“Washing Hands, Reaching Out”–Popular Music, Digital Leisure and Touch during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Through the lens of contagion theory, this paper examines the act of sanitizing tactile references in popular music at a time of legislated and extreme isolation. “Sweet Caroline” is an infectious tune that embraces togetherness and intimacy both lyrically and through its live performance. However, on March 22, 2020, Neil Diamond posted on Twitter a clip of himself, alone in front of a fireplace, singing a modified version of his hit song which reworked the lyrics of “touching hands” to “washing hands” and “touching me, touching you” to “don’t touch me, I won’t touch you.” More viral than COVID-19 itself, the revised “Sweet Caroline” has spread to over five million viewers in a couple of short weeks. Touch, during the COVID-19 pandemic, has become devalued at a time when it should be celebrated as a point of comfort in the present and as hope for the future.