Doonican started performing in his home town and featured in the first ever television broadcast from Waterford. He then joined a band which toured Ireland playing the drums. In 1951 he moved to England to join another group, The Four Ramblers who toured and performed on BBC Radio shows broadcast from factories.
He eventually went solo and had a radio show as well as performing concerts and cabaret. In 1963 he was booked to appear on Sunday Night at the London Palladium. As a result of this performance, he was offered his own show on BBC television, lasting for over twenty years and moving to Saturday as its popularity grew. It featured his relaxed crooner style performance sitting in a rocking chair, as well as a number of comic Irish songs, notably "Paddy McGinty's Goat", "Delaney's Donkey", and "Rafferty's Motor Car", on which he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. He often wore a cardigan which became a trade mark, and was sometimes compared to American singer Perry Como though Doonican has claimed his main influence was Bing Crosby. As a variety show, there were a number of other acts featured and performers such as Dave Allen had early exposure on the show.
The Palladium performance also kick-started his recording career. Between 1964 and 1973 he was rarely out of the UK Singles Chart, his greatest successes including the singles "Walk Tall", "The Special Years", "What Would I Be", "If The Whole World Stopped Loving", and "Morning"; and the albums 13 Lucky Shades of Val Doonican, and Val Doonican Rocks, But Gently. He also sang the theme song to the film, Ring of Bright Water.
He stopped performing in 2009 and spent a lot of his free time in Spain (where he had a second home).
Doonican's daughter wrote two books entitled Wired to the Moon and Fear of Custard under the name Sarah Kavanagh. Both stories are related to the performance entertainment world.
Memories Are Made of This
Val Doonican Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me
Take one fresh and tender kiss
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Add one stolen night of bliss
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
One girl, one boy; some grief, some joy
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Memories are made of this
(of the sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Don't forget a small moon beam
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Fold in lightly with a dream
Your lips and mine, two sips of wine
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Memories are made of this
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Then add the wedding bells, one house where lovers dwell
Three little kids for the flavor, stir carefully through the days
See how the flavor stays These are the dreams you will savor
With His blessings from above
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Serve it generously with love
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
One man, one wife, on love through life
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Memories are made of this
(of the sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Memories are made of this
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me)
Take one fresh and tender kiss
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Add one stolen night of bliss
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
One girl, one boy, some grief, some joy
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Memories are made of this
(of the sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Don't forget a small moon beam
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Fold in lightly with a dream
Your lips and mine, two sips of wine
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Memories are made of this
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Then add the wedding bells, one house where lovers dwell
Three little kids for the flavor. stir carefully through the days
See how the flavor stays
These are the dreams you will savor
With His blessings from above
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Serve it generously with love
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
One man, one wife, on love through life
(I was rover, but now it's over
It was a happy day when you came my way to tell me)
Memories are made of this
(of the sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
You can't beat the memories you gave-a me)
Memories are made of this
(The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me)
The song "Memories Are Made of This" by Val Doonican is a classic, romantic tune about the joy and beauty of making memories with a loved one. The song is made up of a series of images, each one evoking a different aspect of the memories that the singer cherishes. The sweetness of a tender kiss, the excitement of a stolen night of passion, the grief and joy that come with the ups and downs of life, the warmth and love of a family home - all of these are woven together in a rich tapestry of memory that the singer holds dear.
The song's lyrics are full of nostalgia and sentimentality, but they are also grounded in a deep sense of gratitude and appreciation for the love that the singer has experienced. Whether he is reminiscing about the early days of his romance or looking back on a life well-lived with his wife and children, the singer's message is clear: "memories are made of this" - and these cherished memories are what make life worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
The sweet sweet memories you gave-a me
The memories given to me are incomparable and delightful
Take one fresh and tender kiss
Start with a gentle and passionate kiss
Add one stolen night of bliss
Include a night of secret joy and happiness
One girl, one boy; some grief, some joy
Life may have its ups and downs, but it is filled with the joy of companionship
Memories are made of this
These experiences create the cherished memories
Don't forget a small moon beam
Remember to include the magical moments under the moonlight
Fold in lightly with a dream
Blend in the hope and aspirations for the future with grace
Your lips and mine, two sips of wine
Sharing a kiss and a glass of wine create a special moment
Then add the wedding bells, one house where lovers dwell
Build a life together and create a home filled with love
Three little kids for the flavor, stir carefully through the days
Children add richness and depth to the journey of life
See how the flavor stays
Observe how the essence of these memories never fades
These are the dreams you will savor
These memories are what you will hold dear
With His blessings from above
These happy moments are the product of divine intervention
Serve it generously with love
Share these memories and experiences with love and kindness
One man, one wife, on love through life
The enduring love between two individuals is what makes life worth living
Memories are made of this
These memories are what make life special and fulfilling
Lyrics © DEHR FAMILY MUSIC, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Frank Miller, Richard Dehr, Terry Gilkyson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
phil2003ashleigh
Beautiful man in every way. A gentleman and supremely talented. Thanks for the post. Walk tall Val x
vparonto
I can't believe that I never heard of Val Doonican before. What a wonderful, smooth voice! Will look for more songs by him.
Bryan Dale
RIP Val a great Irishman, who entertained throught my childhood, comic or serenader. Thanks for the memoriers
Michael o' sullivan
Lovely song,reminds me of my own wonderful memories of long ago.
Emily Calvo
my parents had all his records and it takes me back to when I was knee high!
mumof3
reminds me of when I was a child, when I thought I would meet a man like this, but I didn't, however happily my daughter did meet a man like this, however I'm still looking!!!!
Cameron Skirving
mum had the world of Val doonican vol 2 on L.P. some lovely songs on that record -are you sincere, remember me, memories are made of this, sleeping at the foot of the bed, I was born ten thousand years ago
Maj-Brith H
I have liked Val D since I heard "Walk tall"!
Cameron Skirving
mum had the world of Val doonican vol 2 on L.P. some lovely songs on that record -are you sincere, remember me, memories are made of this, sleeping at the foot of the bed, I was born ten thousand years ago