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.
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Neil Diamond Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't sing me love songs
You hardly talk to me anymore
When I come through the door at the end of the day
I remember when
You couldn't wait to love me
Used to hate to leave me
When it's good for you, babe
And you're feeling alright
Well, you just roll over
And you turn out the light
And you don't bring me flowers anymore
It used to be so natural (Used to be)
To talk about forever
But used-to-be's don't count anymore
They just lay on the floor 'til we sweep them away
And baby, I remember
All the things you taught me
I learned how to laugh
And I learned how to cry
Well I learned how to love
And I learned how to lie
So you'd think I could learn
How to tell you goodbye
You don't bring me flowers anymore
Well, you'd think I could learn
How to tell you goodbye
You don't sing to me
And you don't sing me love songs
You don't bring me flowers anymore
The song, "You Don't Bring Flowers" by Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand was a duet that became a hit in the late 1970s. The lyrics describe a relationship that has lost its spark and the partners no longer do the romantic things they used to do. The first verse talks about how the singer's partner no longer brings them flowers, sings love songs or talks to them much anymore. It is clear that the spark they once had has fizzled out.
The second verse talks about how they used to talk about being together forever but now 'used-to-be's don't count anymore'. The chorus "You don't bring me flowers anymore" is a metaphor, symbolizing the fading romance in the relationship. The third verse talks about how the partner has taught the singer many things including how to love and how to lie. It ends with the singer lamenting that they cannot even tell their partner goodbye despite what has happened.
Overall, the song tells a story of a relationship that has lost its passion and romance. It describes how the partners have stopped doing the little things that they used to do to make the other feel loved and it shows how these actions are necessary to keep a relationship strong.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't bring me flowers
You have stopped showing me affection in a romantic way
You don't sing me love songs
You no longer express your feelings for me through music or words
You hardly talk to me anymore
Our communication has significantly decreased and we rarely have deep conversations
When I come through the door at the end of the day
During the time we spend together, you do not exhibit much enthusiasm or interest
I remember when
You couldn't wait to love me
Used to hate to leave me
Now after lovin' me late at night
I reminisce about the past, when you were eager to show me affection and spending time with me was difficult because we didn't want to separate
When it's good for you, babe
And you're feeling alright
Well, you just roll over
And you turn out the light
And you don't bring me flowers anymore
When it is convenient for you to show me affection, you do, but most of the time you neglect to do so
It used to be so natural (Used to be)
To talk about forever
But used-to-be's don't count anymore
They just lay on the floor 'til we sweep them away
Talking about a long future together was effortless, but now those conversations are meaningless and forgotten
And baby, I remember
All the things you taught me
I learned how to laugh
And I learned how to cry
Well I learned how to love
And I learned how to lie
So you'd think I could learn
How to tell you goodbye
I appreciate everything that you have taught me, including the good and the bad. However, if I can learn to do all of those things, surely I can also learn to say goodbye to you
You don't bring me flowers anymore
Well, you'd think I could learn
How to tell you goodbye
Your grand gestures of love have diminished and I have come to accept that you will not change. It is time for me to move on from this relationship
You don't sing to me
And you don't sing me love songs
You don't bring me flowers anymore
Repeating the chorus, emphasizing the loss of passion and love in the relationship
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vindictivevillain
You don't bring me flowers
You don't sing me love songs
You hardly talk to me anymore
When I come through the door at the end of the day
I remember when
You couldn't wait to love me
Used to hate to leave me
Now after lovin' me late at night
When it's good for you, babe
And you're feeling alright
Well, you just roll over and turn out the light
And you don't bring me flowers anymore
It used to be so natural (used to be)
Talk about forever
But used-to-bes don't count anymore
They just lay on the floor 'til we sweep them away
And baby, I remember
All the things you taught me
I learned how to laugh
And I learned how to cry
Well, I learned how to love
And I learned how to lie
So you'd think I could learn how to tell you goodbye
(So you'd think I could learn how to tell you goodbye)
You don't bring me flowers anymore
Well, you'd think I could learn how to tell you goodbye
Well, you don't say you need me
And you don't sing me love songs
You don't bring me flowers anymore
@marklinroth3014
I first heard this song in the fall of 1977 as a freshman in college. I though that has got to be the saddest song I've ever heard. Having spent middle and high school as chicken #10, I swore that if I was ever lucky enough to have a woman in my life I would never let that happen. 25 years on, I still bring random flowers to Martha and surprise her with random events. I still hold the door for her and meet her at the airport with a bouquet (man, does she get comments from the women and I get dirty looks from the guys.) I sing to her also, even though with my skill that makes dogs whine. Yeah, newlyweds got nothing on us. And I make sure to listen to this song at least once a year so I never forget how important it is to hold her in the limelight.
@hummingbird9221
years! You are a wise man!
@Mindy-ny8pm
You're a wonderful person
@vernanelson4469
One fortunate lady your wife is. So good to hear how much you value her.
@oscarrocharealtorcaribemx7474
Me da gusto saber que has hecho cosas maravillosas a través de los años, y es un gusto saber que esta canción te inspira para dar lo mejor de ti a tu esposa. Que sigan juntos muchos años más!!!
@oscarrocharealtorcaribemx7474
I'm glad to know that you've done wonderful things over the years, and it's nice to know that this song inspires you to give your best to your wife. May they continue together for many more years!!!
@andrewh5457
Been married 38 years, and still bring my wife flowers every week.
@munsters2
RE:Andrew H. 1976 weeks x $30 = $59280
@tfinn7
& worth every penny ....try lawyers
@andrzejzyczynski
good for you