Watch Neil Diamond Perform CDC-Approved Rewrite Of "Sweet Caroline"
By Andrew Magnotta @AndrewMagnotta
March 23, 2020
Neil Diamond has offered an updated version of his classic song "Sweet Caroline," specifically for these times of quarantines and fear over the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Diamond's 1969 hit is a favorite singalong at those large gatherings we used to be allowed to have. While the song is about as wholesome as can be, the part about touching hands has fallen out of favor in this era of social distancing.
The lyrics used to go "Hands, touching hands / Reaching out / Touching me / Touching you," but now he's refreshed those lines to comply with the renewed emphasis on sanitization from the Centers for Disease Control.
Watch Diamond sing the new words below:
Stay safe out there! “Hands... washing hands..” 🎶 pic.twitter.com/QaRB1qZshp
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) March 22, 2020
"Hands, washing hands / Reaching out / Don't touch me / I won't touch you."
And so a timeless song becomes timely all over again. Hopefully we'll be able to touch hands again soon.
While Diamond retired from touring in 2018 due to Parkinson's disease, he's stayed busy with other projects, including a musical.
Photo: Getty Images
Thank you healthcare workers, first responders, supermarket employees, food service and utility workers, delivery drivers and everyone out there who is on the frontlines to keep everyone safe. We applaud you!!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #solidarityat8 #saferathome pic.twitter.com/g8COCSOiYA
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) March 22, 2020