Shilo (song)
| "Shilo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Neil Diamond | ||||
| from the album Just for You | ||||
| B-side | "La Bamba" | |||
| Released | 1970 | |||
| Format | 7" 45 RPM | |||
| Genre | Pop/Rock | |||
| Length | 3:27 | |||
| Label | Uni Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Neil Diamond | |||
| Neil Diamond singles chronology | ||||
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"Shilo" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond. It was originally recorded in 1967 for Bang Records, but Diamond and Bang founder Bert Berns disagreed over Diamond's career path.[1] The singer wanted to move away from his early teen-oriented pop type of recordings that Berns favored, which led to Berns' refusal to release the more introspective "Shilo" as a single,[2] even though Diamond felt it was part of his development as an artist. "Shilo" was instead relegated to an album track on 1967's Just for You.[2] Shortly after what was said to be a "tense" confrontation with Berns, Diamond departed Bang for Uni Records in 1968.
Diamond went into a commercial slump, without hits, but by January 1970, his career had rebounded with "Sweet Caroline" and "Holly Holy" on Uni/MCA Records. Bang Records finally released "Shilo" as a single, albeit with a new backing track recorded to make it sound fresher and more like Diamond's current style.[2] This reached number 24 on the U.S. pop singles chart in spring 1970,[3] inspiring Bang to release a new Neil Diamond compilation album that year titled Shilo.
Following this, Diamond reissued his 1968 debut album with Uni, Velvet Gloves and Spit, in October 1970, to incorporate a completely new recording of "Shilo".[2]
In any case, "Shilo" was not about the American Civil War Battle of Shiloh or the Israeli town Shilo, but was about a childhood imaginary friend:[1]
- Shilo, when I was young —
- I used to call your name
- When no one else would come,
- Shilo, you always came
- And we'd play ...
The song was Diamond's most autobiographical to date, making reference to his lonely childhood amongst turmoil.[1] Diamond's emotional investment in the song contributed to his and Berns's coming into intense conflict.[1] Decades later, Rolling Stone would compare the song's stance to the emo style.[4]
Though not one of Diamond's biggest hits, "Shilo" has become one of his best-known songs, and is a staple of his concert appearances. It was included on the Diamond's 1972 Hot August Night live album as well as all almost all of his compilation albums.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. ISBN 1-55022-707-6. p. 50.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 William Ruhlmann. "Neil Diamond: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1983). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 1955 to present. Billboard Publications. ISBN 0-8230-7511-7. p. 88.
- ↑ Dan Epstein (2005-11-03). "Neil Diamonds' Jewels". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
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