"And You Don't Remember" is the second track from Mariah's sophomore album Emotions. The song was released on September 17, 1991 through Columbia Records. "And You Don't Remember" was written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff.
Background[]
"And You Don't Remember" is one of the album’s more gospel infused songs. The song features organ chord changes and holds minimal production in order to give the vocals a more “raw and sixties feel.”[1] The song also includes whistles notes which are similar to the notes used in the song "Love Takes Time" The song was featured on Mariah's advertisement for Sony MiniDisc which was aired in Japan in 1991.
Song's Meaning[]
"And You Don't Remember" is a song about a failed relationship, with Carey feeling trapped in their memories of their past love. The lyrics describe shattered dreams and bitter feelings, as the narrator feels stranded in their loneliness. The chorus repeats the idea that their former partner has forgotten the love they once shared, with the narrator recalling how they used to melt together and how they used to be in love. The bridge reflects on the narrator's own naivety in letting their former partner into their heart. Overall, the song is a sad reflection on the end of a relationship and the lingering pain of unrequited love.
Critical reception[]
In Chris Nickson's unauthorized biography he states that: “And You Don’t Remember” allowed Mariah’s gospel side to show. Gliding silkily over organ chord changes, and rising to a heartbroken, much rawer chorus, the sad melody reflected the words—a story of being duped and then forgotten by a boyfriend, one of those men who obviously promises the world, then immediately goes on to the next girl. These two opening tracks showed that this album, for all its nineties instrumentation and technology, was going to achieve what Mariah had hoped. It would have a sixties and seventies feel—not only the songs themselves, but the way they were performed. Except for three cuts where Mariah had collaborated with others, she was entirely responsible for all the vocal arrangements (she’d worked with her co producers on the instrumental arrangements). It was here, more than anywhere, that her influence showed—in the backgrounds, with their sweet, high harmonies that recalled black church choirs or the enthusiastic sounds of the young Motown ballads.[2]
Video[]
Lyrics[]
Shattered dreams
Cut through my mind
Tragically our love has died
Memories confine my head
Bitterly I face the end
[Pre-Chorus]
Trustingly, I gave my soul to you
I let you inside
Believing your lies
[Chorus]
And you don't remember
Every time you told me
You were mine forever
For eternity
And you don't remember
How you used to hold me
How we'd melt together
How you needed me
How we used to be in love
[Verse 2]
Stranded here
In nothingness
With only tears
And loneliness
[Pre-Chorus]
Foolishly, I gave my soul to you
I let you inside
Believing your lies
[Chorus]
And you don't remember
(And you don't remember)
Every time you told me
(Every time you told me)
You were mine forever
For eternity
And you don't remember
(And you don't remember)
How you used to hold me
(How you used to hold me)
How we'd melt together
How you needed me
How we used to be
[Bridge]
Helplessly, I fell so deep
I was so naive to let you in
Why did I let you in
To my heart
[Chorus]
And you don't remember
(Every time you told me)
Anything that you told me
You were mine forever
For eternity
Yes, you will
I know you don't remember
(I know you don't remember)
How you used to hold me
(How you used to hold me)
How we'd melt together, together
How you needed me
Trivia[]
- This song includes whistle notes
- Mariah has never performed this song live
- This song was produced by Mariah Carey
- This song was produced by Walter Afanasieff
- This song is the second track from "Emotions"
| Emotions | |
|---|---|
| September 17, 1991 • 46:58 • Columbia Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Emotions • And You Don't Remember • Can't Let Go • Make It Happen • If It's Over • You're So Cold • So Blessed • To Be Around You • Till the End of Time • The Wind |
| Scrapped | Can You Hear Me |
| Artists | |
| Mariah Carey | |
References[]
[[Category:Released Songs