Shilo (song)

"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. 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, 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".cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifixqe5ld6e~T1 | title=Neil Diamond: Biography | author=William Ruhlmann | publisher=Allmusic | accessdate=2008-04-30] 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. This reached number 24 on the U.S. pop singles chart in spring 1970,cite book | last=Whitburn | first=Joel | authorlink=Joel Whitburn | title=The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: 1955 to present | publisher=Billboard Publications | year=1983 | isbn=0-8230-7511-7 p. 88.] 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".

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:cite book | last=Jackson | first=Laura | authorlink=Laura Jackson | title=Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion | publisher=ECW Press | year=2005 | isbn=1550227076 p. 50.]

:"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. Diamond's emotional investment in the song contributed to he and Berns coming into intense conflict. Decades later, "Rolling Stone" would compare the song's stance to the emo style. [cite news | url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/neildiamond/articles/story/8730821/neil_diamonds_jewels | title=Neil Diamonds' Jewels | author=Dan Epstein | publisher="Rolling Stone" | date=2005-11-03 | accessdate=2008-05-08]

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