Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline” has become a favourite anthem of England fans at this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.
The song blared out over the Wembley speakers after last week’s 2-0 win over Germany, and fans around the country to celebrate Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Ukraine.
But how has an American song from the ’60s turned into an England favourite?
⚽ EXCLUSIVE: Neil Diamond gets behind the Three Lions after @England fans adopt 'Sweet Caroline' at #EURO2020
"I hope you can do it again – here's to England", he told The Telegraph
Read more 👉 https://t.co/QNfCh5rSuH pic.twitter.com/nrgjdDdNCa
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) July 1, 2021
Best of luck to @England from all your supporters in the Armed Forces.
We hope you enjoy this spectacular performance of Sweet Caroline by the @RoyalMarines to help you get in the zone. @RMBandService #ENGDEN #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/lzwiT7iEQL
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) July 7, 2021
Wembley DJ Tony Parry made the decision to play “Sweet Caroline” after the win over Germany, and it went down a storm.
He told TalkSport: “I was going to play ‘Vindaloo’, but went with my gut.
“Even the German fans were belting it out in the end. It’s a song that all fans can enjoy.
“The match director said in my in-ear: ‘The world’s been closed for 18 months… let ’em have it’.”
Part of its popularity is very simple: it is a fun song to belt out in a group, with fans adding “so good, so good, so good” to the middle of the chorus.
Harry Kane was left speechless by the chants after the Germany win, while Gareth Southgate told the post-match press conference: “You can’t beat a bit of ‘Sweet Caroline’!”
