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About the Song
On January 1, 2018, legendary singer-songwriter Neil Diamond gave what would become his final live performance of his iconic hit “Sweet Caroline.” The venue? A celebratory crowd in Times Square, New York City — ringing in the New Year with joy, nostalgia, and the unmistakable power of a song that has brought people together for generations. At 76 years old, Diamond stood before a sea of waving hands and smiling faces, delivering one last unforgettable rendition before the lights dimmed on his touring career.
Just weeks later, in late January 2018, Diamond publicly announced his retirement from touring due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The news shocked and saddened fans worldwide, marking an abrupt end to one of the most enduring live acts in American music. That New Year’s performance, once just another celebratory singalong, suddenly became something far more meaningful — a farewell moment captured in real time, before anyone knew it was goodbye.
Wearing a warm coat against the winter chill and backed by a small group of musicians and a chorus of adoring fans, Diamond didn’t miss a beat. His voice, slightly weathered but still full of spirit, rang out over the crowd:
“Where it began… I can’t begin to knowin’…”
As always, the crowd responded with thunderous enthusiasm — shouting the famous “BAH BAH BAH” and “SO GOOD! SO GOOD! SO GOOD!” in perfect unison. It was more than a performance. It was a shared ritual, a musical connection passed through decades of concerts, ballparks, and family memories.
Even in the face of personal adversity, Neil Diamond delivered that night with grace and gratitude. He smiled. He sang. He gave everything to the moment — just as he always had.
Though he would no longer tour, Diamond made it clear that he wasn’t stepping away from music entirely. In the years since, he’s continued to write, record, and occasionally appear for special events, but New Year’s Day 2018 remains the last time the world experienced “Sweet Caroline” sung live by the man who wrote it.