Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline

The "Sweet Caroline" that the song refers to is Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F Kennedy...
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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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Lyrics submitted by Ice

Track duration: 03:23

"Sweet Caroline" as written by Neil Diamond

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Sweet Caroline song meanings
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33 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:Neil Diamond himself revealed the origin of this song during an interview in 2011 on the Early Show on CBS. When he was 23 years old, he saw a picture of an eleven year-old Caroline Kennedy sitting on a horse on the cover of a magazine. And then, as a man in his mid-twenties, he wrote a romantic song about an eleven year-old. So the next time you're singing, "Hands, touching hands. Reaching out. Touching me. Touching you," remember that you're singing the ballad of a pedophile. Enjoy!
    Flag Chippahsonon May 01, 2013   Link
  • -2
    General Comment:Absolutely do not like Neil Diamond's voice much less his music, but this is indeed a classic. Obviously about a boyfriend/girlfriend who have been together for at least two seasons. They hold each other's hands and are deep in love. Caroline helps ease his pain. Just a touching song about two people together physically, spiritually, emotionally...a real connection.
    Flagged NooContacton August 28, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I like this song cause it's got my great grandma and my middle name in it and it's a good song
    Flag lovemarleyon July 05, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Neil Diamond said he wrote the song about Caroline Kennedy, and for me it always brought back to mind an old photograph of 4-year-old JohnJohn saluting his father's casket while Jackie and young Caroline stood grieving beside.

    Tonight CBS broadcast the Kennedy Center Awards tribute to Neil Diamond and others, and a memorable moment was Caroline Kennedy's introduction, when she described Neil Diamond as a melody maker fom Brooklyn (or the Bronx) who has since been touching me, and arms extended, touching you. Another memorable moment was Caroline dancing with Smokey Robinson and Lionel Ritchie at the end of Smokey's rendition of "Sweet Caroline" with live shoots of Niel Diamond and President Obama seemingly overwelmed in the balcony, and a bunch of Red Sox clad people in a balcony on stage pointing up singing along "So good, so good."

    I was only 4 or 5 years old when President Kennedy was assassinated, but I rememeber it, and I think Neil Diamond captured the spirit of America and especially with regards to Caroline Kennedy when he said, "Hands touching hands, reaching up, touching me, touching you"
    Flag JFKjron December 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is a great song to sing in the shower.
    On the (bu bum bummm) part I stomp.
    hahahahha.
    Flag Salmonnerdzon December 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song always kind of makes me chuckle. There was a girl I really liked named Caroline, and I made the ultimate gesture of love, that's right...A MIX CD! Anyway, this was the first song on there. We were just too different, I was a virgin, and she was a whore. So nothing came of it, except I bought her shit for like two years and never got a damn thing in return.
    Flagged TheChampion4lon June 22, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The chorus of this song brings back good memories... "Hands, touchin' hands, reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you". They don't throw those '70s parties anymore; where thirty or so people drop their clothes and pick up their drugs at the entrance.
    I wonder. Did Neil Diamond attend the same parties? I can't recall, it was always semi-dark.
    Flag Mentaton July 02, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Neil wrote this song after a show at the Forum. He was pretty drunk and driving, when he hit a kid. He got out of the bus and sure enough, he was dead. So they just took off pretty fast. 2 hours later he wrote this song.
    Flagged Kyle321Non May 26, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Yes, the person before you just mentioned it. Learn to read.
    Flag kmk_natashaon March 06, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:well, in november 2007, niel announced who caroline really is! its caroline kennedy!
    Flag bonjovibuddyon November 22, 2007   Link

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