The Memory Remains

The Memory Remains
Metallica feat. Marianne Faithfull
publication	November 10, 1997
length	4:39
Genre (s)	Hard rock , heavy metal
text	J. Hetfield , L. Ulrich
music	Bob Rock , J. Hetfield, L. Ulrich
album	ReLoad

The Memory Remains (English for: "the memory remains" ) is a song by the US metal band Metallica . The song is the first single from their seventh studio album ReLoad and was released on November 10, 1997. The British singer Marianne Faithfull can be heard as a guest musician on the piece .

content

The song is about a celebrity who refuses to admit that her successful career has come to an end. She goes mad at the thought of it and holds onto the memories that last forever as happiness and fame fade.

James Hetfield originally sang the song completely himself, but was brought to the attention of Bob Rock on Marianne Faithfull, whose "smoky and weathered voice" fit the song perfectly. Her words in the outro "Say yes, at least say hello" allude to the last film with Marilyn Monroe Misfits - Not socially acceptable.

production

James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, both of whom are responsible for the lyrics, produced the song together with Canadian music producer Bob Rock .

Music video

The music video for The Memory Remains was directed by Paul Andersen. It pursues a surreal concept of antigravity and shows the band playing on a large, swinging platform that appears to be turning upside down. The optical effect is created through the use of a so-called “witch swing”, also known as Mad House , in which a complete room can be rotated longitudinally around the platform with the musicians. This creates the impression that the band is playing their piece in all registers and the musicians can defy gravity.

Meanwhile, Marianne Faithfull sings in a dark corridor and turns the crank of a barrel organ with which she seems to control the swinging platform.

single

Versions

US single

1. The Memory Remains - 4:39
2. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Havent 'Heard It Yet Mix) - 4:39

International Single Part 1

1. The Memory Remains - 4:39
2. Fuel for Fire (work in progress with different lyrics) - 4:41
3. Memory (demo) - 6:41

International Single Part 2

1. The Memory Remains - 4:39
2. King Nothing (Tepid Mix) - 5:07
3. The Outlaw Torn (Unencumbered by Manufacturing Restrictions Version) - 10:48

EP (Japan)

1. The Memory Remains - 4:39
2. Fuel for Fire (work in progress with different lyrics) - 4:41
3. King Nothing (Tepid Mix) - 5:07
4. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Havent 'Heard It Yet Mix) - 4:39
5. Memory (demo) - 6:41
6. The Outlaw Torn (Unencumbered by Manufacturing Restrictions Version) - 10:48

Chart successes and awards

Chart positions Explanation of the data

Singles

The Memory Remains   DE 20th 11/17/1997 (9 weeks)   AT 20th 11/30/1997 (7 weeks)   CH 30th 11/23/1997 (5 weeks)   UK 13 11/22/1997 (4 weeks)   US 28 11/29/1997 (19 weeks)

The Memory Remains rose to number 20 in the German single charts on November 17, 1997 and stayed in the Top 100 for nine weeks. In the United States, the song was ranked 28th and stayed in the charts for 19 weeks. The single was particularly successful in Finland, where it topped the charts.

The song was awarded a gold record for more than 35,000 sales in Australia .

country	Awards	Sales
Australia	gold	35,000
All in all	1 × gold	35,000

Web links

• Lyrics with interpretations on genius.com (English)
• Lyrics translation on golyr.de
• Music video The Memory Remains on youtube.com

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Lyrics
2. ↑ Interview by James Hetfield on the song
3. ↑ Chart positions: DE AT CH UK US
4. ↑ Chart tracking The Memory Remains on officialcharts.de
5. ↑ International chart following The Memory Remains