“There won’t be: touch your hands, get out, touch me, play.”
Restaurants and bars have adapted to protecting their consumers in a number of ways, however, this may be the hardest thing to understand to date. An Irish pub in Spain bans Neil Diamond’s vintage song “Sweet Caroline” to ensure the protection of its consumers.
The song has long been a staple of parties and reunions, however, some of its lyrics have not aged well given the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chorus that used to be sung freely now takes on a new meaning with the words: “Hands, touch your hands, get out, touch me, play.”
Now, the Murphy Irish Bar in Carralejo, Spain, forbids the song. A photo posted through pub owner Linda Carroll showed the sign explaining the decision: “Because of COVID-19, ‘Sweet Caroline’ is forbidden. There won’t be: touch your hands, get out, touch me, play. . “
The song was not only banned by the lyrics, but also because of the nature of the song that evokes in crowded bars. In a New York Post report, many bar owners said “Sweet Caroline” leads consumers to hug, touch their hands and shout the song. Singing among giant crowds can cause more breathing drops in the air. TL; DR: Respiratory droplets are a way to spread COVID-19.
Although cutting this vintage bar ballad can be a sadness for some, if it leads to less contact from person to person, the resolution makes sense. Fortunately, singer Neil Diamond released a modified edition of the song on YouTube in March to reflect the time with a chorus that says “Hands, wash your hands, get out, don’t touch me, I probably wouldn’t touch you.”