I feel like everyone in the world knows this song. It's become almost a joke, a staple in modern culture much like a meme, but the reason it has staying power is because it's such a good song. Neil has been in the business since the sixties and that's a long career to cover so we're going to do a fast one. He got his first guitar when he was sixteen, and got into writing his own music after going to a summer camp. He went to NYU for pre-med with a fencing scholarship (which honestly what?) and was part of the National fencing team. He was 10 credits short of graduating when the music business came calling. It was a rocky start with a lot of unsuccessful songs until 1965 when songs he wrote for other people starting gaining success. His own performing of songs got success in 1966. He moved to La in 1969, and wrote this song. This was after he had hit a bit of a slump and clearly it did amazing. Fun Fact: It was actually written about his then wife Marcia, but nothing rhymed with that. He spent the 70's performing sold out shows and on a break. He was in a movie in the 80's which didn't do so well and he decided he wasn't really built to be an actor. The 90's were great for him, popping out six albums in the decade. This is also about the time that Sweet Caroline became a classic and was being used for anything and everything. Since he's been just kinda doing whatever he wants, performing concerts, coming as a guest judge for singing shows, and making more music. This year he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has since retired from touring, but he says he's still very much going to continue to make music so I can't wait to hear it. This is honestly as stripped down as I could get it, but if you're curious look up his career some more. He's done a lot.
Peace.
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