He was a pop icon in the 1970s. Today, one of his songs is experiencing a viral resurgence. From soccer stadiums to TikTok, Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" hasn't stopped playing.Neil Diamond celebrates his 85th birthday — and while the musician himself has long retired from the stage, his music is more present than ever.

Also Read | Business News | India on Track to Begin Commercial Semiconductor Chip Production in 2026: Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Few songwriters have created so many distinctive melodies over the decades; tunes with a firm place in the collective memory: "Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," "I'm a Believer," "I Am... I Said," "Song Sung Blue" can be heard at weddings and in stadiums, on radio stations and road trips, at family celebrations and in movies.

Also Read | India News | Indian Army to Showcase ‘Battle Array’ at 77th Republic Day Parade.

Memorable hits for The Monkees, Cliff Richard and Elvis

Neil Leslie Diamond was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1941, the son of Jewish immigrants. At 16, he was gifted a guitar — the foundation for his future career. He went to school with Barbra Streisand; the two sang in the school choir and later duetted on the soulful track "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," which became a global hit.

He wanted to study medicine, but songwriting was ultimately more important to him. He firmly believed in his talent for melodies and lyrics. He jotted down ideas the moment they came to him — and eventually got a job as a songwriter for other artists.

His first success was "I'm a Believer," which he wrote for The Monkees. He had further hits with songs such as "Cherry, Cherry" and "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon."

Soon enough, the big names of the time were knocking on his door: superstars such as Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard and Frank Sinatra all performed his songs.

In the 1970s, Neil Diamond finally rose to become one of the greatest live acts of his time; with his catchy melodies and sonorous voice, he filled halls and arenas around the globe. After a career lasting almost 50 years, he retired from the stage in 2018 for health reasons.

A diagnosis of Parkinson's disease put an end to his touring, but he continued to produce songs. In October 2025, he performed "Sweet Caroline" at an awards ceremony in Denver, where he was honored for his life's work.

The impact of his music has not been exhausted — not least thanks to a recent film that shows how deeply his songs are rooted in the lives of many people.

A love letter to Diamond's music

The new feature film "Song Sung Blue" (which hit theaters in Germany on January 8, 2026) is not a Neil Diamond biopic. It tells the story of Mike and Claire Sardina, a married couple from Milwaukee who form a small Neil Diamond tribute band. The couple, played by actors Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, try to overcome personal crises by performing in bars and small clubs.

Diamond's music provides the film's emotional language: not just as a background, but as the driving force behind a story about passion, failure and new beginnings.

The fact that these songs continue to inspire people decades after their release shows that Diamond's work has become part of a collective archive — one which is accessible, adaptable, and open to new interpretations.

'Sweet Caroline's' viral resurgence

Meanwhile, "Sweet Caroline," Diamond's biggest hit, is experiencing a worldwide revival — not for the first time.

Austrian entertainer and party pop singer DJ Ötzi re-released the song in 2009, taking it into beer tents, après-ski bars and nightclubs.

The hit has been an integral part of sports culture for years. When the English women's soccer team became European champions in 2022, fans celebrated the athletes with this song. The iconic "who-ho-hoo" part makes it the perfect sing-along anthem. Social media platforms such as TikTok have turned it into a global ritual: Fans film themselves singing it, teams celebrate victories with it, and families use it for humorous reels.

In turbulent times, the song represents a snippet of pop optimism — warm, rousing and instantly connecting. With each new viral wave, younger users discover Neil Diamond for the first time whilst older listeners celebrate nostalgia.

The movie "Song Sung Blue" plays a part in this: "Sweet Caroline," also an audience favorite in the story, becomes the film's secret anthem. And it brings Diamond back into the media and streaming lists with his music.

Neil Diamond's hits aren't just pleasant, familiar oldies. They are — as one of his song titles says — "A Beautiful Noise." They're melodies with no shelf life; timeless classics loved by old and young.

This article was originally written in German.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2026 10:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).