JOHN FARRELL GOT THE BOOT – WILL ‘SWEET CAROLINE’ BE NEXT?
Fans push Petty classic for new Sox tune
The Red Sox already have “Sweet Caroline.” They would be smart to keep their mitts off “I Won't Back Down.”
A change.org petition surfaced Tuesday pushing for the Red Sox to swap out Neil Diamond's “Sweet Caroline” for Tom Petty's “I Won't Back Down.” A campaign made silly when the Sox quickly backed down and were crushed by the Houston Astros in the first round of the MLB playoffs and then gave the boot to manager John Farrell. The petition is an honorable effort, Tom Petty was a genius the likes of which we won't see again, but I hate the idea. The Sox are one of the world's greatest franchises. “Sweet Caroline” is a perfect pop song. But the combination of the two, even for citizens of Red Sox Nation, has created an insufferable monster.
No pop song, not a Beatles classic, James Brown gem, or Beyonce hit, can survive the immense weight carried by Diamond's tune. The song is in constant rotation on commercial radio and barroom playlists, movie soundtracks and TV advertisements (please, I beg of you, make that Hyundai Sonata commercial stop).
Like so many, I learned to love “Sweet Caroline” only to grow to hate it. Like so many, the only time I want to hear it is during the eighth inning of a Red Sox game at Fenway.
Those few good-hearted souls backing the change.org petition (fewer than 200 have signed on) haven't thought this through. They want the song to be immortal, but it already is. The cost of becoming the Sox anthem will be an association “I Won't Back Down” will never outlive.
Tom Petty and his fans will lose every bit of ownership over the song and it will become Red Sox property. Eventually the petition will have the opposite of its intended effect: “I Won't Back Down” will become less popular, not more so.
Indelibly connecting a song with a team or film, product or celebrity is a tricky business. How many Fleetwood Mac fans cringe when they hear “Don't Stop” and think of Bill Clinton? When you think of the song “Venus” do you think of Bananarama or Gillette razors?
The Sox will always have “Sweet Caroline.” I'm fine with that. I have made my peace and I'll even sing along happily anytime it comes over the PA at Fenway. But they need to steer clear of Tom Petty's catalog.