The Song Remembers When (song)
Encyclopedia
"The Song Remembers When" is a song released by American country music
singer Trisha Yearwood
. It was the title track and lead single off her third studio album, released in 1993. The song was later covered by Kristin Chenoweth
for her 2005 album As I Am
.
. It was originally recorded by Kathy Mattea
but was dropped from her album in the final stages of production. It was then picked up by Trisha Yearwood, who recorded it as the title track of her third studio album.
The song is a testament to the way that music can instantly trigger a memory that was seemingly forgotten. The woman in the song is waiting for change at a counter when she hears a familiar song. Out of nowhere, she is suddenly reminded of a time when she and a former lover sang along to the song on the radio as they drove through the Rocky Mountains
. She recalls that she tried many ways to rid herself of the memories of that failed romance, only to have them come rushing back in an instant when she hears a song attached to a moment in their time together:
As the song progresses, the woman reveals that, although she can't remember why the relationship failed, the song can. In the end, it becomes a powerful statement that any forgotten memory can be brought back to life for anyone in the world through the power of music.
" and "Hearts in Armor
." "The Song Remembers When" was released in late 1993 as a follow-up. The single became a major hit that year, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart
, and became her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
, peaking at #82. It also reached #4 on the RPM
country charts in Canada.
The single was one of several major hits Yearwood would have over the next couple of years, including: "How Do I Live
," "In Another's Eyes," and "Perfect Love
."
A music video was created using live footage from a televised concert Trisha did to promote the album.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood
Patricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...
. It was the title track and lead single off her third studio album, released in 1993. The song was later covered by Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth
Kristin Chenoweth is an American singer and actress, with credits in musical theatre, film and television. She is best known on Broadway for her performance as Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown , for which she won a Tony Award, and for originating the role of Glinda in the musical...
for her 2005 album As I Am
As I Am (Kristin Chenoweth album)
-Track listing:# It Will Be Me - 3:57# Word of God Speak - 3:15# Because He Lives - 4:56# Abide in Me - 5:09# Borrowed Angels - 4:02# There Will Never Be Another - 3:59# Poor, Wayfaring Stranger - 5:09# Joyful, Joyful - 3:29# The Song Remembers When - 3:55...
.
Story
"The Song Remembers When" is a slow ballad written by Hugh PrestwoodHugh Prestwood
Hugh Prestwood is an American songwriter whose work is primarily in country music. His first hit as a songwriter was "Hard Time for Lovers", which was recorded in 1978 by Judy Collins. Prestwood also wrote "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart", a Number One for Randy Travis in 1990, and a song for...
. It was originally recorded by Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea
Kathleen Alice "Kathy" Mattea is an American country music and bluegrass performer who often brings folk, Celtic and traditional country sounds to her music. Active since 1983 as a recording artist, she has recorded seventeen albums and has charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot...
but was dropped from her album in the final stages of production. It was then picked up by Trisha Yearwood, who recorded it as the title track of her third studio album.
The song is a testament to the way that music can instantly trigger a memory that was seemingly forgotten. The woman in the song is waiting for change at a counter when she hears a familiar song. Out of nowhere, she is suddenly reminded of a time when she and a former lover sang along to the song on the radio as they drove through the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. She recalls that she tried many ways to rid herself of the memories of that failed romance, only to have them come rushing back in an instant when she hears a song attached to a moment in their time together:
-
- After driving out the memory of the way things might have been
- After I'd forgotten all about us
- The song remembers when
As the song progresses, the woman reveals that, although she can't remember why the relationship failed, the song can. In the end, it becomes a powerful statement that any forgotten memory can be brought back to life for anyone in the world through the power of music.
-
- Still, I guess some things we bury are just bound to rise again
- For even if the whole world has forgotten
- The song remembers when
Chart performance and music video
Yearwood was enjoying the success of a string of hit singles from her two prior albums, "Trisha YearwoodTrisha Yearwood (album)
Trisha Yearwood is the eponymous debut album by future country music superstar Trisha Yearwood. It features her first Billboard Hot Country Songs hit "She's in Love with the Boy", which reached the top of the country charts in June of 1991...
" and "Hearts in Armor
Hearts in Armor
Hearts in Armor is the second studio album by country singer Trisha Yearwood.Four of its tracks found spots in the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1992 and 1993: "Wrong Side of Memphis" rose to #5, "Walkaway Joe" to #2, "You Say You Will" to #12, and "Down on My Knees" to #19...
." "The Song Remembers When" was released in late 1993 as a follow-up. The single became a major hit that year, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
, and became her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, peaking at #82. It also reached #4 on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
country charts in Canada.
The single was one of several major hits Yearwood would have over the next couple of years, including: "How Do I Live
How Do I Live
"How Do I Live" is the title of a song written by Diane Warren. It was originally recorded by LeAnn Rimes in 1997 and shortly afterward by Trisha Yearwood...
," "In Another's Eyes," and "Perfect Love
Perfect Love
"Perfect Love" is a single by country music artist Trisha Yearwood that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart....
."
A music video was created using live footage from a televised concert Trisha did to promote the album.
Chart performance
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs | 2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 82 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |