PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

As I was driving up the road from Salem to Portland the other day, I was listening to one my favorite discs – “The Very Best of Neil Diamond.”

It was a good way to pass the time on a drive that, most of the time, is marked by too many cars and frequent traffic jams.

So, here are Thoughts on a few Diamond songs.

Forever in Blue Jeans

This is the first song on the disc and the lyrics always remind me of former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. He made popular the attire of wearing blue jeans with suit jackets.

It was something, then and now, that my wife would not allow me to wear. But, for Kitzhaber, during much of his time in office, both as Senate President and Governor, he set a style that was mimicked by many others.

I’m a Believer

Neil Diamond first sang this song, then it was made popular by the Monkeys, of all strange developments in the music business.

I can never hear the words without thinking of my wife, the light of my life, when I hear, “then I saw her face and I’m a believer and I could never leave her.”

Pretty Amazing Grace

I don’t know the exact derivation of this song — in the sense of Mr. Diamond’s religious convictions — but there must be as religious connotation to it. The fact is that, for Christians, there is “pretty amazing grace.”

Our personal relationship with God depends, not on our own performance or earnings, but rather that on what Jesus Christ has done for us. That’s “pretty amazing grace!”

Holly Holy

If you listen to the lyrics, not to mention the rising crescendo of voice and instruments, it is hard not to park the car and, privately, move or dance along with the music.  In my case, no one would want to see that.  Holly Holy is a work with a spiritual focus, reportedly one of Mr. Diamonds’ favorite songs. The spiritual tone is indicated by these words:

Call the sun in the dead of the night
And the sun’s gonna rise in the sky
Touch a man who can’t walk upright
And that lame man, he’s gonna fly
And I fly
And I fly

Sing on, Mr. Diamond.

America

I cannot hear the lyrics to this great song without thinking of the contrast to today’s America, where, under President Donald Trump, all immigrants are considered evil and corrupt.

Now, of course, there are corrupt individuals in any cohort, but the fact is that immigrants over the years have contributed much to our country. They wanted to “come to America” and our country, overall, is better for their arrival.

There is more that could be written about Diamond songs, but let me just say this – “The Very Best of Neil Diamond” will remain in my car disc player.

Listening is a great way to pass the time, as well as think various big thoughts spurred by great music sung by a great song writer.