My Gen X Playlist: Memories – Maroon 5

The older I get, the thought of eventually needing memory care in my golden years becomes more of a concern. Our friend’s mother is in an assisted living facility for Alzheimer’s. When you know someone that is experiencing it, shit becomes real.

My dad had short term memory issues. He had difficulty remembering yesterday, but tried to manage this as best he could. He kept a calendar nearby and he would record everything he did that day. I remember watching him staring at his calendar sometimes. It was a clever way to keep tabs on the recent past.

When my dad was released from the hospital, he was discharged to a skilled nursing facility to build strength before coming home. I remember spending days with him keeping him company. His friends sent him get well cards and we would read them together. After a few hours had passed, I grabbed the cards and we’d read them all over again. Each time it was like the first time reading them. My dad would crack the same jokes almost word for word and we would laugh and laugh. I really love that memory. Despite his health concerns, he still could crack a good joke and make me smile.

My dad loved sports and was a great athlete growing up. We spent hours watching baseball while he was in skilled nursing. While his short term memory faded, he could recount sports stories from decades ago. Memory is really weird that way. There can be such a drastic imbalance.

Unfortunately my father didn’t return home from that stay. It makes me sad to think that he is gone, but I consider myself blessed to have spent the time with him before he passed. Even though he struggled towards the end, the memory I hold dear is sharing a laugh and listening to his stories. I miss him dearly but know he continually watches over me.

I can’t say I’m a Maroon 5 fan, but I do like Memories. It’s a catchy song, but has some sad undertones. It’s really a song about loss.

Adam Levine wrote the song in honor of his former manager and best friend, Jordan Feldstein. “I was in diapers with this guy. And he passed away recently, and so this song came to me at a very interesting time,” he explained on the October 7, 2019, episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”. “I filled in the holes with the proper words that I thought would match the experience that I had been going through. It’s very heavy. I have never had a song about anything quite like this.”

Songfacts

There’s probably a 50/50 chance my memory slips when I get older. No, there’s no science behind this stat nor did my doctor tell me anything of the kind. I’m just playing the numbers and using my common sense assessment. I probably need to eat more blueberries. Every little bit helps. If I happen down the same road as my dad, I hope I keep a number of my long term memories. He and I laughing together tops the list. Fingers crossed.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back
Memories bring back you

Tequila drinking, double shot, yeah, I need you
I know this life, it look nice, but it get deeper
I run from reapers, dodge bullets from Glock ninas
I live my life tryin' to prove myself to non-believer
Gotta stop that, the devil talkin', I block that
Got some homies in heaven now that watch my back
For all this pain, we numb it with champagne
Hundred bottles in the club, that's a goddamn shame

Everybody hurts sometimes, everybody hurts someday-ay-ay (Four Hunnid)
But everything gon' be alright, go on raise a glass and say-ay

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back
Memories bring back you
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do

Memories bring back
Memories bring back you

Look, I done lost love, lost 50s, lost dubs
Lost fights, nigga, lost life of loved ones
Lost time, press and rewind, it won't budge
It's alright, you could tell me your truth, I won't judge
I done lost two relationships you could call true
You hit me up and I'm gon' fall through
Telling lies to sound true like it's all you
Learn to love what's imperfect
That's what God do

Everybody hurts sometimes, everybody hurts someday-ay-ay
But everything gon' be alright, go on raise a glass and say-ay

Here's to the ones that we got
Cheers to the wish you were here but you're not
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
Of everything we've been through
Toast to the ones here today
Toast to the ones that we lost on the way
'Cause the drinks bring back all the memories
And the memories bring back
Memories bring back you
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do

Memories bring back
Memories bring back you
Do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do, do-do-do (ooh yeah)

Memories bring back
Memories bring back you
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, do-do

Memories bring back
Memories bring back you