Try To Remember
Original Off Broadway Cast Lyrics
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Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How about love? How about love?
How about love? Measure in love
Seasons of love, seasons of love
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life of a women or a man?
In truths that she learned or in times that he cried
In bridges he burned or the way that she died
It's time now to sing out tho' the story never ends
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love, remember the love
Remember the love, measure in love
Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love, seasons of love
The lyrics of "Try to Remember" by the Original Off Broadway Cast convey the idea that a year can be measured in different ways, but the most meaningful one is through love. The repeated line "Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes" implies the duration of a year, and it sets the context for the following lines, which suggest various ways to measure it. In the first verse, the lyrics suggest that a year can be measured in the different moments that make it up, and those moments can either be happy or sad. The second verse explores other possible ways to measure it, such as events, time, emotions, or conflicts. The chorus ties all these elements together and highlights the idea that love is the most valuable way to measure a year.
The lyricist emphasizes the importance of considering the love in one's life by providing contrasting examples in the bridge. The lyrics suggest that the events or mistakes in life, such as the truths one learns, the bridges one burns, or the way one dies, should not be the only measures of a year. Instead, the song invites the listener to celebrate and remember the love in their life, which is the enduring aspect that can make a year worth living. The final repetition of the chorus confirms the idea that love is what gives meaning to the songs and that the memories of shared love with friends are the most poignant way to measure moments.
Line by Line Meaning
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
That's how long a year is in minutes.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Each of those minutes is an opportunity to create a cherished moment.
How do you measure, measure a year?
How can you quantify the value of a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
Possible ways to quantify moments include the beauty of a sunrise, the warmth of a sunset, the magic of midnight, or the comfort of a cup of coffee.
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
Other ways to measure a year include distance, joyous laughter, and difficult challenges.
How do you measure a year in the life
How do you measure a year in a person's existence?
How about love? How about love?
What if love was the way to measure a year?
How about love? Measure in love
Love may be the most significant way to measure a year.
Seasons of love, seasons of love
Just like the changing of the seasons, love can transform and evolve throughout a year.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand journeys to plan
In a year, there are countless opportunities to plan for new experiences and adventures.
How do you measure the life of a women or a man?
How can you truly measure the impact a person has had on the world?
In truths that she learned or in times that he cried
A person's life can be measured in the lessons they learned and the hardships they overcame.
In bridges he burned or the way that she died
Even painful moments and irreversible mistakes can contribute to how a life is measured.
It's time now to sing out tho' the story never ends
Even though each person's story is ongoing, let's celebrate and acknowledge their journey so far.
Let's celebrate remember a year in the life of friends
Let's recognize the value of each year we have with our loved ones.
Remember the love, remember the love
Above all else, remember the importance of love in one's life.
Remember the love, measure in love
In the grand scheme of things, love may be the most significant measure of one's life.
Measure, measure your life in love
Encouragement to make love the guiding principle in how we measure our lives.
Seasons of love, seasons of love
Just like the changing of the seasons, love can transform and evolve throughout a year.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HARVEY SCHMIDT, TOM JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Merle
Hard to believe that Jerry Orbach left us back in 2004, now a long time ago. Missing you, Jerry, you were an amazing talent and seemed like a genuinely decent man too. RIP.
Rad Gal Tunes
I read that he left love notes for his wife every day.
Johannes Valter di Vizzini
Jerry could do it all--a wonderful singer, comic actor, dramatic actor--he was so very gifted. I "discovered" Jerry from my sister's recording of the Fantasticks when it was performed by our high school, and had a 37 year love affair with my talented late wife--who also adored Jerry and got to perform on TV with him. I can say I knew Jerry all my life one way or another.
Right Citified
Thanks for this. The song is beautiful. So’s Jerry. I remember seeing The Fantasticks in Greenwich Village in my youth. Such a simple and classic theatrical experience. And off-Broadway venues are so small and intimate.
The Last Mindbender
This an absolute masterpiece! My all time favorite version, it just echos memories of love & simplicity...
Joyce
We need more Jerry Orbachs!
kstormgeistgem
i never heard his singing until he was much older... (he was the candle in disney's Beauty and the Beast)
you can hear the promise of what years of training gave him.
some people get reedy, watered down, as they age.
but he did not. he just got more robust and richer.
it's sad that i only Really knew his voice towards the end of his life/career. i wish i would have been on the journey of his performance earlier on. thankfully there are ways of going back and listening now. what an age we live in where even when we've lost somebody of such scope and talent, we are still able to get to know and appreciate them.
Kevin Morrill
Well said.
Hanagloria Edelblum
Nice observation. ❤️
Flannery Monaghan-Morris
I had to look up how old he was when he recorded this…and then found out that he was only 24 years old.