Sweet Caroline

Neil Diamond

About Sweet Caroline

"Sweet Caroline" is a song written and performed by American recording artist Neil Diamond and released in May 1969 as a single with the title "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)". It was arranged by Charles Calello, and recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart the week ending August 16, 1969, and was certified gold by the RIAA on August 18, 1969, for sales of one million singles. "Sweet Caroline" was also the first of fifty-eight entries on the US Easy Listening chart, peaking at #3. In the autumn of 1969, Diamond performed "Sweet Caroline" on several television shows. It later reached No. 8 on the UK singles chart in 1971. In a 2007 interview, Diamond stated the inspiration for his song was John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline, who was eleven years old at the time it was released. Diamond sang the song to her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007. On December 21, 2011, in an interview on CBS's The Early Show, Diamond said that a magazine cover photo of Caroline Kennedy as a young child on a horse with her parents created an image in his mind, and the rest of the song came together about five years after seeing the picture. However, in 2014 Diamond said the song was about his then-wife Marcia, but he needed a three-syllable name to fit the melody. The song has proven to be enduringly popular and, as of November 2014, has sold over two million digital downloads in the United States. In 2019, "Sweet Caroline" was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". 


Year:
1971
3:35
#2

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Where it began
I can't begin to knowin'
But than I know it's growing strong

Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along?

Hands, touchin' hands
Reaching out
Touching me
Touching you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe it never would

But now I
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you

Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no

Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Sweet Caroline

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Neil Diamond

Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter with a career spanning over five decades from the 1960s until the present. As of 2001, Diamond had sold over 115 million records worldwide including 48 million in the United States alone. He is considered to be the third most successful adult contemporary artist ever on the Billboard chart behind Barbra Streisand and Elton John. His songs have been covered internationally by many performers from various musical genres. more »

11 fans

Written by: Neil Diamond

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song History
"Sweet Caroline" was released in 1969 as a single and later included on Neil Diamond's album "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show."
Song Inspiration
Neil Diamond originally cited his then-wife, Marcia, as the inspiration for "Sweet Caroline." However, years later, he admitted it was inspired by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of JFK, after seeing her in a magazine when she was a little girl.
Neil Diamond's Performance
"Sweet Caroline" is one of Neil Diamond's most frequently performed songs during his concert tours around the world.
Commercial Success
The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. It also went platinum for sales over one million copies in the United States.
Cultural Impact
"Sweet Caroline" is commonly considered an anthem for the Boston Red Sox, and is frequently played at their home games in Fenway Park. This tradition started in 1998.
Recurrent Revenue
Due to its successful use in the media, concerts, and sports events, "Sweet Caroline" continues to generate substantial annual revenue.
Altogether Performances
In recent years, Neil Diamond performed "Sweet Caroline" live via satellite during the "Stand Up to Cancer" charity telethon. It became a sing-along event with more than $80 million raised for cancer research.
Chart Resurgence
Though originally released in 1969, "Sweet Caroline" re-entered the UK music charts in 1995 and then again in 2020, ranking at #83, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Universal Appeal
The song is frequently covered by other artists and bands, demonstrating its appeal across different genres and generations.
Honoring Healthcare Workers
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Neil Diamond changed the lyrics of "Sweet Caroline" and dedicated it to healthcare workers across the world.

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