Neil Diamond Reveals The Inspiration For Song 'Sweet Caroline' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-20-2007, 10:56 PM

LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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.''

Diamond is currently at work on a new album, his second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. ''We're both very excited about it,'' Diamond said. ''I think it's going to be one of my best ever.''

catlover79 · 11-21-2007, 12:50 AM

Interesting story!!

OH Nuts! · 11-21-2007, 07:48 PM

Thank you for this very interesting and nice story. I like Neil's music and it was nice to learn this.

Ireneparalegal · 11-21-2007, 08:05 PM

I love to read things like this. Glad to know there was a story behind such a beautiful song.

Janice · 11-22-2007, 10:27 PM

Am the only one who thinks that the lyrics to 'Sweet Caroline' are too romantic to be inspired by a little girl? Me thinks that Neil Diamond is full of it.

catlover79 · 11-23-2007, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Am the only one who thinks that the lyrics to 'Sweet Caroline' are too romantic to be inspired by a little girl? Me thinks that Neil Diamond is full of it.

Janice · 11-23-2007, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I wonder if Cracklin’ Rosie is about O’Donnell?

catlover79 · 11-23-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I wonder if Cracklin’ Rosie is about O’Donnell?

Change it to CACKLIN' Rosie and it would fit as well.

Or how about Red Red Winehouse??

Ireneparalegal · 11-23-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Change it to CACKLIN' Rosie and it would fit as well.

Or how about Red Red Winehouse??

I am still waiting for Carly Simon to reveal her inspiration for YOU'RE SO VAIN. It is supposedly Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty or some other fool (can't remember who). She has revealed certain letters from the guy's name, but the letters still don't help as those letters are in all three gentlemens' name.

11-20-2007, 10:56 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Neil Diamond Reveals The Inspiration For Song 'Sweet Caroline' LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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.'' Diamond is currently at work on a new album, his second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. ''We're both very excited about it,'' Diamond said. ''I think it's going to be one of my best ever.''
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11-21-2007, 12:50 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Interesting story!!
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11-21-2007, 08:05 PM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	I love to read things like this. Glad to know there was a story behind such a beautiful song.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

11-21-2007, 07:48 PM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Thank you for this very interesting and nice story. I like Neil's music and it was nice to learn this.

11-22-2007, 10:27 PM	#5
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Am the only one who thinks that the lyrics to 'Sweet Caroline' are too romantic to be inspired by a little girl? Me thinks that Neil Diamond is full of it.