I knew the hardest thing writing this post was deciding which version of Memory to feature at the end. Would I go with the version from Cats the Musical (image above), or another Elaine Page version at the Royal Albert Hall. I even considered The Three Tenors‘ version in Rome, 1990…. You know Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti and the other guy. I decided to go with Elaine’s version (not Elaine from Seinfeld – ‘it’s really you‘) at the Royal Albert Hall. Perhaps you have another version you prefer, which I would love to hear.
I’m enamoured with the lyrics of Memory that Trevor Nunn wrote so I have pasted more than I usually do. Plus, I like to fill in white space with stuff and “The rest is just scribbling and bibbling“. If anyone can guess where that quote is from without referring to the link deserves my highest appreciation. I really mean that.
Andrew Lloyd Webber composed this show tune and for all you young folk out there did some pretty good stuff. He is an English composer and impresario of musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway.
[Verse 1]
Midnight, not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan
[Verse 2]
Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again
[Bridge 1]
Every streetlamp seems to beat
A fatalistic warning
Someone mutters and the streetlamp gutters
And soon
It will be morning
[Verse 3]
Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I mustn’t give in
When the dawn comes, tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin
I have never seen in entirety an Andrew Lloyd Webber production, but I was always a fan of this show piece. To quote Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber: ‘I like it a lot‘. Elaine Page is such a wonderful performer. Her rendition of Bette Midler’s The Rose always wow’d me and her expressions and manner of delivery are simply first class. If you want to hear someone raise the register of voice in an already difficult song to sing then hear Elaine’s version of The Rose.
Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production of Cats and was thus the first to perform the song publicly on stage. Memory was named the Best Song Musically and Lyrically at the 1982 Ivor Novello Awards.
In 2020, Jessie Thompson of the Evening Standard wrote:
“Paige’s version set the standard and enabled Memory to become one of the most recognisable musical theatre songs of all time.“
If you want to see just what a class act Elaine Paige is then watch these videos:
Elaine Paige On Susan Boye. They eventually did sing together in I Know Him So Well.
Updated (12/10/23) – Jeff at Eclectic Music Lover wrote below in the comments:
I saw a touring production of ‘Cats’ in 1985 in Los Angeles and loved it. Looking back, I’m not quite as fond of the musical overall, however, I think “Memory” is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs ever written. I cannot listen to it without tearing up, and the lyrics “I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then. I remember the time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again” really hit hard.
I also love Betty Buckley’s rendition from the original Broadway cast production, which is the one I heard first. Here’s her performance at the 1983 Tony Awards:
References:
1. Memory (Cats Song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Try this version of ‘Memory’ Matt. I’m a huge Barbra Streisand fan, so I love it. However, the Elaine Paige version is just as good, great performer.
When I was writing the article I kind of had Barbara Streisand’s Memory in the back of my mind, but I wanted to focus on Elaine Page who I adore. There is a song by Barbara Streisand and Neil Diamond that used to make my mother fall to bits lol – ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’. I imagine you are familiar with it. A great song. Thanks for the Streisand version.
Love that song! Just like the Bee Gees, there’s not much of the Streisand catalogue that I don’t know about, including her movies! A true superstar!
I watched ‘What’s up Doc’ a lot as a kid. I think that’s what it’s called. I admit I wasn’t a huge fan of hers, but I liked that song ‘Flowers’ and that movie.
That’s right ‘What’s Up Doc? with Ryan O’Neal. Great 70’s movie. Do you mean the song ‘Evergreen’ or ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ with Neil Diamond? I know, Barbra is not to everyone’s taste!
‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’. I know what it is like about not being to everyone’s taste lol.
If it doesn’t alow you to view it, just do a seach, it’s certainly worth a listen!
I’ve heard it many times and could view it which I did. It’s great.
* allow*
I saw a touring production of ‘Cats’ in 1985 in Los Angeles, and loved it. Looking back, I’m not quite as fond of the musical overall, however, I think “Memory” is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs ever written. I cannot listen to it without tearing up, and the lyrics “I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then. I remember the time I knew what happiness was. Let the memory live again” really hit hard.
I also love Betty Buckley’s rendition from the original Broadway cast production, which is the one I heard first. Here’s her performance at the 1983 Tony Awards: https://youtu.be/5mlllRdIfqw
That’s a spectacular version. A more classical interpretation to my ears. What a voice – Betty Buckley. That is some voice. I actually think it surpassed the two versions I considered to present by Elaine. I agree it’s one of the most beautiful tracks. I think Betty Buckley’s version surpasses all the others I had considered. It’s so good. I’m indebted. Thanks Jeff!
Glad you love it too Matt. Like Elaine Paige, Betty Buckley sings with such intense emotion, connecting with us in visceral ways. While I think Barbra Streisand has a superior singing voice from a technical perspective, her version doesn’t possess the deep sense of loss expressed by both Paige and Buckley.
I differ on Streisand having the superior singing voice between Page and Buckley. The version you presented to me is just so classically fine trained. You can teach that. Buckley hits the ball out of the park with ‘Touch me’…But it’s down to perception. I agree on the sense of loss by those versions by Page and Buckley.