In 1973, the Bubs celebrated their tenth reunion at Cambridge’s Sheraton Commander Hotel. Unfortunately, the mid-‘70’s brought harder times. Larger issues such as the Vietnam War, the Watergate Scandal, and the oil crisis resulted in less enthusiasm and opportunity for extra-curricular campus activities. Fortunately, a small but dedicated group of undergraduate singers, with the help of the Beelzebubs Alumni Association, managed to keep the group alive and strong by singing, traveling, and recording. Because the group survived these times, the Bubs remain Tufts’ longest running student organization. During the ‘70’s, the Bubs also began adding popular music to their usual repertoire of barbershop, doo-wop, gospel, and jazz.
The 1980’s brought prosperous times for the Bubs. Each year, the gigging schedule grew larger while tour destinations became increasingly farther from Tufts. By the end of the ‘80’s, the group’s most distant destinations included Florida, California, Colorado, and England. Also, on-campus enthusiasm for the group increased, resulting in stronger audition pools and more complex musical arrangements.
In the early 1990’s, the Bubs made several developments that not only changed the group’s own style but also permanently affected the characteristics of collegiate and contemporary a cappella. The 1991 album Foster St. almost completely abandoned the traditional arranging styles of glee club, doo-wop, and barbershop music and introduced a new brand of arranging which aimed to capture the driving nature of contemporary popular music.
Throughout the 1990’s and into the new millennium, the Bubs have continued to develop this new style while also performing some music of the group’s past. To date, the Bubs have recorded 25 studio and 3 live albums and have won several awards for performing and recording. They also boast an active alumni association whose Bubs Foundation raises funds for music in Boston’s public schools. The Bubs have traveled to nearly every corner of the United States and have toured Europe on several occasions. They have performed at colleges, corporate gigs, public and private elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, bar mitzvahs, wedding showers, restaurants, hospitals, churches, Fenway Park, the Bank North Garden, Disneyworld, Disneyland, Eurodisney, the United States embassies in France and England, on Late Night with David Letterman and back home in Goddard Chapel at the top of the hill in Medford, MA.
Sweet Caroline
Tufts Beelzebubs 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 holding 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
The song "Sweet Caroline" by Tufts Beelzebubs begins with the lyrics "Where it began, I can't begin to knowin', But then I know it's growing strong." This first verse expresses a feeling of mystery and uncertainty about the origins of a relationship that has started to blossom. The singer cannot pinpoint exactly when or how it all began, but they feel certain that it is gradually becoming stronger and more meaningful. The second verse describes the progression of the relationship, from spring to summer, and the unlikely surprise of meeting someone unexpected. The chorus emphasizes the joy and elation that the singer feels in Sweet Caroline's company.
The bridge of the song shifts to a more introspective tone, as the singer reflects on how their relationship has changed their perspective on life. The night no longer feels lonely, as they now have someone to share it with. When they are together, our narrator feels free from the burdens of the world, and their love takes away any pain or sadness. The final chorus repeats the previous verses, underscored by the singer's conviction that they never would have believed in something so wonderful if it weren't for Sweet Caroline's presence in their life.
Line by Line Meaning
Where it began,
The location of the beginning is unknown
I can't begin to knowin'
I have no idea where it started from
But then I know it's growing strong
Despite the unknown origin, it has grown stronger
Was in the spring
It all started in the spring season
And spring became the summer
As spring progressed, it transformed into summer
Who'd have believed you'd come along.
Nobody would have guessed that you would appear in my life
Hands, touchin' hands
Hands intermingling with each other
Reachin' out, touchin' me, touchin' you
We are reaching out to touch and feel each other
Sweet Caroline
Term of endearment used to refer to Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
The good times are much more enjoyable
I've been inclined
I have been more likely
To believe they never would
To think that good times would never happen
But now I...
However, now I...
look at the night
Looking out at the night sky
And it don't seem so lonely
It does not feel lonely
We fill it up with only two.
We make the night feel full and complete with just the two of us
And when I hurt,
During the times I am in pain
Hurtin' runs off my shoulders
The pain seems to disappear when I am with you
How can I hurt when holding you?
It seems impossible to feel hurt when in your arms
Warm, touchin' warm
Body warmth intermingling with each other
Sweet Caroline
Term of endearment used to refer to Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
The good times are much more enjoyable
I've been inclined,
I have been more likely
To believe they never would
To think that good times would never happen
Oh, no, no
Expressing disbelief of the past worries
Contributed by Brooklyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@amaanansari316
Where it began, I can't begin to knowing
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
Hands, touching hands
Reaching out, touching me, touching 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 filled it up with only two
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulders
How can I hurt when holding you
One, touching one
Reaching out, touching me, touching 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
Sweet Caroline
I believe they never could
Sweet Caroline
Good times never seemed so good
@bison1203
His voice is such a pure baritone. Absolutely wonderful.
@KatrinaMess
The single most lady killer performance ever on this show! And an amazing group to boot.
@ParanormalPandasInc
This routine was perfection. Soloist was amazing and background sounded great.
@giovannileo9720
They would be the villains in any teen drama film
@mistacyrus
Dude whoever is doing the percussion sounds is a BEASTTTT!!!!!
@smilylov
You know they are from the Boston area when they "yell" SO GOOD, SO GOOD, SO GOOD towards the end! Yay Boston! :) And I love them !!!
@estelio16
The lead has such a boyish pure quality to his voice.. Wonderful.
@FermentedApiary
The Beelzebubs will forever be the best group to ever be on this wonderful, incredible show
@elmo2488
I actually can't stop watching this. It's wonderful.
@videocritic2020
I Love these guys!!!