About the Song:

“I’ve Been This Way Before” is a reflective ballad by Neil Diamond, released as the second single from his 1974 album Serenade. The song was a chart success, reaching No. 1 on the Easy Listening chart and peaking at No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100. The track received critical praise for its strong lyrical content and Diamond’s emotive vocal performance. Billboard described it as “stronger lyrically” compared to his more recent songs, while Cash Box highlighted the song’s “moody” atmosphere, with its piano opening building into a rich arrangement of strings, all underscored by Diamond’s confident voice.

The lyrics of “I’ve Been This Way Before” explore the cyclical nature of life. Diamond reflects on the experiences of joy and hardship, suggesting that both are inevitable and will recur throughout life. He draws on personal reflections, expressing familiarity with the emotions of being “refused” and “regained,” signifying both pain and recovery. The song’s chorus contrasts how people cope with life’s ups and downs, pointing out that while some express their emotions freely, others simply endure without asking why.

Through the song’s lyrics, Diamond muses on the cyclical process of life—how past experiences shape our resilience for the future. It carries the message that by recognizing and accepting these recurring patterns, we can find the strength to face new challenges. “I’ve Been This Way Before” ultimately presents a sense of acceptance about the ongoing nature of life’s highs and lows, portraying the wisdom gained from understanding this cycle.

Lyrics

I’ve seen the light
And I’ve seen the flame
And I’ve been this way before
And I’m sure to be this way again
For I’ve been refused
And I’ve been regained
And I’ve seen your eyes before
And I’m sure to see your eyes again
Once again
For I’ve been released
And I’ve been regained
And I’ve sung my song before
And I’m sure to sing my song again
Once again
Some people got to laugh
Some people got to cry
Some people, they got to make it through
And never wondering why
Some people got to sing
Some people got to sigh
Some people (some people), they never see the light
Until the day they die
But I’ve been released
And I’ve been regained
And I’ve been this way before
And I’m sure to be this way again
Once more time again
Just once again
One more time for us
Just one last time