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‘Hands washing hands’: Neil Diamond sings COVID-19 rendition of beloved ‘Sweet Caroline’

March 23, 2020 | | Print Article
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With the nay-say media putting its long-standing obsession with destroying President Donald Trump over reporting on matters that are helpful to the American people, who are in crisis as a result of the Chinese virus, COVID-19, and Democrats in Congress refusing to set aside partisan maneuvering to deliver a desperately needed portion of relief, the country could use a break.

Enter Neil Diamond.

Accompanied by his lovable dog, the legendary singer-songwriter took to Twitter to share an updated rendition of his beloved hit, “Sweet Caroline,” to reflect conditions as we know them today, thanks to the coronavirus.

Altering the lyrics ever so slightly, Diamond breaks into song as easily as he breaths, and manages to put a smile on the face of many in a time of great stress.

“I know we’re going through a rough time right now, but I love ya and I think maybe if we sing together, well, we’ll just feel a little bit better,” he said in a video. “Give it a try, OK?”

Not only does Diamond look amazing for his age, his pipes are as great as ever.

As for the lyrics, Diamond replaced “hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you” in the COVID-19 version:

“Where it began, I can’t begin to know when/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, washing hands, reachin’ out/Don’t touch me, I won’t touch you

Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good/I’ve been inclined to believe they never would, but now I

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 holding you?

Hands, washing hands, reachin’ out/Don’t touch me, I won’t touch you.”

 

This is not the only tweet from Diamond in response to the pandemic, as he shared a tweet on Saturday thanking those on the front line helping their fellow Americans, to include supermarket employees, who are doing yeoman’s work.

Diamond tweeted: “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.”

Turns out, Diamond was not the only popular singer-songwriter to share his talent in the face of a crisis to give people hope for a better tomorrow.

Jon Bon Jovi shared a video on Sunday asking followers to help him finish a song with their own experiences as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

“These are trying times we’re going through, uncharted territory, the great unknown,” he said in the video. “But one this is for sure: we’re going to make it through.”

“I did what I do best, which is to sit down with my guitar and try to put something to words for you, maybe to brighten up your day,” Bon Jovi added. “Here’s my idea: we write this one together. I’m going to give you the chorus, I’m going to give you the first verse. I’m going to play the second verse, but you tell me your story. Tell me what you are going through. Tell me how you’re feeling, tell me if you’re hurting.”

The song begins:

“Tonight they’re shutting down the borders, and they boarded up the schools/

Small towns are rolling up their sidewalks, one last paycheck coming through/

I know you’re feeling kind of nervous, we’re all a little bit confused/

Nothing’s the same, this ain’t a game, we’ve got to make it through.”

 

 

R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe also shared a video Friday in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, as he sang part of the band’s 1986 song “Underneath the Bunker.”

“I’m bunkering at home,” Stipe said. “I’m sheltering at home. I’m keeping apart. We’re together, separate. Together, separate. Together, separate. Together, separate for each other’s good. We’re keeping ourselves apart from each other for everyone’s good, so I hope that you’re doing well, I hope that your heart is good and I hope you’re feeling the love from all over the world, because it’s there. We’re all in this together and we’re gonna get through.”

With our political leaders in Washington, DC, outside of President Donald Trump, who is working tirelessly on behalf of the American people, offering little reason for feeling positive, the power of song plays an important role.

On that note, so too does having a little faith in God.

Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story from Twitter:

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