Story Behind The Song
Throughout the history of the band we have had many songs that toy around with key changing, in particular we like the interplay between major and minor. In "Remember" that idea is taken to a new extreme. The first moments of the song are definitely in D-minor but then slowly elements are brought in to change it. The vocal sings an F# in the verse which is the major third. By the time the chorus hits, the band is playing a full D-major chord instead of D-minor. At the end of the chorus, on the lines "remain, always", we're in both major and minor simultaneously. The instrumentation has switched back to D-minor but the vocals are in D-major. You can hear the tension between the F# in the vocals and the F-natural in the guitar. Another interesting musical element to this song is the section that comes right after each chorus. Similar to the polytonality of the harmonic structure, we have a polyrhythm when the drummer continues playing in 4/4 time while the rest of the instrumentation is playing in 5/4.
Song Description
This song is a reflection of a journey. It is about "remembering" the steps on the path to the attainment of inner peace after having gone through a turbulent relationship. You say "life is but a dream", understanding that this human life is not the absolute level of reality but only relatively true. You know now that the physical world we experience as human beings is a merely a construct of mind fortified by senses, a beautiful illusion manifested for the benefit of the collective consciousness, so that the Universe, through us, can experience love as self. Having experientially realized this you are no longer questioning. You say, "I can guide you by the hand; I can make you realize how you and I remain, always". This certainty comes from having passed through your journey and living now in the state of clarity which accompanies attunement to higher vibrations of consciousness.
| Song Length |
4:19 |
Genre |
Rock - Alternative, Rock - Modern |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Fuming, Anxious |
Subject |
Dysfunctional Relations, Dreams |
| Similar Artists |
The Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
There are days when I'd rather not be
Anything at all, when I can not remember what I am
And in this dream I can see what is real to me now
We are in different worlds you and I
You are me, this I know
Oh and I can not take on more and more
No and I can not remember what it was
No I can't remember
I don't remember lies
I don't remember sacrifice
I know I belong I can leave
I can show I concede I've been wrong
And if you want I can make you understand
And if you want I can make you realize
And if you want I can guide you by the hand
And if you want I can make you realize how you and I remain, remain always
Row this boat gently and merrily
For this dream you won't remember once it's gone
You ask where is it written down these things that I say
It's written everywhere in everything
You are me, you must know
Oh and you must not take this on all alone
No you can not remember what it was
No you can't remember
I don't remember lies
I don't remember sacrifice
I know I belong I can leave
I can show I concede I am wrong
And if you want I can make you understand
And if you want I can make you realize
And if you want I can guide you by the hand
And if you want I can make you realize how you and I remain, remain always