Gladys Knight, born on May 28, 1944, developed her singing style while singing with her family at Baptist church functions. Though the group first released recordings in 1958, their career really got started when Motown founder Berry Gordy witnessed them perform at Harlemβs Apollo Theater in 1966 and felt very impressed. With a career following spanning decade after decade, featuring many hits, the group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Way We Were / Try to Remember
Gladys Knight & The Pips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody, the good old days, the good old days
Well, let's talk about the good old days
Come to think of it as, as bad as we think they are
These will become the good old days for our children, hum
Why don't we, ah
Try to remember that kind of september, when
Try to remember, and if you remember then follow
Oh, why does it seem the past is always better
We look back and think
The winters were warmer
The grass was greener
The skies were bluer
And smiles were bright
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me
Would we
Could we
Memories, like the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Of the way we were
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another
For the way we were
Hahaa
Oh, can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
And if we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me, haha
Would we
Could we
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were
Remember, the way we were
The song "The Way We Were / Try to Remember" by Gladys Knight & The Pips reflects on nostalgia for the past, while also acknowledging that time has a way of distorting memories. The lyrics discuss how people tend to look back upon the past with rose-tinted glasses, thinking that everything was better "back then." However, the song also acknowledges that memories can be painful and that people may choose to forget certain things. The lyrics encourage listeners to cherish the good memories and learn from the past, but also to recognize that the present and future can be just as enjoyable and fulfilling.
The first verse of the song sets up the theme of nostalgia for the past, with the repeated phrase "the good old days." The second verse introduces the specific memory of a September when life was slow and mellow, encouraging listeners to remember that time and follow along if they can. The third and fourth verses question whether the past was really as simple and perfect as people remember, with the lyrics suggesting that time may have "rewritten every line" and that things may have been more complicated than they seem. The chorus of the song is a reflection on memories, with misty watercolor memories evoking a sense of wistful looking back. The final verse puts a positive spin on the idea of remembering, encouraging people to focus on the laughter and good times rather than dwelling on the painful memories.
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the human tendency to look back at the past with fondness, even if that fondness is sometimes misplaced. The lyrics encourage listeners to appreciate the present moment and to make new memories that will become the "good old days" of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, you know, everybody's talkin' about the good old days, right
Many people are discussing the good old days
Everybody, the good old days, the good old days
Everyone talks about the good old days
Well, let's talk about the good old days
Let's discuss the good old days
Come to think of it as, as bad as we think they are
The supposed bad old days we think about, may not be as bad
These will become the good old days for our children, hum
What we consider as bad old days will become good old days for our children
Why don't we, ah
Why don't we discuss this?
Try to remember that kind of september, when
Remember that particular September, when life was pleasant
When life was slow and oh, so mellow, hum
When life was calm, and easy-going
Try to remember, and if you remember then follow
Think back, and if you recall those times, continue with me
Oh, why does it seem the past is always better
Why does it feel like the past was always superior?
We look back and think
We reminisce and ponder
The winters were warmer
We thought the winters were warmer
The grass was greener
We thought the grass was greener
The skies were bluer
We thought the skies were bluer
And smiles were bright
We remember people being happier
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Was everything really that simple in those times?
Or has time rewritten every line
Or has time altered how we remember those times?
And if we had the chance to do it all again
If we were given the opportunity to redo it
Tell me
Inform me
Would we
Would we do it?
Could we
Are we capable of doing it?
Memories, like the corners of my mind
Memories, like the hidden corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories
Faint and hazy memories
Of the way we were
Of how we were in the past
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Pictures that capture the happy moments shared
Smiles we gave to one another
The happy expressions we shared with each other
For the way we were
Because of how we were
Hahaa
Expressing joy
Memories may be beautiful and yet
Memories can be lovely but still
What's too painful to remember
The painful memories we choose to forget
We simply choose to forget
We choose not to remember those painful moments
So it's the laughter we will remember
We tend to remember the good times filled with laughter
Whenever we remember
Whenever we recollect
The way we were
How we used to be
Remember, the way we were
Remember how we were in the past
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: M Bergman, A Bergman, M Hamlisch
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KevTJones
I have just had a conversation with my daughter on the phone, she turns eighteen in Feb 2024. We were talking about memories of her childhood, that she has. I suggested after this call listen to this track, she said she would. I found this version, here on Y.T . So here I am in tears. God bless you all who read this and understand the power of our Lord.
@natashachange6770
@KevTJo Simply Beautiful...God Bless youβ€β€ππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎππΎHappy Birthday to yr.Daughter!ππππππ
@ijazmohammed588
DMX singing this at the end of his documentary was beautiful and heartbreaking.
@bucknastyunzueta1349
When i heard dmx sing this at the end of the doc. I teared no lie
@nativesonya1865
Me too
@ceedub1732
π₯²πͺ
@krw7684
Long live the Dog
@anthonyj5166
Thats why im here...
@LA3.0
DMX documentary brought me to this masterpiece
@kevinfelder6729
That is how I learned it as well