Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond is one of the most enduring American pop songs of the late 1960s, a bright and instantly recognizable recording that has stayed in public life for more than five decades.
Released as a single on May 28, 1969, with "Dig In" on the B-side, the song was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis and arranged by Charles Calello. The album version runs 3:21, while the single edit runs 2:51. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending August 16, 1969, earned RIAA Gold certification on August 18, 1969, reached No. 8 in the United Kingdom in March 1971, and returned to No. 20 in the United Kingdom in July 2021 after its adoption during Euro 2020. In 2018, it was selected for the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
Beyond the charts, the song has become a shared crowd singalong tradition at Fenway Park in Boston. It was played there in 1997 by Amy Tobey and became an official staple from 2002, and after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing it took on added meaning as a symbol of resilience, with Diamond flying in to lead the crowd.
Readers exploring other classic recordings may also enjoy Hotel California lyrics, Bohemian Rhapsody lyrics and Seven Nation Army lyrics, as well as the related screen story in Song Sung Blue movie.
Sweet Caroline Song Credits
Song: Sweet Caroline
Singer: Neil Diamond
Lyrics: Neil Diamond
Music: Neil Diamond
Album: Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show
Producer: Tommy Cogbill, Neil Diamond, Tom Catalano
Music Label: Uni/MCA
Release Date: May 28, 1969
Sweet Caroline Lyrics
Lyrics for this song are pending — this post will be updated with the complete verified lyrics as sung.
Watch the Official Video
Watch Neil Diamond in a classic television performance from The Ed Sullivan Show, rather than a later artist-channel upload.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Sweet Caroline released?
It was released as a single on May 28, 1969. The album version runs 3:21, while the single edit runs 2:51.
Who wrote Sweet Caroline?
It was written and performed by Neil Diamond. Tommy Cogbill, Neil Diamond and Tom Catalano are credited as producers.
Why is Sweet Caroline played at Fenway Park?
Amy Tobey played it at Fenway Park in 1997, and it became an official staple there from 2002 as a crowd singalong tradition in the eighth inning. After the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, it also became a symbol of resilience, with Diamond flying in to lead the crowd.
What inspired Sweet Caroline?
Diamond himself gave differing accounts. In 2007, he said Caroline Kennedy was the inspiration, while in 2014 he said his then-wife Marcia Murphey inspired it and that he needed a three-syllable name. Both accounts are reported here without settling the question.
0 Comments
Please don't enter any spam link in the comment box.
Emoji