View source for Sweet Caroline

{{Short description|1969 single by Neil Diamond}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{other uses}}
{{Infobox song
| name       = Sweet Caroline
| cover      = Sweet Caroline cover.jpg
| alt        = 
| type       = single
| artist     = [[Neil Diamond]]
| album      = [[Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show]]
| B-side     = Dig In
| released   = May 28, 1969<!-- See [[Talk:Sweet_Caroline#Release_date]] -->
| recorded   =
| studio     = [[American Sound Studio|American Sound]] ([[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]])
| genre      = [[Soft rock]]<ref>{{cite news|first= Patrick |last= Ryan |title= Neil Diamond's 'Freedom Song' will ring out |date= July 3, 2013 |newspaper= [[USA Today]] |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2013/07/02/neil-diamond-freedom-song-fourth-of-july/2479845/ |access-date= June 2, 2015}}</ref>
| length     = 3:21 (LP Version)<br/>2:51 (Single Edit)
| label      = [[Uni Records|Uni]]/[[MCA Records|MCA]]
| writer     = Neil Diamond
| producer   = * [[Tommy Cogbill]]
* Neil Diamond
* [[Tom Catalano]]
| prev_title = [[Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show (song)|Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show]]
| prev_year  = 1969
| next_title = [[Holly Holy]]
| next_year  = 1969
}}
"'''Sweet Caroline'''" (also known as "'''Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)'''") is a song written and performed by American singer [[Neil Diamond]] and released as a [[Single (music)|single]] in May 1969. It was arranged by [[Charles Calello]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlescalello.com/Hit_Records.htm|first=Charles|last=Calello|title=Calello's Billboard Magazine Top 100|access-date=June 13, 2015|archive-date=February 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223213336/http://www.charlescalello.com/Hit_Records.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and recorded at [[American Sound Studio]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].

==Inspiration==
Neil Diamond has provided different explanations for the song's origins. In a 2007 interview, he stated the inspiration for the song was [[John F. Kennedy]]'s daughter [[Caroline Kennedy]], who was 11 years old at the time it was released.<ref name="guard">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/usa/story/0,,2214419,00.html |title =Neil Diamond reveals secret of Sweet Caroline |access-date=June 13, 2015 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |first=Dan |last=Glaister |location=London |date=November 21, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2007/11/21/sweet_caroline_revealed/ |title= 'Sweet Caroline' revealed |access-date=March 15, 2008 |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |first1=Carol |last1=Beggy |first2=Mark |last2=Shanahan |date=November 21, 2007}}</ref> Diamond sang the song for her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/20/AR2007112000598_pf.html | title = Diamond Reveals 'Caroline' Inspiration |agency=Associated Press |date=November 20, 2007 |first=Sandy |last= Cohen |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref> On December 21, 2011, in an interview on [[CBS]]'s ''[[The Early Show]]'', Diamond said that a magazine cover photo of Caroline Kennedy as a young child on a horse<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2007/11/photo_hulton_archivegetty_imag.html|title=Neil Diamond Reveals the Cute, Pervy Roots of 'Sweet Caroline'|website=Intelligencer|date=November 21, 2007 }}</ref> with her parents John F. Kennedy and [[Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis|Jacqueline Kennedy]] created an image in his mind, and the rest of the song came together about five years after seeing the picture.<ref name=CNN2017>{{cite news |last=Respers |first=Lisa |url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/20/showbiz/music/neil-diamond-sweet-caroline/ |title=Neil Diamond reveals story behind 'Sweet Caroline' |work=CNN |date=October 20, 2014 |access-date=January 10, 2017}}</ref> However, in 2014, Diamond said the song was about his then-wife Marcia Murphey, but he needed a three-syllable name to fit the melody.<ref name=CNN2017/>

==Performance==

The song reached No. 4 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart in the week ending August 16, 1969,<ref>[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]], [https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1969-08-16 Hot 100], August 16, 1969</ref> and was certified [[Music recording sales certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] on August 18, 1969, for sales of one million singles.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=&ti=sweet+caroline&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |title=Gold & Platinum |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=www.riaa.com |publisher=RIAA |access-date=January 8, 2018 }}</ref> "Sweet Caroline" was also the first of Diamond's 58 entries on the US [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Easy Listening]] chart, peaking at No. 3.<ref>{{cite book |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2002 |publisher=Record Research |page=78}}</ref>

In the autumn of 1969, Diamond performed "Sweet Caroline" on several television shows. It later reached No. 8 on the [[UK singles chart|UK Singles Chart]] in March 1971.

In July 2021, "Sweet Caroline" re-entered the UK Singles Chart again 50 years after its first UK release, following its use by England supporters during [[UEFA Euro 2020|Euro 2020]]. It re-entered the chart at No. 48 on the week ending July 15 and a week later it rose to No. 20.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/sweet-caroline/|title=Sweet caroline &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=[[OfficialCharts.com]]}}</ref>

==Critical reception==
''[[Cash Box]]'' called the song "sensational", highlighting the fact that Diamond's "material and production sound take on a completely different dimension in this love [[Sentimental ballad|ballad]] which maintains a warm glow throughout with occasional surges of strength".<ref>{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=June 14, 1969|page=20|accessdate=2021-12-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1969/CB-1969-06-14.pdf|newspaper=Cash Box}}</ref> ''[[Record World]]'' said that "Neil Diamond stirs rich excitement with this voluptuous new 'Sweet Caroline'."<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Single Picks of the Week|magazine=Record World|date=June 14, 1969|page=1|accessdate=2023-05-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/69/RW-1969-06-14.pdf}}</ref> ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "hard hitting love ballad" with "exceptional production and vocal workout".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Spotlight Singles|magazine=Billboard|date=June 14, 1969|page=84|accessdate=2023-05-08|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1969/BB-1969-06-14.pdf}}</ref> The song has proven to be enduringly popular and, as of November 2014, has sold over two million [[music download|digital downloads]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Appel |first=Rich |date=November 26, 2014 |title=Revisionist History, Part 5: Bon Jovi's 'Prayer' Answered, 'Caroline' Is Sweeter Than 'Sugar' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/revisionist-history-part-5-bon-jovis-prayer-answered-caroline-is/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>

==Chart history==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1969)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|Australia ([[Kent Music Report|KMR]])
| style="text-align:center;"|3
|-
{{Singlechart|Canadaadultcontemporary|2|artist=Neil Diamond|song=Sweet Caroline|chartid=6011|access-date=April 4, 2017}}
|-
{{Singlechart|Canadatopsingles|3|artist=Neil Diamond|song=Sweet Caroline|chartid=6010|access-date=April 4, 2017}}
|-
|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio|Springbok]])<ref>{{cite web|title=SA Charts 1965–March 1989|url=http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(D).html|access-date=September 5, 2018}}</ref>
|align="center"|7
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|4|artist=Neil Diamond  |access-date=June 15, 2018}}
|-
{{Singlechart|Billboardadultcontemporary|3|artist=Neil Diamond|song=Sweet Caroline|access-date=June 15, 2018}}
|-
|US [[Cash Box (magazine)|''Cash Box'']] Top 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19690830.html|title=Cash Box Top 100 8/30/69|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085311/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/19690830.html|archive-date=October 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|align="center"|3
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1971)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|{{singlechart|Ireland2|9|song=Sweet Caroline|access-date=June 22, 2017}}
|-
{{single chart|Dutch100|16|artist=Neil Diamond|song=Sweet Caroline}}
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|8|artist=Neil Diamond|artistid=28078}}
|-
{{single chart|Germany|37|artist=Neil Diamond|song=Sweet Caroline|songid=20468|year=1971}}
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!align="left"|Chart (2008)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|63|artist=Neil Diamond|artistid=28078}}
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!align="left"|Chart (2021)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|20|artist=Neil Diamond|artistid=28078}}<ref name="auto"/>
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!align="left"|Chart (2022)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|89|artist=Neil Diamond|artistid=28078}}
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!align="left"|Chart (2024)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|44|artist=Neil Diamond|artistid=28078}}
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1969)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Canada Top Singles (''RPM'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6104&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6104.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6104|title=RPM Top Singles of 1969|access-date=December 24, 2017|publisher=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]|website=[[Library and Archives Canada]]|date=July 17, 2013}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|37
|-
|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1969.htm|title=Top 100 Hits of 1969/Top 100 Songs of 1969|website=www.musicoutfitters.com}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|22
|-
|US ''Cash Box'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1969YESP.html|title=Cash Box YE Pop Singles - 1969|website=tropicalglen.com|access-date=October 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125055422/http://tropicalglen.com/Archives/60s_files/1969YESP.html|archive-date=January 25, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|26
|-
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|award=Gold|certyear=2024|id=14028|access-date=June 28, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|type=single|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|award=Gold|relyear=1970|certyear=2025|access-date=May 30, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|award=Platinum|number=5|source=radioscope|certyear=2025|id=2025-01-30}}
{{Certification Table Entry |region=Spain|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1970|certyear=2024|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|accessdate=October 1, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=2004|certyear=2024|id=12921-887-1|note=since 2004|access-date=April 3, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Neil Diamond|title=Sweet Caroline|award=Platinum|relyear=1970|certyear=1994|access-date=June 16, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Ben E. King|title=Stand By Me|nocert=true|salesamount=2,456,102|note=digital sales|salesref=<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-14-17.pdf|title=Nielsen SoundScan charts – Digital Songs – Week Ending: 09/14/2017|work=[[Nielsen SoundScan]]|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919211714/http://www.defjampromo.com/files/2009/10/BB-Digital-Songs-Chart-Wk.-Ending-9-14-17.pdf|archive-date=September 19, 2017}}</ref>}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}

==Alternative versions==
There are three distinct mixes of this song. In the original mono 45 mix, the orchestra and [[glockenspiel]] are more prominent than in the stereo version on the ''[[Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show]]'' LP. The third version was a remix found only on the initial CD release of Diamond's 1974 compilation ''[[His 12 Greatest Hits]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://home.netcom.com/~zmoq/pages/ndalbum4.htm |title=Neil Diamond Album Overview Part 4: 1981-2003 The Compilation-Mania Years |access-date=June 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030060740/http://home.netcom.com/~zmoq/pages/ndalbum4.htm |archive-date=October 30, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This version has the orchestra mixed down and has the background vocals mixed up. It has a longer fade as well. A live version of the song is on his 1972 ''[[Hot August Night]]'' LP.

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Diamond changed some of the lyrics to "Hands ... washing hands ... don't touch me ... I won't touch you."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.journalnow.com/news/national/if-you-dont-laugh-you-cry-coping-with-virus-through-humor/article_2be1bdb2-2aab-51fd-b4d6-0b841910365e.html|title=If you don't laugh, you cry: Coping with virus through humor|last=Kole|first=William J.|work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=March 27, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Use at sporting events==
{{overly detailed|section|date=June 2025}}
===United States===
The [[National Football League]]'s [[Carolina Panthers]] have played the song as a victory song at all home games since 1996. In 2020, the Panthers played the song to an empty [[Bank of America Stadium]] in honor of all front-line workers in the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Irish pub bans singing Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' |url=https://nypost.com/2020/08/03/irish-pub-bans-singing-neil-diamonds-sweet-caroline/ |website=2023-06-13|date=August 3, 2020 }}</ref>

