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“America” Mini-Commentary

Neil Diamond depicts the optimism of immigrants “coming to America” from overseas. The first stanza of the song sets this optimistic tone. In journeying to America, immigrants may be leaving their homes, but they leave in possession of “a star.” Just as America stands out as a land of opportunity amongst other non-democratic countries, stars appear far off in the distance, but shine an uplifting light in the dark sky. This “star” is a symbol of the freedoms and opportunities immigrants will find in America. The “star” subtly alludes to the American flag. By including this allusion, Diamond reminds listeners that the journey to America is not a loss since freedom, democracy, and patriotism—all the flag stands for—are to gain. The fact that the people are “traveling light today” further symbolizes the immigrants’ anticipations of gaining a new life in America while leaving behind not only a home, but previous possessions as well. Diamond suggests that by “traveling light,” though, the immigrants are hopeful to obtain a fresh start, so hopeful they feel confident in leaving behind their material possessions. In this song, Diamond also examines the simultaneous urgency and confidence immigrants feel in “coming to America.” Diamond places emphasis by repeating the words “freedom” and “today” throughout the song. The repetition of these words demonstrates that the freedom America offers is an urgent need to be filled. The promise of “freedom’s light burning warm” calls the immigrants to leave the “eye of the storm” now, without delay. In these lines, Diamond also employs imagery to provide listeners with a visual that contrasts the warmth of America to the chaos and tragedy of the immigrants’ homelands. Diamond’s diction, however, conjures up a simultaneous calmness, representing how this urgency is matched with assuredness of a positive future; the immigrants are traveling from that “storm” to a “new and shiny place.” The positive connotation of words such as “warm,” “new,” and “shiny” further enhances the uplifting tone of this song. These words show life in America to be welcoming, clean, and vibrant, adjectives that paint an engaging picture of this new land According to songwriter Neil Diamond, the immigrants’ perspective when “coming to America” is positive, regardless of the realities of leaving their homelands and “not looking back again.” Within “America,” Neil Diamond illustrates that for the immigrants, the need for freedom now justifies all sacrifice.