I Look at the night/
And it don’t seem so lonely.
Few songs are as feel good as Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. It is hard to feel sad while this song is playing. There is something about the happy feel of the song along with singing about meeting a woman that has never made you feel so good. That is a recipe for happiness, I guess.
The lyrics tell a story of a burgeoning love, an unexpected love. The narrator sounds surprised and in a really good mental space. Isn’t new love fantastic? The things that seemed to bother him no longer concern him as long as Caroline is around. I think “Caroline” would be a good thing to name your kid. You get automatic good vibes associated just from this song. (Though I wonder if people named Caroline grow to hate this song?)
“Caroline” sounds simple, but it has a lot of nuance. Take the intro, for example. The choice of horns in 1969 seems like a bizarre choice, but it is clearly the right one. The orchestration is unique. There really is a lot going on under the vocals. Diamond’s vocals don’t get mentioned enough. They are great. His voice sounds raw on the record—like it was the 50th take. The song does not require a dynamic vocal range, so it requires someone with a unique voice to pull it off. It is a great sing-along.
Sweet Caroline Lyrics
Where it began, I can’t begin to knowing.
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, touching hands,
Reaching out, touching me, touching 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 filled it up with only two.
And when I hurt,
Hurting runs off my shoulders.
How can I hurt when holding you.
One, touching one,
Reaching out, touching me, touching 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.
Sweet Caroline,
I believe they never could.
Sweet Caroline,
Good times never seemed so good.
Written by Neil Diamond