The song has been played at [[Fenway Park]], home of [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[Boston Red Sox]], since at least 1997<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.mlb.com/news/fenway%2Dparks%2Danthem%2Dstarted%2Dinnocuously/c%2D45075964 | title = Fenway Park's anthem started innocuously | first = Ian | last = Browne | website = MLB.com | date = April 17, 2013 | access-date = April 20, 2016 | archive-date = February 25, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210225142926/https://www.mlb.com/news/fenway-parks-anthem-started-innocuously/c-45075964 | url-status = dead }}</ref> and in the middle of the eighth inning at every game since 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/05/29/another_mystery_of_the_diamond_explained_at_last/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=Another mystery of the Diamond, explained at last | date=May 29, 2005 | first1=Stephanie | last1=Vosk}}</ref> On opening night of the 2010 season at Fenway Park, the song was performed live by Diamond himself.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://nesn.com/2010/04/reports-neil-diamond-to-sing-sweet-caroline-live-at-fenway-park/|title=Neil Diamond Sings 'Sweet Caroline' Live at Fenway Park|first=Adam|last=Hirschfield|date=April 4, 2010|access-date=January 6, 2019|work=NESN}}</ref> Several days after the [[Boston Marathon bombing]] in April 2013, Neil Diamond led the crowd at Fenway Park in a rendition of the song.<ref name="cbs2013">{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Dayn |title=Neil Diamond sang at Fenway . . . uninvited |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/neil-diamond-sang-at-fenway----uninvited/ |access-date=September 8, 2019 |work=CBS Sports |date=April 20, 2013}}</ref> The [[New York Yankees]], the longtime [[Yankees-Red Sox rivalry|rivals]], showed their support for the city by playing the song over [[Yankee Stadium]]'s loudspeakers the day after the incident.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marchand |first=Andrew |title=Yankees extend support to Boston |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9180099/new-york-yankees-play-sweet-caroline-yankee-stadium-honor-boston-marathon-victims |access-date=August 1, 2012 |newspaper=ESPN |date=November 9, 2012}}</ref>  Sales of the song surged nearly 600 percent in the week after the bombings, to 19,000 copies, up from 2,800 the week before.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/neil-diamond-donate-sweet-caroline-446537|title=Neil Diamond to Donate 'Sweet Caroline' Royalties to Boston Charity|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref> Diamond said that he would donate his royalties from those sales to the One Fund Boston charity to help the people affected by the bombings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/neil-diamond-to-donate-sweet-caroline-royalties-to-boston-bombing-charity/|title=Neil Diamond to Donate 'Sweet Caroline' Royalties to Boston Bombing Charity|work=The New York Times|first=James C. |last=McKinley Jr|date=April 25, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2013}}</ref>

The [[Iowa State Cyclones]] have used "Sweet Caroline" as a football victory song since 2006.<ref name="Des Moines Register">{{cite news|last1=Leimkuehler|first1=Matthew|title=How Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline' became Iowa State's inescapable celebration song|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/09/07/sweet-caroline-iowa-state-cyclones-athletics-football-basketball-neil-diamond-cyhawk-boston-redsox/1211156002/|work=Des Moines Register|date=September 7, 2018}}</ref>

Since 2008, the [[University of Pittsburgh]] has used "Sweet Caroline" as an unofficial school sing-along song by inserting "Let's Go Pitt!" over the instrumental three-beat "Ba Ba Ba"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genius.com/Sofia-carson-sweet-caroline-lyrics | title = Sweet Caroline lyrics by Sofia Carson}}</ref> interval after the title refrain and replacing the repeated phrase (often added by fans, although not in the original recording) "So good" with "Go Pitt!"<ref>{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U5B3DQAAQBAJ&pg=PT244|title=So You Think You Know Rock and Roll?: An In-Depth Q&A Tour of the Revolutionary Decade 1965–1975|first=Peter E.|last=Meltzer|chapter=Politicians Honoring the Music (State Songs- Rock, Official, Unofficial and Otherwise)|year=2017|publisher=Skyhorse Publishing|location=New York, NY|page=244|isbn=978-1-510-71766-4|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/6d5d1f9d07a64c0486050955cf29a861/Pitt-to-play-%27Sweet-Caroline%27-at-specific-point-of-games|title=Pitt to play 'Sweet Caroline' at specific point of games|newspaper=Associated Press|date=August 25, 2019|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://archive.triblive.com/sports/college/pitt/sweet-caroline-at-pitt-football-games-on-the-move-2/|title='Sweet Caroline' at Pitt football games on the move|first=Jerry|last=Dipaola|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> The song started as a rallying anthem played between the third and fourth quarters of [[Pittsburgh Panthers football]] games,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://pittnews.com/article/4019/arts-and-entertainment/sweet-caroline-a-history-of-pitts-sing-along-tradition/|title=Sweet Caroline: A history of Pitt's sing-along tradition|first=Abby|last=Hoffman|newspaper=The Pitt News|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pittnews.com/article/136067/sports/the-story-behind-sweet-caroline-at-pitt/|title=Touching me, touching you: The story behind 'Sweet Caroline' at Pitt|first=Tessa|last=Sayers|newspaper=The Pitt News|date=October 14, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> but has been adopted for use during other university sports contests, alumni events, and student ceremonies, including graduation commencement ceremonies,<ref name="Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010">{{cite web | title=How 'Sweet Caroline' became the Pitt fans' singalong | website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | date=2010-11-26 | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/Pitt/2010/11/26/How-Sweet-Caroline-became-the-Pitt-fans-singalong/stories/201011260183 | access-date=2020-05-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alumni.pitt.edu/s/1729/alumni/news/landing.aspx?pgid=2747&gid=2&cid=4697|title=Pitt Fans, Sing Along with Coronavirus-inspired Version of "Sweet Caroline"|publisher=Pitt Alumni Association|year=2020|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> and references to the song have appeared on various school merchandise.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/500462577311198913/|title=Pitt Panthers Apparel - Shop University of Pittsburgh Gear, Panthers Merchandise, Store|publisher=Fanatics.com Pintrest|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>  However, Pitt's arch-rival, West Virginia University, "adapts" the song for their own purposes to troll Pitt, even when Pitt is not the opponent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bluegoldsports.com/2023/09/12/breaking-down-wvu-fan-traditions-ahead-of-the-backyard-brawl|website=BlueGoldSports |title=Breaking down WVU fan traditions ahead of the Backyard Brawl |first=Korey |last=Moore | date=September 12, 2023 | access-date=March 23, 2024}}</ref>

