Play Me by Neil Diamond

Album: Moods (1972)

Charted: 11

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

This is a beautiful love song describing the development of the singer's relationship with a new lover from its inception through its maturity. First the lover appears without explanation or question one morning next to his bed. The second verse is often ridiculed and parodied for its use of the word "brang," but it is excusable - songwriters make up words all the time for lyrical purposes. The third verse looks back on how the love of this person has guided the singer "on a road that was thorned and narrow." What isn't clear is whether the love is still current or has passed him by, once again. Being Neil Diamond, there is a good chance it has passed him by, yet again. The chorus celebrates how people complement each other to complete each other.
The guitar is somewhat reminiscent of "If You Could Read My Mind" by Gordon Lightfoot, and assuming the love is lost, the song is in the same spirit. >>
Suggestion credit:
Kelley - Hickory, KY, for above 2

Comments: 24

Robb From America.The song has many different meanings to different people. To me, the song is more about his love for music. He wakes up to find his guitar next to him, the love of his life. It helps him craft the song as a woman helps craft love.
Oakman from EuropeRon from Texas. Nothing to do with your religious s--te. Give it a rest putting your crap on others You don't know "this song exemplifies his recognition that inspiration comes from God"
Jbiff17 from AustraliaI agree with the guitar theory, however it’s from the perspective of the guitar. ‘I am the moon’ played at night, ‘I am the tune’, ‘play me’ , and then I think the guitar had to find another owner that would treat it the same way.
Tv from MiamiI thought the song was coming from the viewpoint of him and his guitar
AnonymousHonestly it reminded me initially of the story of Ruth and Boaz. Him being Jewish maybe he meant that.
MaragalI'm loving that other folks have mentioned the Holy Spirit and/or see a religious interpretation of Play Me. I thought I was the only one! I'm a Catholic and I had "Mary" in mind...
Irish Nd Fan from IrelandRon from Texas... get real
Thomas Turner from Iowa City, IowaBrand is actually used in Brooklyn, ny meaning brought or bring
Amby from IreandWhen growing up in Limerick city Ireland, we used the word brang (brought) as in he/she did bring to me. Maybe we picked it up from watching too many westerns!
John Teeples from Okemah, Ok.I think he is talking to his guitar. She (his guitar) was morning and I was nighttime. (he work at night) I one day woke up to find her (guitar) lying beside my bed she (guitar) softly said come take me. Us men are good about naming the things we love after women like cars ect...
Ron from TexasHoly Spirit told me that this song is a metaphor for accepting Jesus as saviour. Mr. Diamond was, like me, raised as a Jew. But this song exemplifies his recognition that inspiration comes from God. You are the sun I am the moon describes how we are to be reflections of Christ. What was good became me indicates that we assimilate .
Henry from Hayward, CaliforniaI was quizzing my buddies about this song, very few of them know about this wonderful song. :(
Senses from EnglandIt's it all about how it makes you feel!
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenJenny, thanks for mentioning "Desiree," which this site doesn't address. First "cougar" song I ever heard and probably the last Diamond song that I wanted to listen to. I had little use for his post-70s songs.
Kimberly from New YorkI think he is singing of his muse, who comes to him, provides inspiration, lives in him, and births the creation of a song. And it happens again and again. It’s a love song for his creation process, which, I imagine, is a very personal thing to him
Bob Harvey from SpainI have always believed that his guitar which was beside his bed was speaking to him as he woke up out of a bout of depression “You are the words, I am the tune...play me!” His guitar was trying to help him back on the path of creativity even if it was going to be difficult “Thorned and narrow” the guitar was missing him and thought it had done something wrong “For I’ve been lonely, as though I’d done someone wrong somewhere but I don’t know where”
Emily from GeorgiaVince from Houston and Candy from Colorado...YES!!!
Jenny from SydneyI may be 51 years old but it was this song and Neil's "Desiree" that got me hooked as a 5 year old little girl Dad played them all the time He finally sat me down and told me all about the wonderful singer/songwriter that is Neil Diamond This is a song that for me just makes me want to sit quietly and not just listen but FEEL the beauty of both the music and the lyrics It really doesn't matter what the song is actually about but what it means to you and how it makes you feel Neil has ALWAYS done that so well He can "Play Me" anytime
Candy from ColoradoVince from Houston; after listening to the song since the early 70s and now over and over again, Neil could very well be talking about his guitar. "laying be beside me" " play me" "songs brang to me and words that brang in me". I absolutely agree with you!!! The pictures are shown with guitars. Very awesome Vince it just didn't make sense this was about a woman!!!!
Tammy from NoneWhen you are raised in a church you are tought a lot of scripture and even though you might leave your faith it is still there. If you listen close to his music you will hear and feel Christ still using him as his instrument to work in the hearts of man.
Karan from Napoleon, OhioI would also like to offer a different interpretation. It is the Holy Spirit that he wakes up to find beside his bed. The Holy Spirit brings him song- which could also represent life. The thorned and narrow road is the way of the cross.
Vince from HoustonI'd like to offer a different interpretation of this song as its really about his relationship with his guitar, not a woman.
Mary Ann from Houston, TxThe perfect lovers song.....!
David from Youngstown, OhYet another beautiful song from Neil's early 70s mellow period. Other songs from this period would include Stones, Suzanne, Last Thing On My Mind, Song Sung Blue, Morningside and of course, I Am ... I Said.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

CruiseFlorida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" spent 24 weeks on top of the Country chart - the most ever until Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" was #1 for 34 weeks. The record was previously held by Eddy Arnold's "I'll Hold You in My Heart (1947-48), Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" (1950-51) and Webb Pierce's "In the Jailhouse Now" (1955), which each led for 21 weeks.

Jessie's GirlRick Springfield

"Jessie's Girl" tells the true story of a girl Rick Springfield was crushing on, but her boyfriend's name was really Gary and he was more of an acquaintance than a friend.

Doo Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill was the only US #1 hit of the '90s entirely written, produced and performed by a female singer.

The Wind Cries MaryJimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix wrote "The Wind Cries Mary" not about marijuana, but about his girlfriend at the time, Kathy Mary Etchingham.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas

Will.I.am, literally dreamt up "I Gotta Feelin'." Said the Black Eyed Pea: "Have you ever had a dream where there's a melody in your dream? I'll wake up out of my sleep and record that! 'I Gotta Feelin' was one of those songs."

The BestTina Turner

"The Best" by Tina Turner was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler; Turner's hit version added a bridge and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter.