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Diamond Reveals Identity of 'Caroline'

By SANDY COHEN,

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

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.

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"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 now 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."

Getty Images

The woman behind Diamond's legendary sing-along.

·Meet Sharona, Peggy Sue
and More Women Behind the Songs

'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

1969 Stonebridge Music (ASCAP)

This Week in Pop Culture Aug. 4 - Aug. 10

Aug. 4, 2000: Inspired by the New York City bar of the same name, 'Coyote Ugly' opens. Not surprisingly, the film about scantily clad, beautiful women dancing on a bar takes in more than $100 million.

Touchstone Pictures

Aug. 5, 1962: Sex goddess Marilyn Monroe is found dead in her Brentwood, Calif., home, the victim of an apparent suicide.

Matty Zimmerman, AP

Aug. 5, 1964: Adam Yauch, a.k.a. MCA, a.k.a. Nathaniel Hornblower, is born in Brooklyn. At age 17 he will join the hardcore band Reagan Youth, which slowly evolves into one of the great rap acts of all time, the Beastie Boys.

Paul Natkin, Wire Image

Aug. 5, 1964: Screen beauty Anne Bancroft weds comedic genius Mel Brooks. The pair will stay together until her death from cancer in 2005.

Ron Galella, Wire Image

Aug. 6, 1972: Geraldine Estelle Halliwell is born in the small town of Watford, England. After high school, she will bum around Europe, working as a go-go dancer, a TV hostess, a barmaid, an aerobics instructor and a topless model before adopting the alter ego Ginger Spice as a member of the Spice Girls.

Dave Benett, Getty Images

Aug. 7, 2006: Police are called to the home of Paul McCartney when a security guard hears what he thinks is a burglar. The "intruder" is one of Heather Mills McCartney's bodyguards. The former model had sent him over the walls of the estate to let her in when she found that the locks had been changed.

AP / Wire Image

Aug. 7, 1974: J. Geils Band lead singer Peter Wolf marries actress Faye Dunaway in Beverly Hills, Calif., in one of the more random celebrity couplings ever.

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Aug. 7, 1975: Charlize Theron is born in South Africa. After a string of roles in largely forgettable films, she will win an Oscar for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in 'Monster.' Her newfound credibility will land her the lead in 'Aeon Flux.' Oh well ...

Peter Kramer, AP

Aug. 8, 2006: Paris Hilton is rushed to the hospital early in the morning after her pet kinkajou Baby Luv takes a bite of the heirhead. TMZ later reports that the wound is superficial, requiring only a band aid and a tetanus shot.

S Granitz, Wire Image

Aug. 8, 1966: The Beatles' crowning achievement, 'Revolver,' is released in the United States. It quickly goes to the top of the charts, where it will stay for six weeks.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-11-20 12:54:13

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1427 comments

seapup7c 01:15:08 PM May 11 2008

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look at the Picture IDIOTS Coroline Kennedy !!!!!!!!!!!

phatlady1128 06:47:24 AM Nov 27 2007

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Neil Diamond, you have lots of great music. I often talk about your music on pluscupid.com forums. Many people, especially women love your music very much.

daiseyrosebud1 11:40:07 PM Nov 26 2007

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I love Neil Diamond's Music you young people go ahead and make fun of someone who is a great singer . because maybe you wish it was you with his Talent. GROW UP young people .
A NEIL DIAMOND FAN
IN VIRGINIA

t

angellynn43 10:58:04 AM Nov 26 2007

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you people make me sick,,,,,,,,neil diamond isn't the pervert,,,,ya'll are
dirty minded,,,,gutter brained,,,,,,SHAME ON YA'LL

chlace 08:36:09 AM Nov 26 2007

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All the Carols, Carolyns and Carolines who thought Neil Diamond was singing this song for them just had the heart broken today. I'm none of those three, and my heart is broken too! I always thought that one day he would record a song with my name in it, too, so I could swoon when I heard it.

kingflann 05:51:48 AM Nov 26 2007

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neils a pedophile <ba-ba=da > but i guess that's okay with some of you twisted freaks out there who ''admire'' him???? why don't you all let him and micheal take your kids on a camping trip then. liberals are such worthless excuses for humanity!

holtknx 05:29:00 AM Nov 26 2007

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This is news? Who cares? Sounds like a crock to me

alidacreech 05:20:06 AM Nov 26 2007

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I LOVE HIM STILL AND THE BEUTIFUL SON TOO. I LOVE ANYTHING HE SINGS.
THE VOICE IS SO CALMING, TO ME ANY WAY.

alidacreech 05:20:03 AM Nov 26 2007

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I LOVE HIM STILL AND THE BEUTIFUL SON TOO. I LOVE ANYTHING HE SINGS.
THE VOICE IS SO CALMING, TO ME ANY WAY.

dac952 05:01:53 AM Nov 26 2007

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And I suppose next we will have a song dedicated to a big mouth, washed up excomedian and wan-a-be talk show host pig named CRACKLIN Rosie(O'Argue)

Jim Kucaba 04:58:45 AM Nov 26 2007

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How much of Old Joe Kennedy's Millions Did Caroline Inherit when Jackie croaked ? ... Somebody ought to be "Hitting On' her !

Mikesmith6451 04:58:00 AM Nov 26 2007

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Diamond is weird. This story makes me think he's a pedophile.

Bgif321 04:54:44 AM Nov 26 2007

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You want to know your time of death?
visit the website:tombclock. com

Gimmemoreyess 04:43:00 AM Nov 26 2007

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I admire him. I saw his profile with some photos on richsoulmate.com, where celebrities, professional athletes and wealthy singles mingle. The profile looks sincere and attractive. Maybe sometimes they really need a soul mate rather than a rich buddy. It's said some clebs have found their perfect match there.