"Sweet Caroline" is sometimes part of the regular rotation of songs during sports events at other universities, including the [[University of North Carolina]].
Out of a speculated concern with the song's lyrics in the wake of the [[Penn State child sex abuse scandal]], the university removed the song from the rotation of music played at [[Penn State Nittany Lions football|football]] games prior to the 2012 season.<ref>{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Lauren |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2012/08/27/penn-state-reminds-sweet-caroline-kind-creepy/ |title=Penn State Kills 'Sweet Caroline' |work=Boston Magazine |date=2012-08-27 |access-date=2016-10-02 |archive-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802093416/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2012/08/27/penn-state-reminds-sweet-caroline-kind-creepy/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/28/no-sweet-caroline-at-penn-state-games-no-public-allowed-in-most-athletic-facilities/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902033705/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/08/28/no-sweet-caroline-at-penn-state-games-no-public-allowed-in-most-athletic-facilities/|title=No 'Sweet Caroline' at Penn State games, no public allowed in most athletic facilities – This Just In |publisher=CNN.com Blogs |date=August 27, 2020 |access-date=2016-10-02|archive-date=September 2, 2019}}</ref> However, performances resumed to loud renditions at [[Pennsylvania State University|Penn State]] football games in September 2013.<ref name=restart>{{cite web|last=Horne |first=Kevin |url=https://onwardstate.com/2013/09/23/sweet-caroline-returns-to-beaver-stadium/ |title=Sweet Caroline Returns to Beaver Stadium |publisher=Onward State |date=2013-09-23 |access-date=2016-10-24}}</ref>

On February 22, 2020, newly crowned [[World Boxing Council|WBC]] and ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' heavyweight world champion [[Tyson Fury]] sang the song live in the ring at the [[MGM Grand Garden Arena]] in Las Vegas to celebrate his [[Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury II|knockout victory against Deontay Wilder]] following the conclusion of their rematch.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-02-24|title=Tyson Fury celebrates beating Deontay Wilder: in pictures|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2020/02/24/tyson-fury-celebrates-beating-deontay-wilder-pictures/tyson-fury-sang-crowd-time-selecting-sweet-caroline/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2020/02/24/tyson-fury-celebrates-beating-deontay-wilder-pictures/tyson-fury-sang-crowd-time-selecting-sweet-caroline/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-02|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Fury had also previously sung "Sweet Caroline" at a press conference ahead of his fight against [[Francesco Pianeta]] in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sherrard|first=Chris|date=2018-08-14|title=Watch as Tyson Fury bursts into song at Belfast press conference|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/boxing/watch-tyson-fury-bursts-song-15029003|access-date=2021-07-02|website=BelfastLive|language=en}}</ref>

=== Canada ===
The song is used at the [[Ontario Hockey League]]'s [[Erie Otters]] home games, where fans replace the "bum, bum, bum" with "London sucks!" in reference to the rival [[London Knights]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stubbs|first=Mike|date=November 24, 2019|title=Dylan Myskiw's first OHL shutout gives the London Knights their fourth-straight win|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6206454/london-knights-dylan-myskiw-shutout/|website=[[Global News]]}}</ref>
The [[National Hockey League]] [[Vancouver Canucks]] regularly play this song at [[Rogers Arena]], their home rink, during 3rd-period stoppages in play to energize the home crowd.

