Mar162020

Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline Piano & Ukulele Chord Progression and Tab

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This is the chords of Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar and Keyboard.

[Intro]
E E E E

[Verse]
A D
Where it began I can’t begin to know it
A E
But then I know it’s going strong
A D
Was in the spring, and spring became a summer
A E
Who’d have believe you’d come along

[Pre-Chorus]
A A6
Hands touching hands
E D E
Reaching out touching me touching you

[Chorus]
A D E
Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good
A D E
I’d be inclined to believe there never would
D C#m Bm
But now I’m

[Verse 2]
A (E A E) D
Look at the night and it don’t seem so lonely
A E
We fill it up with only two
A D
And when I hurt Hurting runs off my shoulder
A E
How can I hurt when holding you

[Pre-Chorus]
A A6
One, touching one
E E
Reachin out touching me touching you

[Chorus]
A D (D C# F#) E
Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good
A D (D C# F#) E
I’d be inclined to believe there never would
D C#m Bm
Oh no no

[Instrumental]
E E E E

[Pre-Chorus]
A A6
Hands touching hands
E D E
Reaching out touching me touching you

[Chorus]
A D (D C# F#) E
Sweet Caroline Good times never seemed so good
A D (D C# F#) E
I’d be inclined to believe there never would
D C#m Bm A
Oh no no

How to play Sweet Caroline: key, chords and progression

Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond sits in A major (three sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯), and you need 8 chords to play it: E, A, D, A6, C#m, Bm, C# and F#.

Most of the song cycles through D – A – E – A (IV – I – V – I in A major). In solfa, that is fah – doh – soh – doh. Get these 4 changes smooth and the rest comes quickly.

Good to know: C#m, Bm, C# and F# are played as barre or movable shapes on guitar. Practise the change into them slowly; on piano and ukulele the same chords are easier.