He left Auburn University after his second year to pursue a musical career. After three years playing guitar for Roy Orbison, he set out on a solo career in 1964. He soon had a Top Ten hit with his own composition "See the Funny Little Clown."
Other Top 40 hits from the 1960s include:
* "Whenever He Holds You"
* "Little Things"
* "Voodoo Woman"
* "It's Too Late"
* "Blue Autumn"
* "Me Japanese Boy I Love You"
* "Honey"
* "Autumn of My Life"
* "The Straight Life"
"Honey" was a Number One hit in 1968. In the early 1970s he had two more hits, "Watching Scotty Grow," and "Summer (The First Time)." From 1973 to 1975 he hosted the syndicated television variety series The Bobby Goldsboro Show. In the mid-1980's he retired from performing to produce children's entertainment.
Sweet Caroline
Bobby Goldsboro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't begin to knowin'
But then I know it's growing strong
Was in the spring
And spring became the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
But now I
Look at the night
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when I'm with you
Warm, touchin' warm
Reachin' out
Touchin' me
Touchin' you
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Oh, no, no
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
I've been inclined
To believe they never would
Sweet Caroline
The song "Sweet Caroline" by Bobby Goldsboro is a love song about the unexpected growth of love between two people. The opening lines, "Where it began, I can't begin to knowin', but then I know it's growing strong," suggest that the singer is reflecting on the origin and evolution of his love for Caroline. He is uncertain about where or how these feelings started, but he acknowledges that they have become stronger over time.
The song then proceeds to describe the progression of their relationship, from the spring to the summer, and the singer expresses disbelief that Caroline has entered his life, saying "Who'd have believed you'd come along." The chorus, "Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good, I've been inclined to believe they never would," suggests that Caroline has brought happiness into the singer's life that he never thought was possible.
The second verse talks about how Caroline has brought comfort to the singer's life, how loneliness no longer feels so scary, and how being with her makes everything better. The final chorus repeats the sentiment that good times never seemed so good, and the song ends on the title, "Sweet Caroline."
Line by Line Meaning
Where it began
The origin of this love story is unknown
I can't begin to knowin'
It's impossible to pinpoint the exact start of this relationship
But then I know it's growing strong
Despite not knowing the beginning, the love between them is getting stronger
Was in the spring
Their love started in the spring
And spring became the summer
Their love blossomed and continued into the summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along
It was unexpected and surprising to find someone special
Hands, touchin' hands
Physical touch between them, holding hands
Reachin' out
Reaching out to each other, connecting deeply
Touchin' me
The physical touch of the other person brings joy and pleasure to oneself
Touchin' you
Sharing the pleasure of physical touch with the other person
Sweet Caroline
Referring to the person, the one who makes life sweet
Good times never seemed so good
When with that special person, life seems extra sweet and full of joy
I've been inclined
I've often felt
To believe they never would
To think that good times would never come
But now I
But now that I'm with you
Look at the night
Observing the night sky
And it don't seem so lonely
Being with the other person makes even the loneliest moments seem brighter
We fill it up with only two
Together, they fill the darkness with light
And when I hurt
When I'm in pain
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
Being with that person somehow relieves the pain and makes it easier to bear
How can I hurt when I'm with you
Your presence makes everything better, even the hardest times become easier to bear
Warm, touchin' warm
The warmth of the other person's touch, embracing each other
Sweet Caroline
Referring to the person again, emphasizing how they make life sweet
Oh, no, no
A joyful exclamation for how happy they are with each other
Sweet Caroline
Repeating the refrain, emphasizing how important this person is to the singer
Good times never seemed so good
Their love makes everything seem better, even the good times seem better with that person
I've been inclined
I've often felt
To believe they never would
To think that good times would never come
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Neil Diamond
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind