From THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES
Written by David Foster, Neil Diamond & Jeremy Lubbock
Neil Diamond’s “The Best Years Of Our Lives” was released in 1988, two years after “Headed For The Future.” It was probably his best work of the decade. Together with David Foster, the singer created an organic, flowing record that was true to his best tradition of pop ballads and upbeat songs. Foster produced and arranged the whole album. He gave Diamond a solid edge on the up-tempo numbers while keeping the saccharine to the minimum on the lovely ballads. From the opening bars of the rocking, positive title track to the emotional ballad, “Long Hard Climb,” that closes the album, all the stuff included is vintage Diamond. Three singles became Adult Contemporary hits, including the haunting “This Time.” It is a bittersweet, melancholy melody co-written by Diamond with Foster and Jeremy Lubbock, who also arranged the gorgeous strings. The singer’s baritone shines on this ballad with Foster’s effective but rightfully subdued arrangement. There’s more to appreciate on “The Best Years Of Our Lives,” the pretty cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Baby Can I Hold You” or “Courtin’ Disaster” again co-written with Foster. Overall the album is really enjoyable and a very good chapter in Diamond’s long story of success.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/this_time.mp3|titles=This time|artists=Neil Diamond]
Lead Vocal: Neil Diamond
Drums: Tris Imboden & Carlos Vega
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Electric Guitar: Michael Landau
Backing Vocals: Richard Page & Bill Champlin
Produced & Arranged by David Foster
Strings arranged by Jeremy Lubbock
Lyrics
If there was time enough for me
To do it all, again
I promise you, that I would find
A way to make it right,
This time
This time I’d love you even more
I never thought, I could
But now I know, that I would find
A way to make it right
This time
Over again, I closed my eyes,
And I keep reliving it over again
It’s over but then
I’ve got my dream
Don’t no one dare tell me no
And you’d be mine this time for sure
Only got to show I care the way I do
And I’d be there this time for you.
If there was time enough to say
The things I feel inside
I promise you, I’d find a way
A way to say them right
This time
Over again, I closed my eyes
And I keep reliving it
Over again
It’s over but then
I’ve got my dream
Don’t no one dare tell me no
And I’ll be there this time for sure
‘Cause I’m not the same man
That I was before
And I’m nothing at all
If I’m not yours
I only got to show I care the way I do
And I’ll be there this time for you
Yes, I’ll be there this time for you