Only a Memory
"Only a Memory" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by The Smithereens | ||||
from the album Green Thoughts | ||||
B-side | "The Seeker" | |||
Released | April 6, 1988 (1988-04-06) | |||
Recorded | Capitol (Hollywood) | |||
Genre | Power pop, alternative rock | |||
Length | 3:39 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) | Pat DiNizio | |||
Producer(s) | Don Dixon | |||
The Smithereens singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Only a Memory" on YouTube | ||||
"Only a Memory" is a song by the American alternative rock group The Smithereens. It is the first single released in support of their second album Green Thoughts.
Background
"Only a Memory" started life during a soundcheck in Madrid on the Especially for You European tour in January 1987. Luckily for frontman Pat DiNizio, the band's roadie was there with his pocket tape recorder when he came up with the intro riff. DiNizio recalled, "[He] heard me scream "Chopper, tape this!!" I would have never remembered it otherwise."[1]
Release
"Only a Memory" was released as the first single from the band's sophomore album, Green Thoughts. The single was the band's most commercially successful single release to that point, topping the US Mainstream Rock Charts and becoming the first Smithereens song to hit the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 92.
In popular culture
On May 18, 2010, the song was made available to download in the Rock Band digital store. The song also appeared in the 1988 baseball film Bull Durham.
Formats and track listing
All songs written by Pat DiNizio, except where noted.
- US 7" single (B-44150)
- "Only a Memory" – 3:39
- "The Seeker" (Pete Townshend) – 3:22
- European 7" single (SMIT 1)
- "Only a Memory" – 3:39
- "Lust for Life" (David Bowie, Iggy Pop) – 5:10
- European 12" single (SMIT T 1)
- "Only a Memory" – 3:39
- "Lust for Life" (David Bowie, Iggy Pop) – 5:10
- "Something New" – 1:53
Charts
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard Hot 100[2] | 92 |
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[3] | 1 |
References
- ^ Best of the Smithereens (Guitar Recorded Versions). Hal Leonard Corporation. 1995. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-793-54453-0.
- ^ "The Smithereens Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
- ^ "The Smithereens Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
External links
- "Only a Memory" at Discogs (list of releases)
- v
- t
- e
- Jim Babjak
- Dennis Diken
- Mike Mesaros
- Pat DiNizio
- Severo Jornacion
- Especially for You
- Green Thoughts
- 11
- Blow Up
- A Date with The Smithereens
- God Save The Smithereens
- Meet The Smithereens!
- Christmas with The Smithereens
- B-Sides The Beatles
- The Smithereens Play Tommy
- 2011
- The Smithereens Play The Beatles Washington, D.C. February 11, 1964 Concert
- The Lost Album
- Girls About Town
- Beauty and Sadness
- Live
- Instant Live: Music Midtown Festival Atlanta, GA 5/1/04
- Extended Versions
- Live in Concert! Greatest Hits and More
- Blown to Smithereens: Best of The Smithereens
- Attack of the Smithereens
- The Best of The Smithereens
- From Jersey It Came! The Smithereens Anthology
- Especially for You - 30th Anniversary
- Covers
- "Blood and Roses"
- "In a Lonely Place"
- "Behind the Wall of Sleep"
- "Strangers When We Meet"
- "Only a Memory"
- "House We Used to Live In"
- "Drown in My Own Tears"
- "A Girl Like You"
- "Blues Before and After"
- "Yesterday Girl"
- "Blue Period"
- "Top of the Pops"
- "Too Much Passion"
- "Miles from Nowhere"