About the song
“Sweet Caroline” is a beloved song by American singer Neil Diamond, released in May 1969. This classic track quickly captured the hearts of listeners, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning a gold certification for over a million sales. The song was arranged by Charles Calello and recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, marking a significant milestone in Diamond’s career.
Neil Diamond has shared various stories about the inspiration behind “Sweet Caroline.” In a 2007 interview, he revealed that the song was inspired by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, who was just 11 years old at the time. Diamond even performed the song for her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007. However, he also mentioned that a magazine cover of Caroline Kennedy as a young child on a horse sparked the initial idea for the song. Later, in 2014, Diamond explained that the song was actually inspired by his then-wife Marcia, though he chose the name “Caroline” to fit the melody better.
The popularity of “Sweet Caroline” extends beyond its initial success. In the fall of 1969, Diamond performed the song on various television shows, and it also enjoyed success internationally, reaching No. 8 on the UK singles chart in March 1971. Decades later, in July 2021, the song saw a resurgence in the UK Singles Chart due to its adoption by England football fans during Euro 2020, re-entering the chart at No. 48 and climbing to No. 20 the following week.
Critics have praised “Sweet Caroline” for its warmth and emotional impact. Cash Box described it as “sensational,” noting the song’s rich and engaging production. Record World praised it as a track full of “rich excitement,” and Billboard highlighted its “exceptional production and vocal performance.” The song’s enduring appeal is evident, with over two million digital downloads in the United States as of November 2014. Its catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics have made “Sweet Caroline” a timeless favorite.
Video
Lyrics
Where it began
I can’t begin to know when
But then I know it’s growin’ strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who’d have believe you’d come along?
Hands
Touchin’ hands
Reachin’ out
Touching me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they 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 shoulders
How can I hurt when holdin’ you?
Warm
Touchin’ warm
Reachin’ out
Touchin’ me, touchin’ you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I’ve been inclined
To believe they never would, oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
Sweet Caroline
I believe they never could
Sweet Caroline