Most renditions seem to neglect how this is sung by an old cat, nostalgic for the old days... it's really not about singing with a powerful voice. Paige nails it.
I think what makes Elaine Paige's rendition the ultimate one is how she balances her voice, performance and emotion so well. She has an amazing voice, but doesn't use it to it's full here, because that's not what's needed, she offsets it with the understanding of who is supposed to be singing it, a grizzled old cat, one that's wracked with emotion, sadness, but still has hope and love. She understand the song and the role. She doesn't just come out and sing the song, she performs it, as the title says. Perfect.
What a beautiful description of what Miss Paige does here. When you described an old cat that still has hope and love, you truly touched my heart. I never thought of the song in that way. I'm not sure of exactly what I thought. I was always so impressed by the belting of "Tooooooouuuuuccccchhhhh Meee! I never thought of the deeper meaning. I'm not expressing myself well at all but I wanted you to know that you opened my mind and heart today. Thank you!
Agreed, Betty Buckley's version doesn't have the same emotional vulnerability and instead seems too controlled and cold. Buckley also ad libs the timing a bit too much. Though much of this will be due to the director's vision, not just the singer's personal style. Whereas for the role of Norma Desmond, Buckley's style works better than Paige's.
she's not even on the musical stage in costume or anything just simply performing the song for an audience in a hall and Elaine just takes herself into character. She probably didn't have to in this performance but she did it anyway since it's so natural. The body language, facial expressions, voice EVERYTHING. perfection..
In 1981, I saw the original production of CATS, starring Brian Blessed, Wayne Sleep, and Elaine Page. It was simply fantastic, and Elaine Page was absolutely fabulous. It was one of those performances that stays in your memory forever.
Me too, absolutely fabulous. I remember Brian sitting at the front of the Stage throughout the interval talking & laughing with any members of the audience who wanted to come up & talk with him. What stars what talent.
The fact that as soon as she sang "Midnight" the audience started clapping really shows you something about how incredible Elaine Paige is, and how iconic her Griz was.
Midnight not a sound from the pavement Has the moon lost her memory? She is smiling alone In the lamplight, the withered leaves collect at my feet And the wind begins to moan Memory, all alone in the moonlight I can dream of the old days I was beautiful then I remember the time I knew what happiness was Let the memory live again Every streetlamp seems to beat A fatalistic warning Someone mutters and the street lamp gutters And soon It will be morning Daylight I must wait for the sunrise I must think of a new life And I mustn''t give in. When the dawn comes Tonight will be a memory too And a new day will begin Burnt out ends of smoky days The stale cold smell of morning A streetlamp dies; another night is over Another day is dawning Touch me! It''s so easy to leave me All alone with the memory Of my days in the sun If you touch me, you''ll understand what happiness is Look, and new day has begin.
Ive never seen CATS but I know each image as I'm a old Street Cat myself a StreetTiger and this is bringing happy tears to my eyes I won't stop believing that there's a new way.
One of my favorite Grizabella traits that Elaine Page pulls off best is the reminiscent smile at the line "i can smile at the old days" Its a subtle, genuine happy expression as she remembers how life used to be, yet soon trails off as she knows its only her past memory
@@dale7226 I think they mean that everyone else thinks this song is only about having a powerful voice. But what makes it so especial is the vulnerability and the sorrow Elaine manages to show (it’s all about acting really)
As someone who suffered from depression because of touch starved 3:12 hits my heart so hard. I felt that emotion, I've gone through it. When I listen to it again and I though I was back in that state of desperation. A phenomenal singer and actor.
I've been watching videos all night of people singing this song and I swear no one can beat her... She just puts so much emotion into the song its amazing
Julie Hemmings Betty Buckley is the only other woman who has ever mirrored Elaine’s level of perfection on this song. However, Elaine sells the entire package, and always has. Betty is simply pure power. Both are incredible performers. Watch Betty’s performance at the 1983 Tony Awards. It’s beautifully done as well.
So complete, so perfect. The female musical star against whom all others must be measured. Unequalled in her diction, musicality and acting. Perfection.
To witness this live must have been incredible. You can see the love and respect she has for the song and the character, she literally imbues it. Simply outstanding
If only I could have this exact rendition in costume with the cast ... I noted there seems to be tears welling up in Elaine Paige's eyes in the last close-up at the end of the song. She doesn't hold back anything ! It also appears she owns, Royal Albert Hall. I was fortunate to see her live on a cruise ship several years ago.
David Tindall beautiful singer and a fantastic actress, but for me it’s not the same as when Elaine does it. Like something’s missing. Either way it’s all personal
When Cats the musical first came out, I really didn't understand the meaning behind it. So many memories later, I get it all too well. I'm now just an old Grizabella hoping for a new day. So if you know or have an old Grizabella in your life, give her just a little pat on the head or a hug to let her know someone still cares!
Her version is the only one that makes me really feel something, and in fact makes me cry. The way she sings it embodies the character she portrayed. She made Grizabella relatable.
I was not expecting her vocals to explode at the end like that. I’m only vaguely familiar of her work because I’m not a Brit but now I know why she is so highly regarded. Bravooo
My dad didn’t like this musical when it premiered, but he admits that he LOVED this song. Like, it made him cry and cry and cry when he saw it performed. And I’m sure that this is why the show has been so successful for so long. Whether you love the whole show or not, Memory resonates with almost everyone on a deep, visceral level that’s almost impossible to explain.
I like her performance the best, she just carries so much regret and longing for bygone days in her voice, that really follows the lyrics. Performances that really sell the emotional weight always impress me more than a technically perfect one.
Just... Everything about her. The voice, the facial expressions... And her eyes. She plays Grizabella so wonderfully. Won't be anyone who can match or beat her. I always get chills and tears at the climax. Makes me wonder if she is channeling personal experiences whenever she is performing this song.
I saw a touring production of Cats in 1987. When Grizabella hit the high note the woman sitting in front of me jumped 2 feet. I guess she had never heard the song before to know what was coming.
My dad used to play this song from a cassette. He has a large collection of cassettes and lost a large portion when we moved. Glad to find these songs on RU-vid!
Elaine reigns on this role! Your emotion and dedication to this song is such a great learning experience for those who just sing to sing it but needing to connect to the lyrics. Master class at its best.
Wow. I din't think anyone could do this song better than Betty Buckley does, but Paige made me hear the words instead of just sinking into a fabulous voice. I wish I could have seen Paige perform it.
Elaine is amazing, beyond amazing! Even without the cat makeup, she gets into character and you can feel that longing she feels for those days of yesteryear
Memory sang by Elaine was the first musical aria I heard on the radio as a teenager. I remember this moment as of perfect beauty. This aria made me a better person (and my love for musical theater only grows 💛).
I've heard this lady's name before. I thought that I'd finally check out who she is. I'm glad that I did. She's amazing ! I've heard this song before, but never knew that she was the one that sang it. My name is Elaine too.
I love the conductor of the orchestra he goes absolutely ape-S when she sings reach out and touch me you will know what happiness is, like give it all you got.
One of the great mezzo Sopranos...So many have sung this, Barbara Streisand does a very fine job, but no one I've ever heard sings it with the passion of Elaine. . This is her song and always will be..
