Sweet Caroline- A new Perspective

[arbnranger]

Sweet Caroline... There aren't many songs that sound sweeter after a victory.

OK- Country Roads if you are from West Virginia.. Anyway, my point is that the Panthers have really ingrained the song to me, ingrained the song with winning. I love it... much as it was intended, It reminds me of victory in the Carolina's.

Just a different perspective of the song for me.

I'm not one to tell war stories..plenty out there with more than me, been drinking and love the Huddle...anyways

Early 2004- Been out of the military for a few minutes. Signed up with a group that was at the forefront of contractors intertwined on the battlefield. Regardless of politics..I'm in a foreign land....doing what I do best....Surviving mostly.

After rolling in enemy territory for months I had heard just about every "bad ass jam" to get you pumped up or to get your "mind right". After months of Young Bloodz and Pantera's entire discography,,,,one night, before an important run...  I looked down between the seats and saw a CD. The CD was labeled but I couldn't understand the writing because it was written by one of our local Afrikaans. Locked and loaded, body armor on, Kevlar helmet, (reluctantly) bad-ass Mechanix gloves, beard (before hipster claimed it) old ass baseball cap and a dip.

I slide the foreign title in the CD player and let it play as we roll down the dusty back roads of Baghdad. turned up to max volume, much to my surprise .....is the beginning of Sweet Caroline... We roll down the narrow neighborhoods... the soft, soothing familiar voice of Niel Diamond playing loud in my ears (with Peltors). What a contrast for me... driving around the dangerous roads in a foreign land and hearing that sweet baritone voice. The juxtaposition was hilarious...everyone in the up-armored SUV smiled, laughed, thought of home and sang along...loudly and in unison. It became the units official song on important ops.

Don't mean to tell war stories, just thought I would share for those who like the song .. cool song for our own reasons. Real happy it's the Panthers song now.

Love my team...thats my qb gif. :)

[Kuhndog94]

I am fortunate enough to be a fan of WVU and the Panthers.

Both songs feel great every time i hear them, no matter how many times I hear them. Unfortunately I haven't heard Country Roads many times this year. 

[arbnranger]

41 minutes ago, Kuhndog94 said:

I am fortunate enough to be a fan of WVU and the Panthers.

Both songs feel great every time i hear them, no matter how many times I hear them. Unfortunately I haven't heard Country Roads many times this year. 

For me, Country Roads runs a little deeper... but man ... Sweet Caroline is moving up steadily ... I'm sure you feel the same. Cant pick your favorite kid if someone asks . Haha 

[Reynman]

the band plays it during halftime in the Club Level bar...

Still wish it was blasting at the end of a victory.

 

[Jangler]

This song sounds like victory...

Victory over the man!

[Toker Smurf]

9 hours ago, arbnranger said:

Sweet Caroline... There aren't many songs that sound sweeter after a victory.

OK- Country Roads if you are from West Virginia.. Anyway, my point is that the Panthers have really en grained the song to me, en grained the song with winning. I love it... much as it was intended, It reminds me of victory in the Carolina's.

Just a different perspective of the song for me.

I'm not one to tell war stories..plenty out there with more than me, been drinking and love the Huddle...anyways

Early 2004- Been out of the military for a few minutes. Signed up with a group that was at the forefront of contractors intertwined on the battlefield. Regardless of politics..I'm in a foreign land....doing what I do best....Surviving mostly.

After rolling in enemy territory for months I had heard just about every "bad ass jam" to get you pumped up or to get your "mind right". After months of Young Bloodz and Pantera's entire discography,,,,one night, before an important run...  I looked down between the seats and saw a CD. The CD was labeled but I couldn't understand the writing because it was written by one of our local Afrikaans. Locked and loaded, body armor on, Kevlar helmet, (reluctantly) bad-ass Mechanix gloves, beard (before hipster claimed it) old ass baseball cap and a dip.

I slide the foreign title in the CD player and let it play as we roll down the dusty back roads of Baghdad. turned up to max volume, much to my surprise .....is the beginning of Sweet Caroline... We roll down the narrow neighborhoods... the soft, soothing familiar voice of Niel Diamond playing loud in my ears (with Peltors). What a contrast for me... driving around the dangerous roads in a foreign land and hearing that sweet baritone voice. The juxtaposition was hilarious...everyone in the up-armored SUV smiled, laughed, thought of home and sang along...loudly and in unison. It became the units official song on important ops.

Don't mean to tell war stories, just thought I would share for those who like the song .. cool song for our own reasons. Real happy it's the Panthers song now.

Love my team...thats my qb gif. :)

Really cool story.  Thank you for your service. 

[UpstatePanther]

Thank you for your service sir and keep pounding

[Khyber53]

Did you do time with Executive Outcomes?

[The Huddler]

Rip me, but I thinkk  its dumb and corny. A love song?

[arbnranger]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Did you do time with Executive Outcomes?

No I sure didn't... but oddly enough the guy who the CD belonged to did. I worked with 2 or 3 guys from that old EO crew..

Talk about stories.......those guys had stories.....Jeez

[arbnranger]

51 minutes ago, The Huddler said:

Rip me, but I thinkk  its dumb and corny. A love song?

I don't disagree. For me, it's almost like an inside joke, the "corniness" is sort of what makes it so good.

[Bartin]

56 minutes ago, The Huddler said:

Rip me, but I thinkk  its dumb and corny. A love song?

It's about an 11 year old girl so I sure as hell hope it isn't a love song.

[zacka77ack]

9 hours ago, Reynman said:

the band plays it during halftime in the Club Level bar...

Still wish it was blasting at the end of a victory.

 

I didn't hear after the Packers game.  Are they not playing it anymore or did I just miss it in all the excitement?

[Anybodyhome]

I've always been a bit embarrassed when they play it. Neil Diamond, a song about an 11-year old girl and pro football.... yeah, that all goes together.