody save me
I might be lost forever unless someone comes to my rescue.
You took me down to where I been lately
You brought me down to where I am now, deserted and forgotten.
Been thinking bout you everyday
I'm constantly preoccupied with thoughts of you.
Baby not just now and then
It's not just a fleeting feeling, it's constant.
There's got to be a better way
There has to be a solution to this pain I'm feeling.
Don't wanna be f, o, r, go, t, t, e, n no
I no longer want to be forgotten and left behind.
I'm feeling like I've been used
I feel like you only got what you wanted from me and left.
You were gone before we got started
You disappeared before we even began.
And I know it ain't gonna make the news
I realize that my feelings will not be noticed by others.
You led me on then you departed
You gave me false hope and then left me behind.
Forgotten
There is an overwhelming sense of abandonment and isolation.
Forgotten
The feeling of being left behind is emphasized and reinforced.
Forgotten
The repetition of the word emphasizes just how forgotten I am.
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Forgotten
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind