For other uses, see Sweet Caroline (disambiguation).
Sweet Caroline
single
CoverSweet Caroline cover.jpg
ArtistNeil Diamond
AlbumBrother Love's Travelling Salvation Show
B-sideDig In
ReleasedMay 28, 1969
StudioAmerican Sound (Memphis)
GenreSoft rock[1]
Length3:21 (LP Version)
2:51 (Single Edit)
LabelUni/MCA
WriterNeil Diamond
Producer
Prev year1969
Next year1969

"Sweet Caroline" (also titled as "Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)") is a song written and performed by American singer Neil Diamond and released as a single on May 28, 1969. It was arranged by Charles Calello,[2] and recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.

Inspiration

Neil Diamond has provided different explanations for the song's origins. In a 2007 interview, he stated the inspiration for the song was John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline Kennedy, who was 11 years old at the time it was released.[3][4] Diamond sang the song for her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007.[5] 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[6] with her parents John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy created an image in his mind, and the rest of the song came together about five years after seeing the picture.[7] However, in 2014, Diamond said the song was about his then-wife Marcia Murphey, but he needed a three-syllable name to fit the melody.[7]

Performance

The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the week ending August 16, 1969,[8] and was certified gold by the RIAA on August 18, 1969, for sales of one million singles.[9] "Sweet Caroline" was also the first of Diamond's 58 entries on the US Easy Listening chart, peaking at No. 3.[10]

In the autumn of 1969, Diamond performed "Sweet Caroline" on several television shows. It later reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart in March 1971.

In July 2021, "Sweet Caroline" re-entered the UK Singles Chart again 50 years after its first UK release, following its use by England supporters during Euro 2020. It re-entered the chart at No. 48 on the week ending July 15 and a week later it rose to No. 20.[11]

Critical reception

Cash Box called the song "sensational", highlighting the fact that Diamond's "material and production sound take on a completely different dimension in this love ballad which maintains a warm glow throughout with occasional surges of strength".[12] Record World said that "Neil Diamond stirs rich excitement with this voluptuous new 'Sweet Caroline'."[13] Billboard called it a "hard hitting love ballad" with "exceptional production and vocal workout".[14] The song has proven to be enduringly popular and, as of November 2014, has sold over two million digital downloads in the United States.[15]

Chart history

Weekly charts

Chart (1969)Peak
position
Australia (KMR)3
South Africa (Springbok)[16]7
US Cash Box Top 100[17]3
Chart (1971)Peak
position
Chart (2008)Peak
position
Chart (2021)Peak
position
[11]
Chart (2022)Peak
position
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Chart (2025)Peak
position

Year-end charts

Chart (1969)Rank
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18]37
US Billboard Hot 100[19]22
US Cash Box [20]26

Alternative versions

There are three distinct mixes of this song. In the original mono 45 mix, the orchestra and glockenspiel are more prominent than in the stereo version on the Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show LP. The third version was a remix found only on the initial CD release of Diamond's 1974 compilation His 12 Greatest Hits.[21] This version has the orchestra mixed down and has the background vocals mixed up. It has a longer fade as well. A live version of the song is on his 1972 Hot August Night LP.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Diamond changed some of the lyrics to "Hands ... washing hands ... don't touch me ... I won't touch you."[22]

Use at sporting events

United States

The song has been played at Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, since at least 1997[23] and in the middle of the eighth inning at every game since 2002.[24] On opening night of the 2010 season at Fenway Park, the song was performed live by Diamond himself.[25] Several days after the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013, Neil Diamond led the crowd at Fenway Park in a rendition of the song.[26] The New York Yankees, the longtime rivals, showed their support for the city by playing the song over Yankee Stadium's loudspeakers the day after the incident.[27] Sales of the song surged nearly 600 percent in the week after the bombings, to 19,000 copies, up from 2,800 the week before.[28] Diamond said that he would donate his royalties from those sales to the One Fund Boston charity to help the people affected by the bombings.[29]

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the song has become a prominent pre‑fight anthem at boxing events, particularly those promoted by Matchroom Boxing, Queensberry Promotions and Boxxer. Its regular use is widely attributed to promoter Eddie Hearn, who incorporated the song into his events as a crowd-pleasing singalong, typically played just before the main event and fighter ring walks.[30] Although the song has no direct historical connection to boxing, its catchy chorus and communal appeal made it ideal for energising crowds, and it became a staple feature of British boxing atmospheres during the 2010s.[31] Over time, the tradition has evolved into an expected ritual before headline bouts, helping create the loud, singalong atmosphere that fans have come to expect on a big fight night in the UK.[32]

Personnel

Legacy

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".[33] In 2020 the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[34]

DJ Ötzi version

Austrian singer DJ Ötzi released a version of the song in 2009 through UMG. His version reached number 19 on the German singles chart, staying for 18 weeks in the German charts. It also peaked at number 18 on the Austrian charts.[35] The song was also included on his album Hotel Engel (Gold Edition).