===United Kingdom===
Fans of the [[Northern Ireland national football team]] adopted the song as an anthem after it was played in the post-match stadium celebrations after defeating [[England national football team|England]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/people/green-and-white-army-reclaims-new-england-anthem-sweet-caroline-3298696 |title=Green and White Army reclaims 'new England anthem' Sweet Caroline |first=Mark |last=Rainey |work=News Letter |date=6 July 2021 |access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref> The song has been used at home games ever since.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMAF7eiQSXk "Northern Ireland fans sing 'Sweet Caroline' at Ukraine match"]. YouTube.</ref> Northern Irish darts player [[Daryl Gurney]] began using the song as his walk-on song in 2015 for [[Professional Darts Corporation]] events, in tribute to the football team.<ref>{{cite news |last=James |first=Laure |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/darts-star-daryl-gurney-sacrifices-christmas-with-family-to-bring-world-title-to-northern-ireland-34305978.html |title=Darts star Daryl Gurney sacrifices Christmas with family to bring world title to Northern Ireland |work=[[Belfast telegraph]] |date=22 December 2015 |access-date=15 October 2021}}</ref>

On June 29, 2021, at the round of 16 of the [[UEFA Euro 2020 knockout phase|UEFA Euro 2020]], after the [[England national football team]] won 2–0 against [[Germany national football team|Germany]], England supporters who were present at [[Wembley Stadium]] remained and sang the song after the match. The team manager, [[Gareth Southgate]], remarked "So, to be able to send them home feeling as they do tonight, to hear them at the end&nbsp;... I mean, you can't beat a bit of 'Sweet Caroline', can you? That's a belter, really."<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Sean |date=2021-06-30|title=Kane speechless and Rice has goosebumps as England fans belt out Sweet Caroline|url=https://talksport.com/football/904289/harry-kane-declan-rice-england-fans-three-lions-sweet-caroline-euro-2020-germany/|access-date=2021-06-30|website=talkSport}}</ref> During post-match interviews, the team captain, [[Harry Kane]], was visibly moved as he paused to listen to the singing crowd, remarking: "Yeah, it's special. I'm speechless, I don't know what to say."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-30|title=How did Sweet Caroline become a favourite among England football fans?|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2021-06-30/how-did-sweet-caroline-become-a-favourite-among-england-fans |access-date=2021-06-30|website=ITV News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-08-01|title=Good times never seemed so good! How Sweet Caroline became the sound of sporting success |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/aug/01/sweet-caroline-sound-of-sporting-success-womens-euro-2022|access-date=2022-08-08|website=The Guardian}}</ref> After their 2–1 semi-final win against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]], the England players led the crowd through a rendition of the song.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 8, 2021 |url=https://talksport.com/football/908618/england-sweet-caroline-wembley-fans-celebrations-euro-2020/|title=Sweet Caroline, dancing in street - How England fans celebrated win over Denmark|access-date=July 8, 2021|website=talkSport}}</ref>

The song was subsequently adopted by the [[England women's national football team|England women's football team]] on their run to victory in [[UEFA Women's Euro 2022|Euro 2022]], being played in the stadiums after each game as England won;<ref>{{Cite news|title=Why do England fans sing the song Sweet Caroline?|website=BBC Newsround|date=2022-08-01 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/62340201|access-date=2022-08-01}}</ref> [[Chloe Kelly]], who scored the winning goal in the final, was being interviewed pitch side after the win but ran off with the microphone when the song started playing to sing along with the team.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Elizabeth|date=2022-07-31|title=Moment England hero Chloe Kelly ditches mic mid-interview to sing Sweet Caroline|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brilliant-moment-england-football-hero-24636120|access-date=2022-08-01|website=WalesOnline}}</ref>

