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.
If There Were No Dreams
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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And there were no dreamers
And how could I dream you up
You're still a mystery to me
The way that we love
The life that we're leading
I don't want to give you up
Put a mountain there and I'll tear it down
If it's much too high then I'll go around
I won't stop for anyone or anything
And I'd love you even if there were no dreams
If there were no dreams
How could we be lovers
And how could I need you so
The reason's clear to even me
I know that it's right
You don't need to wonder
If you're up against that wall
I'm gonna be up against it too
If a mountain's there we can tear it down
If it's much too high we'll just go around
We won't stop for anyone or anything
We'd be lovers even if there were no dreams
Yes we would
Lovers even if there were no dreams
In "If There Were No Dreams," Neil Diamond is expressing his admiration for his lover and their relationship. He poses a hypothetical scenario where dreams and dreamers cease to exist, and states that if that were the case, he doesn't know how he could have possibly dreamt up someone like his significant other. He acknowledges that their love for each other is a source of mystery to him, but nonetheless, he is grateful for the life they lead together and does not want to give it up. The lyrics also suggest a sense of determination, as he declares that he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the relationship intact, even if that means tackling seemingly impossible obstacles like mountains. Overall, the song is a celebration of the power of love and the strength that it can give to overcome any challenge.
Line by Line Meaning
If there were no dreams
Without the existence of aspirations and goals,
And there were no dreamers
And people who believe in hopes,
And how could I dream you up
How could I have ever imagined finding you,
You're still a mystery to me
Despite the time we've spent together, you remain inexplicable to me,
The way that we love
Our way of expressing affection towards each other,
The life that we're leading
The present reality that we're experiencing together,
I don't want to give you up
I don't want to lose you,
Whatever I'll have to do, I'll do
I'll do whatever is necessary to keep you with me,
Put a mountain there and I'll tear it down
I won't let any obstacle come between us,
If it's much too high then I'll go around
If the challenge is too arduous, I'll find an alternative path,
I won't stop for anyone or anything
I won't let anyone or anything hinder our relationship,
And I'd love you even if there were no dreams
My love for you is unconditional and not reliant on aspirations,
How could we be lovers
How would we have formed such a strong emotional connection,
And how could I need you so
And how could I become so emotionally dependent on you,
The reason's clear to even me
The explanation for our bond is evident to me,
I know that it's right
I'm confident that our love is meant to be,
You don't need to wonder
You don't need to question my devotion to you,
If you're up against that wall
If you're struggling with something difficult,
I'm gonna be up against it too
I'll be there to help and support you through it,
We'd be lovers even if there were no dreams
Our affectionate relationship would still exist even without aspirations.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIAMOND, LEGRAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind