“Sweet Caroline” has made its way across the Atlantic.
For years, Neil Diamond’s 1969 single has been a fixture at Fenway Park, played every night during the eighth-inning stretch (much to the chagrin of Lou Merloni). But now, it’s become a rallying cry for the England men’s national soccer team.
Maybe John Henry’s influence is spreading beyond Liverpool.
Following England’s semifinal win Wednesday over Denmark in the Euro 2020 (the highly anticipated championship European soccer tournament), the packed crowd at Wembley Stadium started bellowing out that familiar rallying cry: “So good! So good!”
The 52-year-old single is a new addition to the English soccer experience. It started following England’s Round of 16 win over Germany.
“I was going to play ‘Vindaloo’, but went with my gut,” Wembley DJ Tony Parry told Talksport. “Even the German fans were belting it out in the end. It’s a song that all fans can enjoy.”
It turns out the DJ’s gut was right. England captain Harry Kane said the moment left him “speechless,” and team manager Gareth Southgate mentioned the anthem in his postgame press conference.
Diamond has gotten behind the effort as well, along with Prince Charles. Prior to Wednesday’s match, he invited the Coldstream Guards to play “Sweet Caroline” at Clarence House.
So, there you have it. The English and Bostonians are linked once again — how sweet is that?
(Hat tip to Hayden Bird of Boston.com)