Neil Diamond Updates ‘Sweet Caroline’: ‘Hands… Washing Hands…’
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The original lyrics to his 1969 hit are filled with the key phrase, “hands… touching hands… reaching out… touching me… touching you…”
Those are now replaced with: “hands… washing hands… reaching out… don’t touch me… I won’t touch you…”
Watch his fireside performance below.

He has achieved 37 Top 40 singles including “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “I Am… I Said” and “Cherry Cherry.” “Sweet Caroline,” released in May 1969, reached #4 on Aug. 16, 1969.
On March 7 of this year, Diamond gave a surprise performance at a charity benefit in Las Vegas. In 2018, he announced that he was retiring from touring as a result of Parkinson’s disease.
Watch Diamond’s updated version of “Sweet Caroline”
Stay safe out there! “Hands… washing hands..” 🎶 pic.twitter.com/QaRB1qZshp
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) March 22, 2020
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationWonderful gesture, warm-hearted Neil Diamond. Your last name says it all.
Thank you!!