Track listings

CD single
  1. "Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
  2. "Sweet Caroline" (DJ mix) - 3:46
2009 Limited Edition CD single
  1. "Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
  2. Exclusive Bonus Video (Gerry Friedle: Mein Leben mit DJ Ötzi) - 19:04
2010 CD single
  1. "Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
  2. "Sweet Caroline" (Euro 2010 Magic Moments version) - 3:46

Charts

Chart (2009–2010)Peak
position
Germany (Official German Charts)19

Other versions

In 2001, a version by Dustin the Turkey for the compilation Dustin's Greatest Hits reached No. 1 on the Irish Singles Chart, the character's sixth Irish number one.[36]

References

  1. ^ Ryan, Patrick (July 3, 2013). "Neil Diamond's 'Freedom Song' will ring out". USA Today. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  2. ^ Calello, Charles. "Calello's Billboard Magazine Top 100". Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Glaister, Dan (November 21, 2007). "Neil Diamond reveals secret of Sweet Caroline". The Guardian. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  4. ^ Beggy, Carol & Shanahan, Mark (November 21, 2007). "'Sweet Caroline' revealed". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  5. ^ Cohen, Sandy (November 20, 2007). "Diamond Reveals 'Caroline' Inspiration". Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "Neil Diamond Reveals the Cute, Pervy Roots of 'Sweet Caroline'". Intelligencer. November 21, 2007.
  7. ^ Respers, Lisa (October 20, 2014). "Neil Diamond reveals story behind 'Sweet Caroline'". CNN. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Billboard, Hot 100, August 16, 1969
  9. ^ "Gold & Platinum". www.riaa.com. RIAA. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001. Record Research. p. 78.
  11. ^ "Sweet caroline | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts.com
  12. ^ "CashBox Record Reviews". Cash Box. June 14, 1969. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
  13. ^ "Single Picks of the Week". Record World. June 14, 1969. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  14. ^ "Spotlight Singles". Billboard. June 14, 1969. p. 84. Retrieved 2023-05-08.
  15. ^ Appel, Rich (November 26, 2014). "Revisionist History, Part 5: Bon Jovi's 'Prayer' Answered, 'Caroline' Is Sweeter Than 'Sugar'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 26, 2014.
  16. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  17. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 8/30/69". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  18. ^ "RPM Top Singles of 1969". Library and Archives Canada. RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
  19. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1969/Top 100 Songs of 1969". www.musicoutfitters.com
  20. ^ "Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1969". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  21. ^ "Neil Diamond Album Overview Part 4: 1981-2003 The Compilation-Mania Years". Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
  22. ^ Kole, William J. (March 27, 2020). "If you don't laugh, you cry: Coping with virus through humor". Winston-Salem Journal. Associated Press[dead link]
  23. ^ Browne, Ian (April 17, 2013). "Fenway Park's anthem started innocuously". MLB.com. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  24. ^ Vosk, Stephanie (May 29, 2005). "Another mystery of the Diamond, explained at last". The Boston Globe
  25. ^ Hirschfield, Adam (April 4, 2010). "Neil Diamond Sings 'Sweet Caroline' Live at Fenway Park". NESN. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  26. ^ Perry, Dayn (April 20, 2013). "Neil Diamond sang at Fenway . . . uninvited". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  27. ^ Marchand, Andrew (November 9, 2012). "Yankees extend support to Boston". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  28. ^ "Neil Diamond to Donate 'Sweet Caroline' Royalties to Boston Charity". The Hollywood Reporter. April 25, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  29. ^ McKinley Jr, James C. (April 25, 2013). "Neil Diamond to Donate 'Sweet Caroline' Royalties to Boston Bombing Charity". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  30. ^ Happe, Liam (11 July 2021). "Sweet Caroline: What is the deal with Neil Diamond's classic song at boxing, England football and other sports?". www.dazn.com. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  31. ^ Away, Seconds. "What is the reason they box with Sweet Caroline? And when". Seconds Away. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  32. ^ Hewlett, Joe (2022-03-17). "How Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline became the national anthem of boxing". Planet Sport. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
  33. ^ Andrews, Travis M. (March 20, 2019). "Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' among recordings deemed classics by Library of Congress". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
  34. ^ "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com
  35. ^ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at
  36. ^ "Retro Irish Top Ten: It's 25 years since Dustin the Turkey reached number one with "32 Counties"". Irish Independent. November 20, 2024.