Today my wife, Risa, got out of bed and experienced an awful moment of feeling the room was spinning. She is no tourist to migraines and vertigo, but this felt different. It passed in a couple of minutes, but the fear that it would return lingered.
We sat on a bench in our bedroom, and I sang the John Denver song, “Some Days Are Diamonds,” one of my all-time favorites.
We spent a quiet hour together. She drank electrolytes and felt confident enough to take a shower. Then she got on with her day.
The song stuck in my mind all day. I listened to Denver sing it several times and studied the lyrics, which can mean different things to different people.
The song was released by John Denver in 1981. The opening verse is: “When you ask how I’ve been here without you / I like to say fine and I do / but we both know the truth is hard to come by / and if I told the truth, that’s not quite true.”
Powerful lyrics for every person as we go through life.
A business, a workplace, a financial report tell a different message every day. Some days are diamonds. Some days are stones.
The song was released soon after Denver’s divorce and can easily be interpreted as expressing his good days and tough ones. But ironically he did not write the song.
The song was written in 1976 and recorded under the name Dick Feller, and it was a failure on the charts. But Dick Feller soon became Deena Kaye Rose after changing her gender. She became an activist for the transgender cause. (Information from Wikipedia)
This doesn’t change the meaning of the song, as interpreted so beautifully and soulfully by John Denver.
Life has its ups and downs, joys and misery, winners and flops. For me, it is fear that “puts a chill in my bones,” as the lyrics tell us.
“Sometimes we look in the mirror and don’t recognize ourselves,” the song says. And it isn’t only about aging.
I love the lyrics and prefer to interpret it as positive. You push through, and then even fear can drift away to allow us a good day after a rough start.
Some days are diamonds, some days are stones.
The song and message live on, long after John Denver’s death. Have a diamond of a day, yourself.
Question: What songs have a special meaning for you?
7 Comments
I needed this today, Lloyd. Thank you.
You missed an entire career opportunity Lloyd.
Love the video, Lloyd!
When it comes to music, I usually “choose” a theme song for the year. Sometimes it comes to me in June, other times I know my trajectory. One that has always stuck with me is a song by Kid Cudi, Pursuit of Happiness. It’s no classic, but the line “I’m on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shines ain’t always gonna be gold” is what stood out most to me. Of course, John Denver’s Calypso is unforgettable too!
Loved your singing!!
For interesting, meaningful lyrics, I would advise your readers to look into my friend, singer and songwriter, Susan Werner. She has written and sung songs on many diverse topics, from upbeat and humorous to difficult issues of the day, such as volunteerism and homelessness, the dilemma of abortion, rural versus urban issues. Her eight unnecessary songs album will bring more than eight smiles to your face.
Sweet Loretta Martin thought she was a woman, but she was another man…
Nice singing, Lloyd – and a capella, too! That’s an impressive accomplishment.
All the best to you and Risa.
It’s in the family. Dad played piano and sax. Sister Sue is gifted pianist and has perfect pitch. I enjoy singing. Take Me out to the Ballgame favorite song. Took accordion lessons as a kid. Squeeze box not my thing.