Memory Act 1

We first hear "Memory" at the very end of Act 1. This version is shorter than the Act 2 version of the song.

Context
Halfway through the Jellicle Ball, the tribe noticed Grizabella watching, and chased her off. At the end of the Ball, Grizabella re-appears to a reprise of Grizabella the Glamour Cat. The younger cats are confused, some reaching out to her in sympathy, some cruelly teasing her, but the adults prevent them from approaching her. All the tribe slink away, leaving Grizabella alone, apart from Old Deuteronomy watching in the distance.

Alone, Grizabella tries to capture some of the magic of the ball, but she's too old, trying to dance is painful, and alone, is pointless. She sings a short version of Memory, but shakes herself as if to regain her strength and dignity. As she is leaving, she stops, and reaches back, as if she knows someone is reaching out to her... Old Deuteronomy is reaching toward her from the far corner of the junkyard. Again, she pulls herself together and leaves.

The Palladium revival added to this scene, giving the star Nicole Scherzinger a few more seconds onstage. Her attempts to dance were extended, with extra music written. Rather than performing as old, stiff and pained, new Grizabella has a vivid scar on her forehead. She gets swept away in her dance, twirling around and laughing until she stumbles and presses her hand to her head as if the scar pains her.

Lyrics
Silence (alt - 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.

Every street-lamp seems to beat A fatalistic warning, Someone mutters, and the street-lamp gutters, And soon it will be morning.

Memory, All alone in the moonlight, I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then. I remember, the time I knew what happiness was, Let the memory live again

Video