Let’s face it. 2020 didn’t spark a lot of joy.
But somehow, we made it through to the end! Hopes have been high for a better year entering in 2021, with many people jesting that they stayed up on New Year’s Eve just to make sure the year left. It was a year riddled with twists, turns and surprises. We kissed life as we knew it goodbye, all in order to battle a pandemic that left no person or place untouched. Navigating this new landscape has been a challenge to all.
Luckily, we have one another to help flood the darkness with light.
For many, Neil Diamond has been a beacon during these confusing times.
Already beloved, the singer-songwriter has taken to creative avenues to bring a little much-needed joy.
When the pandemic first hit back in march, he came out with a rather affectionate PSA, rearranging the lyrics to one of his top hits. Diamond adjusted the lyrics to his 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline”to better reflect the changing of the times.
He prefaced the light-hearted musical reminder with this:
“I know we’re going through a rough time right now. But I love ya. And I just feel if we sing together we will all feel a little bit better.”
And in the video, he strummed the famous song in front of his fireplace, replacing the lyrics with:
“Hands, touching hands / Reaching out, touching me, touching you,” to “Hands, washing hands / Reaching out, don’t touch me, I won’t touch you.”
It was a good dose of comic relief in such a moment of chaos. He effectively reminded us all that despite any circumstance we can always rely on one another for an uplifting laugh.
But it wouldn’t be the last time that Diamond sought to connect people during the turbulent times.
Premiering just days before Christmas, Diamond hosted a global singalong to none other than “Sweet Caroline.”
“So, we wanted to bring people together [in] the best way we knew how: Through music to inspire people to come together. We challenged fans all around the world to sing along to ‘Sweet Caroline.’”
Challenge accepted! The participation was on the grandest of scales.
The video, created from real fan submissions during 2020, wove together a very human tapestry in a very isolating time.
The result is truly heartwarming.
Fans across the globe each get a moment to help come together to sing the song they all love so dearly.
The connection is instant and will make anyone smile. People from all walks of life, young and old gathered their submissions for the event.
Since the singalong was hosted, it’s been viewed hundred of thousands of times!
Fans and viewers across YouTube have flooded into the comments, applauding the effort.
One viewer commenting:
“Oh what an absolutely wonderful sing-along! I was smiling the biggest smile from beginning to end with happy tears glistening in my eyes. Thank you so much our Dearest Neil for this, & thank you & well done to everyone that took part. Fondest love & the biggest of hugs to you all.”
And another voicing:
“Diamonds are forever! Thank you all, to help the world sing away the corona virus – and give us hope for a better tomorrow!”
Ready to feel the love? Check it out in the video linked below!
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