MEMORY
Barry Manilow Lyrics


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Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan
Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can dream of the old days
Life was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
Every street lamp seems to beat
A fatalistic warning
Someone mutters and the street lamp sputters
Soon it will be morning

Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life and
I mustn't give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale court smell of morning
A street lamp dies
Another night is over
Another day is dawning
Touch me
It is so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you'll touch me




You'll understand what happiness is
Look, a new day has begun...

Overall Meaning

Barry Manilow's iconic song, Memory, has become a classic of its own right over the past few decades. While the song was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the musical "Cats," Manilow's rendition brings a unique perspective and emotional depth. The song opens with Manilow walking along the pavement late at night, and the world around him is eerily silent. As he gazes at the moon, he wonders if it has lost its memory, not realizing that it's actually his memories that are causing him pain.


As he continues to sing, he remembers the past and how beautiful life used to be. But, as he acknowledges that he can't go back in time, he tries to find hope for the future. The fatalistic warning of the street lamps, the court smell of morning, the burnt-out ends of smoky days, all add to the melancholic tone of the song. Yet, amidst the pain, there is a glimmer of hope. Manilow sings about the ease with which he can be touched, and how it can bring him happiness. He realizes that every day is a new beginning, and that there is hope for a better tomorrow.


Line by Line Meaning

Midnight
The time of day when there is no light, and it is quiet and calm everywhere.


Not a sound from the pavement
There is complete silence outside as there is no sound of anyone walking on the road.


Has the moon lost her memory
Wondering if the moon has forgotten about its previous phases.


She is smiling alone
The sight of the moon seems like it's smiling contentedly by itself.


In the lamplight
The only source of light is the lamp on the street which is making everything glow faintly.


The withered leaves collect at my feet
The leaves on the trees are dried up and are slowly falling to the ground, scattered around my feet.


And the wind begins to moan
The sound of the wind starts to pick up and becomes audible making a wailing sound.


Memory, all alone in the moonlight
Thinking of memories with only the moon as the company


I can dream of the old days
It's easy to imagine being back in time, during happier times.


Life was beautiful then
The memories evoke the idea that things were more blissful in the past.


I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Fondly recalling a moment in life when the feeling of being happy was familiar.


Let the memory live again
Hoping for the memories to rekindle and come back to life


Every street lamp seems to beat
All the streetlamps seem to flash or flicker, lighting the way.


A fatalistic warning
A sign of something ominous to come, unpredictable and dangerous.


Someone mutters and the street lamp sputters
A person mumbles something and the street light flickers or die out.


Soon it will be morning
Acknowledging that the night has come to an end, and the day is soon to begin.


Daylight
Refers to the daytime- when the sun is out, and everything is in plain sight.


I must wait for the sunrise
Waiting for the morning light to arrive, and the promise of a new day.


I must think of a new life and
Having to imagine or strategize on how to reinvent oneself- to start anew.


I mustn't give in
Trying not to let the stress of having to make new changes overwhelm.


When the dawn comes
When the sun comes up, and the sky is bright once again, signaling the beginning of a new day.


Tonight will be a memory too
Acknowledging that everything that occurred during the night will soon become a distant memory.


And a new day will begin
A day full of potential is on the horizon, an opportunity to start again with a clean slate.


Burnt out ends of smoky days
Referencing particularly bad experiences and memories that were filled with misery and depression.


The stale court smell of morning
The musty smell of the streets and surroundings during the early morning.


A street lamp dies
A light on the street has stopped working.


Another night is over
The time by which dark skies start covering the city has elapsed.


Another day is dawning
A new day is starting to break into the sky- a new beginning.


Touch me
Means to offer comfort to someone by touching them- holding their hand or embracing them.


It is so easy to leave me
Being left alone is such an effortless and simple act for others.


All alone with the memory
Being left without companionship and only with memories to keep company.


Of my days in the sun
Thinking back on happy and sunny days.


If you'll touch me
Assuming that getting touched by someone will eventually make everything better.


You'll understand what happiness is
Believing that being touched by someone could emphasize the reality of happiness.


Look, a new day has begun...
Finally witnessing the arrival of a bright new day, signaling fresh beginnings.




Lyrics © Strictly Songs SPRL, CONSALAD CO., Ltd., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, ONErpm, Iricom US Ltd, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Trevor Nunn, T.S. Eliot, Zdenek Hruby

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Richard Young

I was fixing myself breakfast this morning and suddenly this tune came into my head even though I couldn’t remember the exact title. After a bit of searching, I discovered it. This is such a beautiful song.

Nature Lover🦋

Same... Always happened.

Nora lilia Ocaño ochoa

Hermosa canción y en la interpretación de Barry Manilow es preciosísima, me encanta Barry Manilow, saludos recibe un súper abrazo desde Hermosillo Sonora México.

Vince Malzac

This is one of the most expressive, beautiful, romantic and emotionally charged songs that any man has ever sung, which reaches down into my heart and soul. I first heard it when I was on a flight with the late great Eastern Airlines, back in the early '80s, on my way to San Juan from Miami to my friend's wedding. Great job Barry! From your fellow Brooklyn compatriot.

Ligaya Escalante

Beautiful music my favorite

Christa 2000

I love this song! Barry´s interpretation is the most beautiful! My heart is melting!

Mikey Maff

110% agree.No one can touch this version

crewcutter2030

Barry Manilow is one of the best lyricist to ever write songs.

Joshua sun

Am in my golden age .......for me this is the most meaningful song..........Salute Barry Manilow

Wong Kum Fai

One of my favourite songs. Listened to many version but Barry's the most beautiful and emotionally delivered....very meaningful song that accompany me over the years...2019-

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