Fast And Easy Sweet Caroline Chords And Guitar Lesson (Neil Diamond)

Here’s an epic song that’s become a bit of a cultural phenomenon. 

Every time I’ve performed it at a special event, bar, wedding, or club the crowd always seems to go CRAZY.

Especially when they get to the sing-along… 

So grab your 6-stringer, and let’s dive into this "Sweet Caroline" chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Sweet Caroline?

"Sweet Caroline" was written by Neil Diamond in 1969. The story goes for years he claimed it was inspired by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy. 

He said he saw a photo of young Caroline on the cover of a magazine and thought the name "Caroline" fit perfectly with the melody he had already been developing. 

However, in 2014, Diamond revealed that the song was actually inspired by his then-wife, Marcia Murphey. He chose "Caroline" simply because her name didn’t fit the rhythm of the song.

Can you picture it?

“Sweet Marsha…”

This unexpected twist adds another layer of charm to the song’s already fascinating history.

It was recorded at American Sound Studio, in Memphis, Tennessee with producers Tommy Cogbill and Chips Moman at the help.

Diamond chose American Sound Studio because of its reputation for producing hits with Elvis Presley and Dusty Springfield. The session featured “a-list” session musicians, known as "The Memphis Boys," who brought the song to life with its iconic horn sections and driving rhythm. 

“Sweet Caroline” was certified 3× Platinum by the RIAA, and reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019 for its lasting impact.

Over the years, the song has become a cultural phenomenon, widely used at sporting events, weddings, and other celebrations. It also became the unofficial anthem of the Boston Red Sox in the late 1990s. 

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Sweet Caroline?

The tuning for "Sweet Caroline" as recorded by Neil Diamond is standard tuning. 

Standard tuning for a guitar is spelled out as EADGBE. 

Here are the strings: 

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch)

Next, let’s talk about…

Does Sweet Caroline use a capo?
 

“Sweet Caroline” can be played with or without a capo. And it’s often done in different keys. Whether or not you use one should be decided by considering your skill level as a guitarist, and what key best matches the singer’s vocal range. The original key is the key of B major concert pitch. To play in this key without a capo will require the ability to play several bar chords. You could alternatively play it in the key of A major and use a capo on the 2nd fret, or play it in G major and use a capo on the 4th fret.

The capo’d versions make it slightly easier to play.

Next let’s dive into the…

Sweet Caroline Chords

To play "Sweet Caroline” as recorded by Neil Diamond you only need to know 6 main chords F#, B, E, B6, D#m, and C#m. These are the non-capo’d chords. Let’s take a look at a few options for how they can be played on the fretboard.

F# is played in the 2nd position as a bar chord like this:

B is played in the 2nd position as well like so:

E is played using all 6 strings like this:

D#m is a bar chord played from the 5th string down and in 6th position like this:

Finally, C#m is the same shape but play 2 frets lower like this:

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard and want to learn it faster and in the simplest way. Then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

All right, now that you know the "Sweet Caroline" chords, let’s now talk about…

What key is Sweet Caroline in?

"Sweet Caroline" as recorded by Neil Diamond is often played in different keys. However, the original is in B major. All the chords fit the diatonic scale of B major. Let’s take a quick look at how each chord relates to the key of B major.

The B major scale consists of these notes: B - C# - D# - E - F# - G# - A# - B

F# Major

Notes: F# - A# - C#

Function in B Major: This is the V chord (dominant). The dominant chord creates tension that resolves back to the tonic (B). It’s a cornerstone of tonal harmony.

B Major

Notes: B - D# - F#

Function in B Major: This is the I chord (tonic).

The tonic is the "home base" chord and establishes the key center.

E Major

Notes: E - G# - B

Function in B Major: This is the IV chord (subdominant).

The subdominant is often used to prepare a return to the dominant or tonic chords, adding movement and richness to the progression.

B6 (B Major 6)

Notes: B - D# - F# - G#

Function in B Major: This is a I chord with an added 6th (G#).

The 6th (G#) is diatonic to B major and adds a jazzy or lush color to the tonic chord without changing its functional role.

D#m (D# Minor)

Notes: D# - F# - A#

Function in B Major: This is the iii chord (mediant).

The mediant chord connects the tonic and dominant harmonically. In “Sweet Caroline” it’s simply used as a passing chord used to exit the Chorus section. It creates a smooth transition. 

C#m (C# Minor)

Notes: C# - E - G#

Function in B Major: This is the ii chord (supertonic).

This chord as well is only used in a transitional progression exiting the chorus.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Tonic (I): B
• Supertonic (ii): C#m
• Mediant (iii): D#m
• Subdominant (IV): E
• Dominant (V): F#
• Tonic extension (I6): B6 

That’s the theory, but remember it doesn’t mean a thing without a good…

Sweet Caroline Strumming Pattern

The main underlying rhythm for "Sweet Caroline" is a swinging 8th-note feel. This gives the song a bouncy groove. Swinging 8th notes means that instead of dividing each beat of a 4/4 time signature into two equal parts, the first 8th note of each pair is held slightly longer, and the second 8th note is shorter, creating a "long-short" feel. 

In a 4/4 time signature, each measure still has four beats, but the subdivision of each beat into 8th notes now follows a triplet feel, where the first 8th note lasts for approx two-thirds of the beat, and the second 8th note lasts for the remaining one-third.

To count swing 8th notes, you can use the same syllables as straight 8th notes:

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

However, when played, it’s closer to a triplet:

"One (and) uh, Two (and) uh, Three (and) uh, Four (and) uh" 

Here’s the breakdown:

1: The first 8th note (longer, on the beat)

&: The second 8th note (shorter, off the beat but swinging toward the next beat)

When counting out loud, you can emphasize the swing feel by imagining a “triplet skip” between the notes, making the rhythm feel lively and syncopated.

That’s the feel for the 8th notes. But I wouldn’t play all 8th notes the whole time. Here is an example of a “Sweet Caroline” strumming pattern: 

Conclusion

There ya have! 

An epic tune that can potentially make your audience go crazy and get them singing along!

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:    

Jon MacLennan