“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond is a timeless classic, beloved for its feel-good vibes and singalong chorus. If you’re looking to play this iconic song on guitar, you’ve come to the right place! This guide provides you with easy-to-follow guitar chords for “Sweet Caroline”, perfect for beginners and seasoned players alike. Get ready to bring the good times wherever you play.
Simple Chord Progression for a Classic Hit
“Sweet Caroline” is built around a relatively simple chord progression, making it incredibly accessible to guitarists of all levels. The song primarily uses open chords, which are among the first chords most guitarists learn. Here’s a breakdown of the chords you’ll need to know:
- G Major (G)
- C Major (C)
- D Major (D)
- D7 (D7)
- Em (E minor)
- Am (A minor)
- C/B (C slash B) – Don’t worry if this one looks a bit different! We’ll explain it.
While that C/B might seem a little advanced, it’s a smooth transition chord that adds a nice touch to the chorus. For beginners, you can even simplify it to a regular C chord and still enjoy playing the song.
“Sweet Caroline” Guitar Chords – Song Structure
Let’s break down the song into sections and see how the chords fit in. The structure is quite repetitive, making it easy to memorize.
Intro: D7 x7
(Start with D7 chord and strum it seven times)
Verse 1:
G G C C Where it began, I can’t begin to know it
G G D D But then I know it’s going strong
G G C C Was it the spring, and spring became a summer?
G G D D Who’d have believe you’d come along?
Pre-Chorus:
G G Em Em Hands, touching hands
D7 D7 C C D D Reaching out, touching me, touching you
Chorus:
G C C C D D Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good
G C C |D C| |C/B Am| I’ve been inclined, to believe they never would, But now I’m
Verse 2:
G G C C Look at the night, and it don’t seem so lonely
G G D D We fill it up with only two
G G C C And when I hurt, hurting runs off my shoulder
G G D D How can I hurt when holding you?
Pre-Chorus:
G G Em Em Warm, touching warm
D7 D7 C C D D Reaching out, touching me, touching you
Chorus:
G C C C D D Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good
G C C |D C| |C/B Am| I’ve been inclined, to believe they never would, But now I’m
Intro: D7 X7 (Repeat Intro)
Chorus:
G C C C D D Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good
G C C D D I’ve been inclined, to believe they never could
G C C C D D end on G Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good
Tips for Playing “Sweet Caroline”
- Strumming Pattern: A simple down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern in 4/4 time works great for most of the song. Feel free to experiment and find what feels natural.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between G, C, and D chords. These are the core chords of the song, and clean changes will make your playing sound much better.
- C/B Chord: The C/B chord is a variation of the C chord where you lower the bass note to a B. If you find it challenging, you can simply play a regular C chord instead, especially when starting out. The progression will still sound great!
- Listen to the Original: Listen to Neil Diamond’s version of “Sweet Caroline” to get a feel for the rhythm and timing. Playing along with the song is an excellent way to improve your timing and ear.
- Practice Regularly: Like any skill, playing guitar takes practice. Set aside some time each day to practice these chords and the song structure. You’ll be surprised how quickly you progress!
Image: Neil Diamond singing and playing guitar, showcasing guitar chords during a performance of Sweet Caroline.
Get Started and Enjoy!
“Sweet Caroline” is a fantastic song to add to your guitar repertoire. Its easy chord progression and catchy melody make it a crowd-pleaser that’s fun to play and sing along to. Grab your guitar, learn these chords, and start spreading the “good times never seemed so good” feeling today!
