About the Song

Neil Diamond’s “September Morn,” released in 1979, is a powerful ballad that reflects the artist’s maturity and evolution during the 1970s, a decade marked by his creative exploration and stylistic shifts. This song represents Diamond’s transition toward lush, reflective ballads aimed at an adult audience, solidifying his iconic status in the music world.

In the early ’70s, Diamond began experimenting with unique sounds, like the African-inspired influences on Tap Root Manuscript, years before Paul Simon’s Graceland. As he moved to Columbia Records, his work took on a more adult-oriented tone. He even recorded the soundtrack for Jonathan Livingston Seagull, reflecting his interest in philosophical themes. During this time, Diamond released hits that bridged his acoustic style and more polished ballads, such as “Longfellow Serenade.”

In 1976, Diamond teamed up with Robbie Robertson of The Band, surprising fans with the autobiographical album Beautiful Noise

. Though Diamond’s appearance with The Band on The Last Waltz received mixed reviews from critics, it expanded his musical reach.

Diamond found his true ballad style with producer Bob Gaudio, formerly of the Four Seasons. Gaudio helped him produce a string of heartfelt hits, culminating with “September Morn,” a song inspired by French artist Gilbert Bécaud’s “C’est en septembre.” While Bécaud’s original lyric reflects seasonal changes in nature, Diamond’s version turns inward, capturing a wistful reflection on lost love.

With lyrics that reminisce about an old flame, Diamond creates a haunting narrative that speaks to the lingering impact of love. “September Morn” became an instant favorite and stayed close to Diamond’s heart, as he performed it at significant events, including a 1985 White House dinner for Prince Charles and Princess Diana and his 2020 return to the stage at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Lyrics

Stay for just a while
Stay and let me look at you
It’s been so long, I hardly knew you
Standing in the door
Stay with me a while
I only wanna talk to you
We’ve traveled halfway ’round the world
To find ourselves again
September morn
We danced until the night
Became a brand new day
Two lovers playing scenes
From some romantic play
September morning
Still can make me feel that way
Look at what you’ve done
Why, you’ve become a grown-up girl
I still can hear you crying
In a corner of your room
And look how far we’ve come
So far from where we used to be
But not so far that we’ve forgotten
How it was before
September morn
Do you remember
How we danced that night away
Two lovers playing scenes
From some romantic play
September morning
Still can make me feel that way
September morn
We danced until the night
Became a brand new day
Two lovers playing scenes
From some romantic play
September morning
Still can make me feel that way
September morn
We danced until the night
Became a brand new day
Two lovers playing scenes
From some romantic play
September morning
Still can make me feel that way
September morning
Still can make me feel that way

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