Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ About Caroline Kennedy

Mandy @ Gone Hollywood | Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ About Caroline Kennedy - PIC

The inspiration of Neil Diamond’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ has finally come to light - it’s Caroline Kennedy.

“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.”

And he got the chance at last week’s 50th birthday party for the former president’s daughter.

Neil was inspired by a photograph he saw as a “young, broke songwriter.”

“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.”

“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.”

Neil is still working, currently recording another album. Another album? Shouldn’t this guy give it a rest already?

Source: “Neil Diamond Reveals ‘Sweet Caroline’ Inspiration” [Star Magazine]; Photo: Kennedy History