In the vast and glittering catalog of Neil Diamond’s career, certain songs shine not just because of their melodies, but because of the emotional truths they carry. One of those hidden gems is “This Time,” a deeply reflective track that captures the soul of an artist who has always understood the beauty and complexity of the human heart. Featured during the era of Greatest Hits Live in 1988, the song stands as a poignant reminder that even decades into his career, Diamond was still finding new ways to speak to listeners in the most personal, heartfelt ways.
While many fans know Neil Diamond for his grand, crowd-pleasing anthems like “Sweet Caroline” or “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “This Time” offers something quieter, more intimate. It trades stadium-sized sing-alongs for emotional honesty, and in doing so, reveals a different but equally powerful side of his artistry.
A Song About Growing Older — and Wiser
At its core, “This Time” is about second chances. But not the naïve, fairy-tale kind. This is a mature reflection on love that has survived mistakes, distance, and the slow passage of time. Diamond doesn’t pretend that the past didn’t happen. Instead, he acknowledges it — the missteps, the misunderstandings, the roads not taken — and then dares to believe that love might still be worth fighting for.
That balance between regret and hope is what gives the song its emotional weight. The lyrics feel lived-in, as if they were written not from imagination but from experience. Diamond sings not like a young dreamer chasing romance, but like someone who has known both joy and loss and still chooses to believe in connection.
There’s a quiet bravery in that message. As we grow older, it’s easy to let disappointment harden into cynicism. “This Time” pushes back against that instinct. It suggests that even after heartbreak, even after time has left its marks, there’s still room for renewal. Love, the song says, doesn’t have to be perfect to be real.
The Power of Performance
One of the reasons “This Time” resonates so strongly is Neil Diamond’s unmistakable voice. By 1988, his vocals carried a deeper texture — slightly weathered, richer with experience. That quality works beautifully here. Every note sounds earned, every phrase weighted with meaning.
Unlike his more bombastic hits, the delivery in “This Time” is controlled and deliberate. He doesn’t oversing. He lets the emotion build naturally, especially in the chorus, where the melody opens up and lifts the song into something quietly triumphant. When he sings about believing that “this time” things can be different, it doesn’t sound like wishful thinking — it sounds like a man who understands the risks and chooses hope anyway.
Live performances from this period only amplify the song’s impact. On stage, Diamond had a way of connecting directly with audiences, making even large venues feel personal. “This Time” becomes less of a performance and more of a shared confession, a moment where thousands of people can reflect on their own stories of love, loss, and trying again.
Musical Simplicity, Emotional Depth
Musically, “This Time” doesn’t rely on flashy production or elaborate arrangements. Instead, it leans into a classic adult contemporary style that allows the lyrics and vocal performance to take center stage. Soft instrumentation supports the melody without overpowering it — gentle keys, restrained percussion, and subtle backing harmonies create a warm, reflective atmosphere.
That simplicity is part of the song’s strength. There’s nothing distracting you from the message. Every musical choice serves the story, reinforcing the feeling that this is not just a song to hear, but a song to feel.
It also speaks to Diamond’s skill as a songwriter. He has always known how to craft melodies that feel both accessible and emotionally rich. “This Time” may not be as instantly catchy as some of his radio hits, but it lingers in a different way. It stays with you, resurfacing during quiet moments when you find yourself thinking about the paths your own life has taken.
A Mirror for the Listener
What truly elevates “This Time” is how easily listeners can see themselves in it. Almost everyone has experienced a relationship that didn’t quite work out the first time. Maybe it was bad timing, maybe pride got in the way, or maybe life simply pulled two people in different directions. The song captures that universal “what if” — and then gently shifts the focus toward “what now?”
It doesn’t promise a guaranteed happy ending. Instead, it honors the courage it takes to try again. To open your heart after it’s been hurt. To believe that growth and change are possible. That message resonates across generations, which is one of the reasons Neil Diamond’s music continues to endure.
For longtime fans, “This Time” feels like a conversation with an old friend — familiar, comforting, and honest. For newer listeners, it can be an unexpected discovery, a reminder that Diamond’s catalog goes far beyond the biggest hits and into deeply personal territory.
A Late-Career Highlight
By the late 1980s, many artists from Diamond’s era were leaning heavily on nostalgia. Neil Diamond, however, was still creating music that felt relevant and emotionally present. “This Time” is proof of that continued creative vitality. It shows an artist who refused to coast on past success and instead kept exploring the emotional landscapes that made his music so meaningful in the first place.
The song also fits beautifully within the broader themes that have always defined his work: love, longing, self-reflection, and resilience. It’s a quieter chapter in his musical story, but no less important.
Why “This Time” Still Matters
In today’s fast-moving world, where music often chases trends and instant impact, “This Time” feels refreshingly sincere. It invites listeners to slow down, to reflect, to sit with their emotions instead of scrolling past them.
It reminds us that life doesn’t move in straight lines. That mistakes are part of the journey. That love can evolve. And that sometimes, the most powerful words in the world are simply: this time.
Whether you’ve been a Neil Diamond fan for decades or you’re just beginning to explore his music, “This Time” is a song worth revisiting. It’s not just a track from a live-era collection — it’s a heartfelt meditation on what it means to grow, to forgive, and to believe in new beginnings even after the old ones have fallen apart.
And in that way, it’s not just Neil Diamond’s story.
It’s ours, too.