Kent attended Newark Academy in Livingston, New Jersey. She graduated with a Degree in Comparative Literature from Sarah Lawrence College in New York, and moved to England after her graduation. While studying at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she met tenor saxophonist, Jim Tomlinson, whom she married on 9 Aug 1991.
Discography:
"Close Your Eyes" (1997), "The Tender Trap" (1998), "Let Yourself Go: Celebrating Fred Astaire" (2000),
"Dreamsville" (2001), "Brazilian Sketches" (2001), "In Love Again: The Music of Richard Rodgers" (2002),
"The Boy Next Door" (2003), "Collection" (2001), "Collection II" (2003), "Collection III" (2006),
"Breakfast On The Morning Tram" (2007), "Breakfast on the Morning Tram" (2008, limited edition boxset CD/DVD),
"Raconte-Moi..." (2010) , "Hushabye Mountain" (2011) , "THE CHANGING LIGHTS" (2013)
Kent has also featured in Tomlinson's 2006 album, The Lyric, which won "Album of the Year" at the 2006 BBC Jazz Awards.
Awards: British Jazz Award (2001) and BBC Jazz Award for Best Vocalist (2002).
Kent's album, Breakfast on the Morning Tram, was a nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 51st Grammy Awards (2009).
Trivia: Novelist Kazuo Ishiguro wrote the liner notes to Kent's 2003 album, The Boy Next Door, and also co-wrote four of the songs on the 2007 album, Breakfast on the Morning Tram.
Sites: Discogs
Thanks For The Memory
Stacey Kent Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of sentimental verse,
Nothing in my purse,
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse,
How lovely it was.
Of Schubert's Serenade,
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid,
How lovely it was.
We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing.
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
I love your dress.
Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.
Thanks for the memory
Of tinkling temple bells,
Alma mater yells
And Cuban rum
And towels from
The very best hotels,
Oh how lovely it was.
Thanks for the memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Hash with Dinty Moore,
That pair of gay pajamas
That you bought
And never wore.
We said goodbye with a highball,
Then I got as high as a steeple,
But we were intelligent people,
No tears, no fuss,
Hooray for us.
Strictly entire nous,
Darling, how are you?
And how are all
Those little dreams
That never did come true?
Awfully glad I met you,
Cheerio and toodle-oo
Thank you,
Thank you so much.
In Stacey Kent's "Thanks for the Memory," the singer reflects on the ups and downs of a past relationship. The song begins by thanking the memory of sentimental verse, despite having nothing in her purse, and chuckles at the preacher's words during the wedding ceremony of "for better or for worse." Then the song transitions into memories of specific events and moments shared with her former partner, including Schubert's Serenade, traffic jams, and bills they never paid. The song acknowledges the little things that made the relationship special, but also touches on the fact that they were "parted by only a slight thing," wondering if they made the right decision to end things. The song ends with the singer saying goodbye with dignity, and reflecting on the memories they shared.
Overall, the lyrics of "Thanks for the Memory" are a poetic and reflective examination of a past relationship. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia for the good times, though they also acknowledge the struggles and conflicts that ultimately led to the end of the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Thanks for the memory
Thank you for the memories we created together
Of sentimental verse
Thank you for the emotional and meaningful moments we shared
Nothing in my purse
Thank you for the times where we didn't have much, but still found happiness together
And chuckles
Thank you for the laughter and joy you brought into my life
When the preacher said For better or for worse
Thank you for the day we said our wedding vows
How lovely it was.
Thank you for making it a beautiful memory
Of Schubert's Serenade
Thank you for the romantic moments we shared listening to music
Little things of jade
Thank you for the small but meaningful things we exchanged
And traffic jams
Thank you for making the less exciting moments enjoyable by being there with me
And anagrams
Thank you for the creative and fun activities we did together
And bills we never paid
Thank you for the times we overlooked our financial responsibilities and lived in the moment
How lovely it was.
Thank you for making it a beautiful memory
We who could laugh over big things
Thank you for the times we could find humor in even the most challenging situations
Were parted by only a slight thing.
Thank you for being there with me even though we had to overcome some obstacles along the way
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Thank you for always making me think and question decisions we made together
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
Thank you for accepting the ups and downs of life and our relationship
I love your dress.
Thank you for always looking beautiful and making my heart skip a beat
Of faults that you forgave
Thank you for being forgiving and understanding when I made mistakes
Of rainbows on a wave
Thank you for admiring the beauty in the world and bringing positivity into our relationship
And stockings in the basin
Thank you for the intimate and personal moments we shared together
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you for loving me even when I wasn't at my best
Thank you so much.
Thank you for making these moments special and unforgettable
Of tinkling temple bells,
Thank you for the memories we shared exploring new places and cultures
Alma mater yells
Thank you for the fun and spirited times we shared supporting our school or university
And Cuban rum
Thank you for the times we enjoyed a good drink together
And towels from the very best hotels,
Thank you for the luxurious memories we shared traveling and exploring the world together
Oh how lovely it was.
Thank you for making it a beautiful memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Thank you for the cozy moments we shared together
Hash with Dinty Moore,
Thank you for the simple and comforting meals we enjoyed together
That pair of gay pajamas,
Thank you for the fun and playful times we shared, even in our sleepwear
That you bought and never wore.
Thank you for always being thoughtful and making gestures that showed you cared
We said goodbye with a highball,
Thank you for the fun and festive moments we shared together
Then I got as high as a steeple,
Thank you for the wild and crazy moments we shared together
But we were intelligent people,
Thank you for the intellectual conversations we shared and the mutual respect we had for each other
No tears, no fuss,
Thank you for the way we ended things, with grace and maturity
Hooray for us.
Thank you for all of the wonderful memories we created, we should celebrate that
Strictly entire nous,
Thank you for the moments where we were truly present and engaged in each other's company
Darling, how are you?
Thank you for always showing care and concern for me
And how are all those little dreams,
Thank you for being there with me to support my aspirations and goals, big or small
That never did come true?
Thank you for being by my side through the disappointments and setbacks
Awfully glad I met you,
Thank you for coming into my life and making it so much better
Cheerio and toodle-oo
Thank you for the memories, goodbye for now
Thank you,
Thank you for everything
Thank you so much.
Thank you for everything, more than you can imagine
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind