“Memory” is a timeless and iconic song from the renowned musical “Cats,” based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This emotive and captivating ballad is sung by the character Grizabella, a once-glamorous but now downtrodden and rejected cat. In this article, we’ll dive into the poignant and evocative lyrics of “Memory” and explore why this song has touched the hearts of audiences for decades.

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

The opening verse sets the scene with vivid imagery, describing a quiet and desolate nighttime setting. The moon is personified, seemingly unaware of the world’s sorrows. The mention of withered leaves and the moaning wind evoke a sense of loneliness and melancholy.

Chorus:

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

The chorus, with its haunting melody, expresses Grizabella’s longing for her past, when she was once beautiful and happy. She yearns to relive those cherished memories, hoping to find solace in the nostalgia of happier times.

Verse 2:

Every streetlamp seems to beat
A fatalistic warning
Someone mutters at the streetlamp gutters
And soon, it will be morning

In this verse, the song delves deeper into the sense of despair and hopelessness. The streetlamps, likened to beating hearts, symbolize the unyielding passage of time. The reference to “morning” implies a new day, but for Grizabella, it only brings the continuation of her hardships.

Chorus:

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:

Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale, cold smell of morning
A streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning

The bridge deepens the atmosphere of desolation, describing burnt-out days and the stale smell of morning. The passing of time is emphasized as the streetlamp dies, signifying the fleeting nature of life and the beginning of a new day without reprieve for Grizabella.

Chorus:

Touch me, it’s so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me, you’ll understand what happiness is
Look, a new day has begun

The final chorus expresses Grizabella’s vulnerability and the longing for connection. She pleads to be touched, hoping someone will see beyond her current state and understand the happiness she once knew. The mention of a new day beginning leaves an open-ended question of whether hope or despair lies ahead.

“Memory” is an emotional and poignant song that captures the essence of “Cats” and the struggles of its character Grizabella. Through its evocative lyrics and haunting melody, the song touches upon themes of nostalgia, longing, and the fleeting nature of happiness. It is a powerful expression of the human desire to hold onto cherished memories while yearning for a brighter future. As one of the most iconic songs in musical theater history, “Memory” continues to resonate with audiences, drawing them into the emotional journey of Grizabella and the world of “Cats.”