While Greg Kihn may have found a home for his music when he moved to Berkeley in 1974 and signed on with Beserkley Records, it would take almost a decade to find a successful formula for his music. Winding from Dylanesque folk to merseyesque rock, by the early '80s Kihn and his band found they shared elements of new wave music, and scored their first US hit, "The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)." Kihn had a bigger hit the following year with "Jeopardy," which peaked in the States at number 2. "Jeopardy" brought Kihn two of the highest honors an early eighties act could achieve: MTV put the video into heavy rotation, and Weird Al Yankovic recorded a parody. Kihn has been hard at work over the years, hosting a radio show, writing books and coming up with clever album titles (Kihnspiracy, Unkihntrollable). He has kinhtinued recording through it all, though it has proven difficult for Kihn to recapture the successes of 1982 and '83.
(http://www.80smusiclyrics.com/artists/gregkihnband.htm)
Remember
Greg Kihn Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In every window a light as every night begins
One thing stays on my mind as I look back on the time
I guess it just couldn’t last I feel its fading fast
Do you remember?
Do you surrender?
Do you remember how it feels?
If it all comes back on me, I will run and hide
Sometimes all you’ve got left is your empty pride
Nothing, nothing will ever be the same
Some of the best things fade, some of the worst remain
I can’t turn back the tide
Or show you something inside
Or help you out when you fall
If I can help you at all
Do you remember?
Do you surrender?
Do you remember how it feels?
Do you remember?
Do you surrender?
Do you remember how it feels?
Greg Kihn's "Remember" is a song that reflects on fleeting memories, lost love, and the inability to change the past. The opening lines describe the arrival and departure of a silver bird (an airplane) at night, while lights flicker in every window, signaling the beginning of another night. However, despite the activity around him, the character in the song is preoccupied with memories that he cannot forget. He reflects on the time he spent with someone he loved, but he cannot shake the feeling that their time together was short-lived and that their relationship is slipping away.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more introspective, with the character acknowledging that there are some things that he cannot change or fix. He recognizes that his pride may be the only thing he has left, and that some of the best things in life can fade away, while some of the worst can remain. The character is aware that he cannot turn back time or change what has happened, but he still wants to help those around him in any way he can.
Overall, "Remember" is a poignant song about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of treasuring the moments we have. It also highlights the importance of letting go of the past and embracing the present.
Line by Line Meaning
Silver bird takes off in the night another’s coming in
A plane flies away while another is arriving, signifying the changing nature of life.
In every window a light as every night begins
Life goes on, with each night bringing new opportunities and possibilities.
One thing stays on my mind as I look back on the time
The singer is preoccupied with a particular memory from the past.
I guess it just couldn’t last I feel its fading fast
Despite wanting it to last, the memory is slowly slipping away.
If it all comes back on me, I will run and hide
The artist is afraid of facing the consequences of their actions or the return of the past.
Sometimes all you’ve got left is your empty pride
In difficult situations, pride can be the only thing one has to hold onto.
Nothing, nothing will ever be the same
Life is constantly changing and evolving, nothing remains constant.
Some of the best things fade, some of the worst remain
Things that are positive can disappear while negative things can persist.
I can’t turn back the tide
The artist is unable to change the past or reverse the flow of time.
Or show you something inside
The artist is unable to reveal what is going on within them to another person.
Or help you out when you fall
The singer is limited in their ability to assist someone who is struggling or experiencing difficulty.
If I can help you at all
Despite these limitations, the artist is still willing to offer whatever help they can.
Do you remember? Do you surrender? Do you remember how it feels?
The chorus repeats, asking if the listener remembers the past and how it felt, while also potentially suggesting surrendering to the present or future.
Contributed by Peyton A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.