CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#69 MEMORY

BARBRA STREISAND

(1981)

Writers: Andrew Lloyd Webber, T. S. Eliot & Trevor Nunn

In 1981, a new compilation of past Barbra Streisand hits, entitled 'Memories', was issued. Among the songs from her previous albums were #1 singles such as "The Way We Were", 'Evergreen", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" -a chart topping duet with Neil Diamond- and "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)", a #1 duet with Donna Summer. Streisand recorded 3 new tracks for inclusion on this collection; of which "Memory" was 1.
The song was based on poems by T. S. Eliot. Andrew Lloyd Webber drew inspiration from these works to create the musical "Cats". The show had opened in London's West End the same year as Streisand cut her version of the big number from the production: "Memory" . The song is performed by Grizabella, the fallen Glamour Cat. Elaine Paige famously portrayed the character in London. It remains 1 of her signature songs.
Lloyd Webber himself produced Streisand's interpretation. In 1982, the track was issued as a single. That year, the show premiered on Broadway. Interestingly, Streisand's remake charted higher in Britain -where it reached #34- than in America. Nevertheless, the lush cover version may well have made her 1985 release 'The Broadway Album' a no-brainer. 

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.

A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.