[[Reading F.C.|Reading]] started using the song as requested by the players in their first season in the Premiership for the 2006/07 season. According to former player [[Glenn Little]], this was selected as part of a celebration of their record-winning 106-point Championship season. However, it was not until 2015, when Little suggested it should be re-established, that it became a fan favourite.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2015/march/sweet-caroline-back-at-glen-littles-request/|date=10 March 2015|title=Sweet Caroline back at Glen Little's request|publisher=Reading F.C.}}</ref> The song was later adopted by supporters of [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] during their Championship game against [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] in February 2019, as they battled from an early deficit to obtain a draw. After the game, Aston Villa had 12-game unbeaten run, which enabled them to reach the [[2019 English Football League play-offs]]. Subsequently, they continued to sing the song after they won a pivotal penalty shootout at their cross-city rivals [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], before eventually winning the play-offs and winning promotion to the [[Premier League]] for the [[2019–20 Premier League|2019–20 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kendrick|first=Mat|date=2020-04-21|title='Why shouldn't it?' – Aston Villa fans love Sweet Caroline |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-love-sweet-caroline-18122983|access-date=2021-06-30|website=BirminghamLive}}</ref> The club players had later continued their strong association with the song, and sang the song within their dressing room, after a pivotal draw at their final match of the season, to narrowly escape relegation from the Premier League by only one point.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wittenberg|first=Daniel|date=2020-07-26|title=Prince William sends message to Aston Villa after Premier League great escape|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/prince-william-sends-message-aston-22420473|access-date=2021-06-30|website=The Mirror}}</ref>

For [[cricket in England]], the home crowd at [[Lord's]], along with the players of the [[England cricket team]], sang the song after their [[2019 Cricket World Cup Final|boundary count win at the Final]] of the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=England win World Cup: Inside team's journey to top of world|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/48993745|date=16 July 2019|access-date=2021-06-30}}</ref>

The song was played in [[Arthur Ashe Stadium]] after British tennis player [[Emma Raducanu]] won the [[2021 US Open – Women's singles final|2021 US Open Women's singles final]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-12|title=Raducanu belts out Sweet Caroline with fans after historic US Open victory|url=https://talksport.com/sport/tennis/942133/emma-raducanu-sweet-caroline-us-open-victory-tennis/|access-date=2022-08-01|website=talkSPORT}}</ref>

On November 15, 2021, the [[Swiss national football team]] sang the song after a 4–0 win against [[Bulgaria]] in honor to the [[Northern Ireland national football team]], who drew against the [[Italy national football team]], thus permitting the Swiss to qualify directly to the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].

The song is also played before the main event of Matchroom Sports boxing cards in the UK and sometimes overseas.

===Mexico===
The song is also played at the [[Algodoneros de Unión Laguna]] stadium whenever the team wins a match, considered as a victory song for the locals. Remixes of the song are also played there at important events, accompanied by fireworks.

===Switzerland===
The song was played at the [[St. Jakob-Park]] in [[Basel]], [[Switzerland]] when the [[UEFA Women's Euro 2025 final|final]] of [[UEFA Women's Euro 2025]] was concluded with a victory for the [[England women's national football team|English side]] against [[Spain women's national football team|Spain]].<ref>{{cite news
 | title       = Englanti voitti EM-kultaa
 | trans-title = ‘England won Gold in European Championships’
 | first       = Eemil
 | last        = Untamala
 | url         = https://www.hs.fi/urheilu/art-2000011390394.html
 | newspaper   = Helsingin Sanomat
 | publisher   = Sanoma
 | location    = Helsinki
 | date        = 28 July 2025
 | page        = A 31
 | accessdate  = 29 July 2025
 | language    = fi
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web 
 | url        = https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/27/sport/england-spain-womens-euro-2025-final-spt
 | title      = England beats Spain on penalties to win Women's Euro 2025 final
 | last       = Barton
 | first      = Jamie
 | date       = 28 July 2025
 | work       = cnn.com
 | publisher  = CNN
 | accessdate = 29 July 2025
 | language   = en
}}</ref>

===Mixed martial arts===
[[UFC]] middleweight fighter [[Darren Till]] has adopted the song as his entrance music beginning at [[UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Till]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joe.co.uk/sport/darren-till-explains-choice-of-walkout-music-in-deafening-echo-arena-180993/|title=Darren Till explains choice of walkout music in deafening Echo Arena|date=2018-05-28|first=Darragh |last=Murphy|work=Joe|access-date=12 July 2021}}</ref>

