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.
The Boat That I Row
Neil Diamond Lyrics
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Whatever I got, well, I know it's mine
I don't go around with the local crowd
I don't dig what's in so I guess I'm out
I'm saying these things
So you know me, baby
So, you understand what I'm all about
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you
There ain't a man alive
Can tell me what to say
I choose my own side and I like it that way
I don't worry about all the things that I'm not
There's only one thing that I want I ain't got
You know that I'm talkin' about you, baby
But you better know before you come along
The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you
I'm saying these things
So you know me, baby
Do you understand what I'm all about
The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you
The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
In Neil Diamond's song The Boat That I Row, he sings about being comfortable with himself and not caring about fitting in with the local crowd. He acknowledges that the boat he rows won't take him far, but he has love and that's what's important to him. Diamond emphasizes that nobody can tell him what to say or do, he chooses his own path in life. The one thing he really wants but doesn't have is the woman he's singing to, and he's inviting her to join him in his boat that may not take him far, but it's big enough for both of them.
In this song, Neil Diamond is all about being true to oneself and not trying to conform to society's norms. He sings about how he's fine with whatever he's got, even if it's not a lot. He also talks about being true to his beliefs and not worrying about what he's not. He believes that nobody can tell him what to do or say, he'll make his own choices. He's trying to convey his true self to this woman he's singing to, and invites her to join him in his journey.
The overall message of the song is that one should be comfortable with who they are and what they got, and they don't need much to be happy. It's an invitation to this woman to join him in his life, regardless of where it may take them, as long as they have each other.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't have a lot, but with me that's fine
I am content with what I possess, and I don't necessarily need more.
Whatever I got, well, I know it's mine
I take ownership of whatever I have.
I don't go around with the local crowd
I don't follow others just because they are popular or trendy.
I don't dig what's in so I guess I'm out
If I don't like something, I won't pretend to like it just to fit in with others.
I'm saying these things
So you know me, baby
So, you understand what I'm all about
I'm opening up to you so that you can truly know and understand me.
There ain't a man alive
Can tell me what to say
No one can force me to speak a certain way or say things that I don't believe.
I choose my own side and I like it that way
I make my own decisions and stand by them, even if others disagree.
I don't worry about all the things that I'm not
I don't waste time thinking about what I lack, but instead focus on what I have.
There's only one thing that I want I ain't got
You know that I'm talkin' about you, baby
But you better know before you come along
The only thing I desire that I don't have is your love, but I want you to know what you're getting into before you commit to being with me.
The boat that I row won't cross no ocean
The boat that I row won't get me there soon
But I got the love and if you got the notion
The boat that I row's big enough for two
Just me and you
My path in life may not be glamorous or fast-paced, but I have enough love to share and if you're willing, we can enjoy the journey together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL DIAMOND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind