Neil Diamond Reveals Identity Of 'Caroline'

[Kor37 9]

Diamond Reveals Identity of 'Caroline'

By SANDY COHEN,AP

Posted: 2007-11-20 17:34:03

Filed Under: Music News

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 20) - 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'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, Tenn., he would write the words and music in less an hour.

 

'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond

 

Where it began

I can't begin to knowin'

But then I know it's growing strong

 

 

Was in the spring

And spring became the summer

Who'd have believed you'd come along

 

Hands, touchin' hands

Reachin' out

Touchin' me

Touchin' you

 

Sweet Caroline

Good times never seemed so good

I've been inclined

To believe they 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 shoulders

How can I hurt when I'm with you

 

Warm, touchin' warm

Reachin' out

Touchin' me

Touchin' you

 

Sweet Caroline

Good times never seemed 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

 

 

I'm not sure but.......did Neil Diamond just admit he's a pedophile?........... :P

 

 

[tags fixed-AE]

Edited November 21, 2007 by Alterego

[Gummy 0]

Ever since the Red Sox Fans started singing this during the 7th Inning Stretch at Fenway Park, I began to hate this song. :P

[He Who Shall Not Be Named 2]

Hey, you don't suppose there are similar songs out there about Amy Carter, Chelsea Clinton, or the Bush daughters do you?

[youbroughtheryouRiker 2]

Let us hope not, Van Roy. Let us hope not.

 

 

"Sweet Caroline"'s a great song though.

 

And writing about young daughters is nothing new either. "Linda" was written about a young daughter (who would grow up and marry Paul McCartney), and "Claire" by Gilbert O'Sullivan, yeah that girl was the producer's daughter, too, I believe.

[Kor37 9]

Let us hope not, Van Roy. Let us hope not.

 

 

"Sweet Caroline"'s a great song though.

 

And writing about young daughters is nothing new either. "Linda" was written about a young daughter (who would grow up and marry Paul McCartney), and "Claire" by Gilbert O'Sullivan, yeah that girl was the producer's daughter, too, I believe.

It IS a great song, I agree. However, if the song was written about Diamond's daughter, it might be ok. But he wrote this song about a 10 year old girl whom he never met. The lyrics "Hands, touchin' hands, Reachin' out, Touchin' me, Touchin' you" sounds kind of creepy in that situation.

[Stephen of Borg 2]

that's the same thing my mom said :P

 

the way I see it, just because it was inspired by someone doesn't mean that they are actually singing about that person. I like the song as well, and I think they Neil just took the name and turned it into a love song.

[Theunicornhunter 2]

It IS a great song, I agree. However, if the song was written about Diamond's daughter, it might be ok. But he wrote this song about a 10 year old girl whom he never met. The lyrics "Hands, touchin' hands, Reachin' out, Touchin' me, Touchin' you" sounds kind of creepy in that situation.

 

It sounds "creepy" in a world where everyday the newspaper has a pedophile or sexual harrassment story; but people used to know that touching another person wasn't evil. You touched them to show compassion, support or even love (brotherly or humanity type love).

 

Imagine, if a co-worker has had a death in the family - would you put your arm around that co-worker to offer them comfort? Thirty years ago you probably would - today you'd probably send a card.

 

Thirty years ago you used to kiss children, bounce them on your knee and even take pictures of naked babies in the bathtub - today people have been arrested or had their children taken away for those things.

 

That said, I think Gamera raises a good point - he may have been inspired by the picture and used the name but that doesn't mean the words of the song are acting out a fantasy. Baby Ruths were named after one of the Presidents daughters (Roosevelt I believe) - I think that was inspiration - not a desire a desire to eat chocolate covered "baby Ruths"