Neil Diamond @ Madison Square Garden NYC 8-14-08 Sweet Caroline

Neil Diamond held onto the secret for decades, but he has finally revealed that President Kennedy's daughter was the inspiration for his smash hit Sweet Caroline.
"I've never discussed it with anybody before — intentionally," the 66-year-old singer-songwriter told The Associated Press on Monday during a break from recording. "I thought maybe I would tell it to Caroline when I met her someday."

He got his chance last week when he performed the song via satellite at Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg's 50th birthday party.

Diamond was a "young, broke songwriter" when a photo of the president's daughter in a news magazine caught his eye.

"It was a picture of a little girl dressed to the nines in her riding gear, next to her pony," Diamond recalled. "It was such an innocent, wonderful picture, I immediately felt there was a song in there."

Years later, holed up in a hotel in Memphis, he would write the words and music in less an hour.

"It was a No. 1 record and probably is the biggest, most important song of my career, and I have to thank her for the inspiration," he said. "I'm happy to have gotten it off my chest and to have expressed it to Caroline. I thought she might be embarrassed, but she seemed to be struck by it and really, really happy."

The enduring hit recently reappeared on the singles chart, thanks in part to the Boston Red Sox. Sweet Caroline is played at every home game.

"I think they consider it good luck," Diamond said, adding that the Red Sox have become his favorite baseball team.

The tune's return to the charts leaves Diamond "speechless," he said: "That song was written 40 years ago, so I am just overwhelmed by the fact that it has returned and that, more importantly, people have taken it into their hearts for so many years."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• rock

[sulliva]

Mayor Bloomberg just announced that the R & R HOF is opening am annex in NYC. We need Bloomberg to use his influence and tell the the HOF to F@#$ off until they elect NEIL DIAMOND and then apologize for taking so slong !!!

[alomnitz]

I agree with you he deserves to be in the HOF maybe we can all email a clip of this video to Bloomberg!

[shutterbugk8]

There can ONLY be ONE Neil Diamond... ALL OTHERS WILL BE DESTROYED!!!!!!!!

Ok this vid rocked!!!!!

[2Catangel]

This looks like so much fun, wish I had been there. This man has a remarkable voice!

[NMBeauty]

This is my absolute favorite song. I grew up listening to Neil Diamond, & my parents used to play this song for me for my birthday every year (my name is Caroline). :-)

[aba2185]

i like it when big crowds sing along especially when the performer encourages it

[Super1652]

One of the best! (I think he is still the king)He is 70 Years old fantastic

Songwriter and the best Live-Conzerte

I can see him 20 June in Arena Oberhausen....so good,so good

[amirvivalavida]

j'adore Neil Diamond . Je l'ai toujours écouté et ses chansons suscitent en moi une très vive émotion . Je voudrais rentrer en contact avec ce superbe artiste.

[TOMMYTOMA4]

I love this song, thanks for posting it. we play all the Classics at

TOMA'S TIMELESS TUNES. I'D love you to stop by and give a listen. I subscribed to your channel , hope you'll do the same for me. all the best, Tommy Toma

[Sabatinitennis]

Streuth - that's some cheering by the crowd!

[loekiemorales]

No one that sings this song with the right feelings and so touchy likek Neil. Every other cover is like a 'surrogat' to me! Neil thanks for being such a great singer/performer! You are so GREAT!

[zuzanarox]

Sweet child of mine

[salsax]

Fluffers -that's BrookLYN not brookland he's from NEW YAWK - know what I mean der!!

[dao3rd123]

Great drinking song too.  ND is the BEST!