==Personnel==
* [[Neil Diamond]] – vocals, acoustic guitar
* [[Charles Calello]] – string, horn and vocal arrangements
* [[The Memphis Boys]] – other instrumentation
** [[Gene Chrisman]] – drums
** [[Tommy Cogbill]] – bass guitar
** [[Bobby Emmons]] – keyboards   
** [[Reggie Young]] – electric guitar

==Legacy==
In 2019, "Sweet Caroline" was selected by the [[Library of Congress]] for preservation in the [[National Recording Registry]] for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Travis M. |date=March 20, 2019 |title=Jay-Z, a speech by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and 'Schoolhouse Rock!' among recordings deemed classics by Library of Congress |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/jay-z-a-speech-by-sen-robert-f-kennedy-and-schoolhouse-rock-among-recordings-deemed-classics-by-library-of-congress/2019/03/19/f7eb08ea-4a58-11e9-9663-00ac73f49662_story.html?|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=March 25, 2019}}</ref> In 2020 the song was inducted into the [[Grammy Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#s|title=GRAMMY Hall Of Fame &#124; Hall of Fame Artists &#124; GRAMMY.com|website=grammy.com}}</ref>

==DJ Ötzi version==
Austrian singer [[DJ Ötzi]] released a version of the song in 2009 through [[Universal Music Group|UMG]]. His version reached number 19 on the German singles chart, staying for 18 weeks in the German charts. It also peaked at number 18 on the Austrian charts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/search.asp?todo=notfound|title=Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal|website=austriancharts.at}}</ref> The song was also included on his album ''Hotel Engel (Gold Edition)''.

===Track listings===
;CD single
#"Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
#"Sweet Caroline" (DJ mix) - 3:46
 		 	 
;2009 Limited Edition CD single
#"Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
#Exclusive Bonus Video (Gerry Friedle: Mein Leben mit DJ Ötzi) - 19:04
 		 	 
;2010 CD single
#"Sweet Caroline" (single version) - 3:37
#"Sweet Caroline" (Euro 2010 Magic Moments version) - 3:46

===Charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (2009-2010)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|{{single chart|Austria|18|artist=DJ ÖTZI|song=Sweet Caroline|rowheader=true}}
|-
|Germany ([[Official German Charts]])
| style="text-align:center;"|19
|}

==Other versions==
In 2001, a version by [[Dustin the Turkey]] for the compilation ''Dustin's Greatest Hits'' reached No. 1 on the [[Irish Singles Chart]], the character's sixth Irish number one.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/lifestyle/retro-irish-top-ten-its-25-years-since-dustin-the-turkey-reached-number-one-with-32-counties/a1936033899.html|title=Retro Irish Top Ten: It's 25 years since Dustin the Turkey reached number one with "32 Counties"|date=November 20, 2024|website=Irish Independent}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_rrSO140fc&t=6s England vs Germany Euro 2020 at Wembley. Sweet Caroline after the final whistle]
* {{YouTube|GmK5_lnQUbE|Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline}}
* [https://genius.com/Neil-diamond-sweet-caroline-lyrics Lyrics] at [[Genius (website)|Genius]]<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->

{{Neil Diamond singles}}
{{Boston Red Sox}}
{{Carolina Panthers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet Caroline}}
[[Category:1969 songs]]
[[Category:1969 singles]]
[[Category:1960s ballads]]
[[Category:1971 singles]]
[[Category:2001 singles]]
[[Category:2009 singles]]
[[Category:Neil Diamond songs]]
[[Category:DJ Ötzi songs]]
[[Category:Dustin the Turkey songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Neil Diamond]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Chips Moman]]
[[Category:Irish Singles Chart number-one singles]]
[[Category:Association football songs and chants]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox]]
[[Category:Carolina Panthers]]
[[Category:Uni Records singles]]
[[Category:MCA Records singles]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Tom Catalano]]
[[Category:Baseball songs and chants]]
[[Category:Football songs and chants]]
[[Category:England national football team songs]]
[[Category:Culture of Boston]]
[[Category:Rock ballads]]