


Get tickets for CATS - coming to TPAC Nov. We’ll leave it up to you, Nashville (videos below). Longtime lovers of the age-old classic may prefer the version by Elaine Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production of CATS and released a version that was a Top 10 hit in the UK in July 1981.Īnd we can’t rule out Jennifer Hudson, who will portray Grizabella in the musical’s 2019 film adaptation and sang “Memory” in the film’s first trailer released in July 2019.Īs one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous compositions, it’s clear this runaway hit has had a life far beyond the musical.īut the question still remains: Who sang it better?

Others may recall Epica, the Dutch symphonic metal band, putting their spin on it for the 2004 video album We Will Take You With Us. Some may remember Barbara Streisand’s cover (produced by Lloyd Webber himself, and widely regarded as the definitive version) for her 1981 album Memories.īarbra Streisand recorded ‘Memory’ and released it as a single in 1982. By 2006, there were around 600 recorded versions of the song, ranging from easy listening to techno covers. This song clearly has more than nine lives. Unable to be contained to the CATS kingdom, “Memory” has achieved mainstream success far outside of the musical - being covered by over 150 artists ranging from Barry Manilow to Celine Dion. Eliot poems Preludes and Rhapsody on a Windy Night.Īs the climax of the musical and by far its best-known song, the tune is sung primarily by the character Grizabella as a melancholic remembrance of her glamorous past and as a plea for acceptance.īut Grizabella’s not the only one who’s sank their claws into the show’s hit song. 19-24, we thought we’d take a look at the timeless tune to finally answer the question: Who sang it best?Ĭomposed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Trevor Nunn, it was written for the 1981 Broadway show based on the T. Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella and released a single of ‘Memory’, reaching number 6 in the UK charts.Īccording to musicologist Jessica Sternfeld, it is “by some estimations the most successful song ever from a musical.”
