Born on the 2nd February 1985 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gardot took up piano and played as a youngster on the nightclub scene of Philadelphia, influenced by jazz, folk, rock, and pop musics. At the age of nineteen she was a fashion student at the Community College of Philadelphia. While cycling in Philadelphia in November 2003 she was hit by a car whose driver had ignored a red traffic light. In the accident she suffered serious head and spinal injuries, and her pelvis was broken in two places. Because of these severe injuries she was confined to her hospital bed for a year. Her musical beginning was prompted by a tending physician who was concerned with her cognitive impairment as a result of head injury sustained in the accident. He believed that music would help her brain injury improve, as it has been known to show remarkable results in improving people's cognitive ability after such trauma.
Following her doctor's suggestion, Gardot made recordings bedside, while still unable to walk, and eventually released the works as an EP: Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions (2005). Gardot's desire to be well, combined with a bit of luck, brought her to the attention of a local radio DJ at the AAA station WXPN (known for launching the careers of artists such as Amos Lee and Norah Jones). Her cognitive powers slowly but surely became pronounced, leading to the independent recording and release of her debut CD, Worrisome Heart, which was reissued in 2007 by Verve records.
Gardot is hypersensitive to light and noise, so wears dark glasses; she also uses a cane to walk. Onstage she requires a special seating unit, and wears a Transcutaneous Electro-Nerve Stimulator, a TENS device, to assist in alleviating her neuralgic muscle pain. Though touring is difficult, she has been performing in major cities on the East Coast of the U.S. to support her recordings. In 2009, working with producer Larry Klein and arranger Vince Mendoza - both known for their work with Joni Mitchell - Gardot followed up her Verve debut with My One and Only Thrill.
In 2012, she released the album The Absence.
You Won't Forget Me
Melody Gardot Lyrics
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I'm part of memories, too wonderful to die
And it will happen that now and then
You'll fall to wonderin' if we should've tried again
You won't forget me on nights like this
The moon will cast upon you the shadow of my kiss
No matter where you are, with whom you are
You won't forget me on nights like this
The moon will cast upon you the shadow of my kiss
No matter where you are, with whom you are
You'll think of me, you won't forget me
Just wait and see, you won't forget me
Ooh, me
Hmm, me
Melody Gardot's "You Won't Forget Me" is a poignant and powerful ballad about a failed relationship that has left an indelible mark on the singer's soul. The song suggests that although time may pass and the singer may fade from memory, the memories of the relationship will always remain. The opening line "You won't forget me though you may try" sets the tone for the rest of the song, conveying the singer's confidence that they have left a lasting impression in the heart of their former lover.
The song is emotionally charged and beautifully written, with lines like "I'm part of memories too wonderful to die" and "You'll fall to wonderin' if we should've tried again" conveying the depth of the singer's emotions and sense of loss. The repeated refrain "You won't forget me on nights like this, the moon will cast upon you the shadow of my kiss" further reinforces the idea that the singer's memory will always be present in the mind of their former lover, whether they want it to be or not.
Overall, "You Won't Forget Me" is a heart-wrenching portrayal of the lingering pain of a failed relationship, and a testament to the power of memory and the human heart. The song is a powerful reminder of the enduring impact that love can have on our lives, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the pain of loss or heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
You won't forget me though you may try
You may attempt to forget me, but I'm unforgettable.
I'm part of memories, too wonderful to die
I'm an integral part of your cherished memories, that will never fade away.
And it will happen that now and then
Occasionally, it will dawn on you
You'll fall to wonderin' if we should've tried again
You'll question if we should have given our relationship another chance.
You won't forget me on nights like this
On nights like these, I'll be hard to forget.
The moon will cast upon you the shadow of my kiss
You'll remember the shadow of my kiss due to the moonlight.
No matter where you are, with whom you are
Regardless of your location or company,
You'll think of me, you won't forget me
You'll recall me, you won't be able to erase me from your memory.
Just wait and see, you won't forget me
You'll realize eventually that I'm unforgettable.
Ooh, me
Refers to the persona of the artist, implying the impact they had on the relationship.
Hmm, me
Implying that the singer is significant enough to remember, even if the listener attempts to forget them.
Writer(s): Goell Kermit, Spielman Fred
Contributed by Alexandra K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.