Story behind Neil Diamond's Famous 'Sweet Caroline' Song

Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond uncovered the story behind his classic hit song "Sweet Caroline" after almost four decades.

"Sweet Caroline" was officially released on September 16, 1969, and has proven to be enduringly popular.

"I've never discussed it with anybody before - intentionally. I thought maybe I would tell it to Caroline when I met her someday."

In a 2007 interview, Diamond, 77, revealed the inspiration for the song was John F. Kennedy's daughter, Caroline, who was eleven years of age at the time it was released, as reported by The Guardian.

THE IMAGE OF A GIRL

Diamond was flipping through a magazine at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee years before he composed the tune. One photo left him speechless.

The award-winning singer said: "It was a picture of a little girl dressed to the nines in her riding gear, next to her pony. It was such an innocent, wonderful picture, I immediately felt there was a song in there."

A few more years later, Diamond decided to write "Sweet Caroline" inspired by the sweet picture that never left his mind. It turned into a hit, reviving his flagging career.

THE INSPIRATION OF THE SONG

Many people asked Diamond about the source of his inspiration, but he never revealed. It wasn't until the point when he met the now Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg in 2007 that he would finally reveal his secret to the press.

"I've never discussed it with anybody before - intentionally. I thought maybe I would tell it to Caroline when I met her someday," Diamond told Associated Press.

"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."

Last year, Diamond put on a small private concert for Colorado firefighters, where he performed "Sweet Caroline."

The video posted on Facebook shows the firefighters sitting in awe as they watch the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer strum the acoustic guitar.

Diamond is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide.