The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World: No. 16
'Shilo'
Neil Diamond (1968)
The Breakdown: Lonely kid turns to an imaginary friend.
The Waterworks: "Papa says he'd love to be with you/If he had the time."
Casualty Count: One squandered father-son relationship
Listen to 'Shilo'
Buy 'Shilo' on iTunes
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: Songs, The Hit List
Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Dwayne Jonesat 5-05-2007
I definitely relate to this song.. I grew up in the same time period,,my father seem to to busy to spend time with his kids.. until they were grown..then the kids were busy with their own lives..
CalTalat 5-05-2007
This is about his childhood dog. Not an
imaginary freind.
Rose Leeat 5-05-2007
I love any of Neil Diamond's songs, but this one has a few memories!
Brigadoonat 5-05-2007
"I'd turn to the only friend I could find....there in my mind...."
Not a dog. An imaginary playmate.
Edat 5-05-2007
Like Cats In The Cradle, it makes me tear to remember my absence to two wonderful twin sons.
Billat 5-05-2007
Brooklyn Roads is a sadder song in my opinion..
Brooklyn RoadNeil DiamondIf I close my eyesI can almost hear my
motherCallin', "Neil, go find your brotherDaddy's home, and it's time
for supperHurry on"And I see two boysRacin' up two flights of
staircaseSquirmin' into Papa's embraceAnd his whiskers warm on their
faceWhere's it goneOh, where's it goneTwo floors above the
butcherFirst door on the rightLife filled to the brimAs I stood by
my windowAnd I looked out of thoseBrooklyn roadsI can still
recallThe smells of cookin' in the hallwaysRubbers drying in the
doorwaysAnd report cards I was alwaysAfraid to showMama'd come
to schoolAnd as I'd sit there softly cryingTeacher'd say, "He's just
not tryingHe's got a good head if he'd apply it"But you know
yourselfIt's always somewhere elseI built me a castleWith
dragons and kingsAnd I'd ride off with themAs I stood by my
windowAnd looked out on thoseBrooklyn roadsThought of going
backBut all I'd see are stranger's facesAnd all the scars that love
erasesBut as my mind walks through thoses placesI'm wonderin'What's
come of themDoes some other young boyCome home to my roomDoes
he dream what I didAs he stands by my windowAnd looks out on
thoseBrooklyn roads
Sonneyat 5-05-2007
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Ask for "Malcolm" of Marion, Illinois in America and he'll love you !!!
I like Shreey, Sherry better, OK?
Jamesat 5-05-2007
Neil Diamond has said in many interviews that "Shilo" is about his imaginary friend,not a dog.
Anyway,it is an amazing song.The first song I really conected with on an emotional level as a lonely teenager.I still get teary eyed listening to it.
Jamesat 5-05-2007
Neil Diamond has said in many interviews that "Shilo" is about his imaginary friend,not a dog.
Anyway,it is an amazing song.The first song I really conected with on an emotional level as a lonely teenager.I still get teary eyed listening to it.
Neil Friedmanat 5-05-2007
C'mon....Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle" is so much sadder than this and it's not imaginary when a boy is neglected by his father and turns out the same when he reaches manhood!
Rick Tindallat 5-05-2007
Neil Diamond's song Glory Road is another of his most beautiful yet sad compositions.
klunkat 5-05-2007
who care what shilo is, dog, cat, real, imaginary! the song rocks!
Markat 5-05-2007
"Only friend you can find there in your mind" = imaginary
"Young girl with fire" = female
"had a dream... She had other plans" = the dream would end
"Got to go said she'd know that I'd understand" = He grew up
Eddieat 5-05-2007
Again Neil's songs are always GREAT to listen too.
james stephensat 5-06-2007
I'd have to choose "i am i said" as a sadder song. More exitential angst.
zedat 5-06-2007
"i am i said" is sadder for me-more exitential angst
Katicaat 5-06-2007
Love Neil Diamond's song,they all have story to tell and he sings it with energy and life
Brianat 5-06-2007
I love the song (I probably shouldn't given my age), but I gotta disagree with this being on any sad list... The back story might be sad, but music makes it more of a fond memory instead of a tear-jerker.
Zimat 5-06-2007
I have to say when it comes to neglect, The song to go with is 'Cat in the Cradle.' It can strike a cord with anyone who has experienced or seen someone else go through neglect.
Ramseyat 5-06-2007
For myself, the saddest Diamond song is "If You Know What I Mean" - looking back at the good days in the turmoil of the present. 'Bout the bit of the dog. Diamond, as an adult, did have a German Shepherd named Shilo. Always made me wonder if the imaginary friend was a dog. On one version of "Shilo" you can hear Diamond call out the name Shilo as if calling out to a lost pet.