Shilo (song)
Encyclopedia
"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
. 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, 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 Israel
i town Shilo
, but was about a childhood imaginary friend
:
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 his and Berns's coming into intense conflict. Decades later, Rolling Stone
would compare the song's stance to the emo
style.
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.
Neil Diamond
Neil Leslie Diamond is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present....
.
It was originally recorded in 1967 for Bang Records
Bang Records
Bang Records was created by Bert Berns in 1965 together with his partners from Atlantic Records: Ahmet Ertegün, Nesuhi Ertegün and Jerry Wexler...
, but Diamond and Bang founder Bert Berns
Bert Berns
Bertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
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
Just for You (Neil Diamond album)
Just for You is the name of Neil Diamond's second album. Like his debut, it has never been released on CD, though all but two of the tracks were made available on the Classics: The Early Years compilation...
. Shortly after what was said to be a "tense" confrontation with Berns, Diamond departed Bang for Uni Records
Uni Records
Uni Records was a record label owned by MCA Inc. The brand, which long featured a distinct UNi logo, was established in 1966 by MCA executive Ned Tanen and developed by music industry veteran Russ Regan...
in 1968.
Diamond went into a commercial slump, without hits. But by January 1970, his career had rebounded with "Sweet Caroline
Sweet Caroline
"Sweet Caroline" is a pop song written and performed by Neil Diamond and officially released on September 16, 1969, as a single. It was later released on December 9, 1972 as a part of Diamond's Hot August Night album. There are three distinct mixes of this song...
" and "Holly Holy
Holly Holy
"Holly Holy" is a song written and recorded by Neil Diamond. Released as a single in October 1969, it was quite successful as the follow-on to "Sweet Caroline", reaching number 6 on the U.S. pop singles chart by December...
" on Uni/MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. 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
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in spring 1970, inspiring Bang to release a new Neil Diamond compilation album that year titled Shilo
Shilo (album)
Shilo is a compilation album of songs recorded by Neil Diamond, which was released on September 12, 1970 by Bang Records. Bang released a remixed version of "Shilo" in 1970 which became a hit and inspired this compilation of songs Diamond recorded for Bang in 1966 and 1967 before moving to Uni...
.
Following this, Diamond reissued his 1968 debut album with Uni, Velvet Gloves and Spit
Velvet Gloves and Spit
Velvet Gloves and Spit is the third album by Neil Diamond. His first for MCA's UNi label, it included three low-charting singles: "Brooklyn Roads" , "Two-Bit Manchild" and "Sunday Sun" ....
, in October 1970, to incorporate a completely new recording of "Shilo".
In any case, "Shilo" was not about the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
Battle of Shiloh
Battle of Shiloh
The Battle of Shiloh, also known as the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, was a major battle in the Western Theater of the American Civil War, fought April 6–7, 1862, in southwestern Tennessee. A Union army under Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant had moved via the Tennessee River deep into Tennessee and...
or the Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i town Shilo
Shilo (town)
Shilo is an Israeli settlement in the northern West Bank, located 28 miles north of Jerusalem on Route 60, next to the Palestinian town Turmus Ayya...
, but was about a childhood imaginary friend
Imaginary friend
Imaginary friends and imaginary companions are a psychological and social phenomenon where a friendship or other interpersonal relationship takes place in the imagination rather than external physical reality. Imaginary friends are fictional characters created for improvisational role-playing. They...
:
- 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 his and Berns's coming into intense conflict. Decades later, Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
would compare the song's stance to the emo
Emo
Emo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
style.
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
Hot August Night
Hot August Night is a 1972 live double album by Neil Diamond. The album is a recording of a Diamond concert on Thursday August 24, 1972, one of ten sold out concerts that Diamond performed that month at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles...
live album as well as all almost all of his compilation albums.