Memories are powerful. Remembering past successes and happy moments can boost our mood.
Thinking about good times can make us feel better in life. To put it simply, recalling fond memories of events, situations, or people can bring us joy and comfort when we need it most.
Music helps us go back in time and relive those memories. Certain songs act like time machines, holding the feelings of our experiences in their words and tunes.
In this playlist, we’ve put together 20 great songs about memories and good times.
Contents
- 20 Songs About Memories And Good Times
- 1. “Memories” by Maroon 5
- 2. “Memories” By Elvis Presley
- 3. “(You Want to) Make a Memory” by Bon Jovi
- 4. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
- 5. “When We Were Young” By Adele
- 6. “Good Old Days” by Macklemore
- 7. “Memories” by Shawn Mendes
- 8. “Every Mile A Memory” By Dierks Bentley
- 9. “Take Your Memory With You” by Vince Gill
- 10. “Hold Onto The Memories” By Corey Tynan
- 11. “I Go Back” By Kenny Chesney
- 12. “Remember The Time” By Michael Jackson
- 13. “Senior Year” By Randy Houser
- 14. “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” By Boyz II Men
- 15. “Remember You Young” By Thomas Rhett
- 16. “Making Memories Of Us” By Keith Urban
- 17. “Memories” By Weezer
- 18. “Memory” By Barbra Streisand
- 19. “Yesterday Once More” By Carpenters
- 20. “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
- Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
20 Songs About Memories And Good Times
1. “Memories” by Maroon 5
“Memories” by Maroon 5 is a song that reflects on cherished moments from the past and pays tribute to the memories of a loved one who has passed away.
The lyrics emphasize how memories can keep a person alive in thoughts and hearts. The line, “And the memories bring back, memories bring back you,” directly expresses the idea that memories have the power to bring someone back in spirit.
The song also conveys the idea that even simple acts or objects can trigger a flood of memories. It mentions raising a glass and toasting to those who are no longer here, acknowledging the role of drinks in bringing back the memories of everything they’ve been through.
2. “Memories” By Elvis Presley
“Memories” is a song by Elvis Presley released in 1969 as part of his album. The song is all about reminiscing and looking back at past experiences. As the lyrics say, memories are like precious mementos “pressed between the pages of my mind” and they age like fine wine.
The singer reflects on quiet moments when memories come to mind, like golden leaves falling gently to the ground in autumn. These memories evoke feelings of sweetness and nostalgia. Lyrics like “Of holding hands and red bouquets” and “And twilight trimmed in purple haze” paint a vivid picture of the cherished moments being remembered.
Throughout the song, the idea is that memories are something to cherish and keep, and they continue to sweeten with time, just like wine.
3. “(You Want to) Make a Memory” by Bon Jovi
“(You Want to) Make a Memory” by Bon Jovi is a heartfelt ballad that explores the idea of revisiting a past relationship and the desire to create meaningful memories. The song was inspired by guitarist Richie Sambora’s personal challenges at the time.
In the lyrics, the narrator and his former partner reconnect, and it feels like they are reliving the past. They are sipping wine and reminiscing, trying to solve the mysteries of life together. The song conveys the joy of seeing a loved one smile after a long absence and the desire to make the most of the moment.
The narrator urges his partner not to leave and to stay with him. That way, they can stay in the present and cherish the the opportunity to make new memories together. He sings, “You wanna make a memory? You wanna steal a piece of time?”
4. “I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan
“I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan is a deeply emotional ballad that explores the theme of memories in the context of past relationships. Released in 1995 and featured on the soundtrack of the film The Brothers McMullen, the song carries a sense of longing and nostalgia.
In the lyrics, the narrator expresses a heartfelt plea, asking if her loved one will remember her in return, with lines like “I will remember you, Will you remember me?” This question underscores the significance of memories in preserving connections with people who have touched our lives.
The narrator reflects on the good times shared with the loved one and acknowledges that those moments slipped away when things took a difficult turn.
5. “When We Were Young” By Adele
Adele’s “When We Were Young” is an emotional song that explores the themes of nostalgia, reminiscing, and the power of memories. The song, released by Adele in 2015, encapsulates the feeling of encountering loved ones and being instantly transported back to the past.
In the lyrics, the narrator describes the enchantment of seeing someone she used to know and how that person feels like home and a dream come true. She dwells upon the passage of time and the changes that come with age, expressing a longing to go back to the days “when we were young,” a time when life felt less complicated.
In the line “Let me photograph you in this light, In case it is the last time,” Adele is hoping to freeze a moment in time and capture it forever.
6. “Good Old Days” by Macklemore
“Good Old Days” by Macklemore, featuring Kesha, released in 2017, is a heartfelt song that carries a message of appreciating the present moment while also cherishing the memories created along the way.
The song reflects on the past with a sense of longing and regret. The narrator expresses the wish that someone had told them that the moments they are living through now would someday be cherished as “the good old days.” This sentiment is echoed in the lines, “I wish somebody would have told me babe, Some day, these will be the good old days.”
Macklemore and Kesha share their personal experiences and reflect on their lives before fame, thinking about the struggles they faced and the lessons they learned. The song emphasizes that all the experiences, both good and bad, are valuable chapters in their lives.
7. “Memories” by Shawn Mendes
“Memories” by Shawn Mendes, released in 2015, is a song that delves into nostalgia and the bittersweet emotions associated with reflecting on the past.
The lyrics open with the narrator waking up to the sound of her partner’s footsteps, a seemingly simple moment that becomes a treasured memory, as heard in the lines, “When I wake up to your footsteps, As you get up out of bed, They make a song that sounds so simple, But it dances in my head.”
The song conveys how these small, everyday moments can create a melody in one’s head, a perfect and enduring memory that gets them through the day. The narrator longs for a future with her partner, a forever that won’t ever fade away.
The singer expresses the idea of holding on to these precious memories and writing their story together, as seen in the lines, “Let’s write our story, And let’s sing our songs, Let’s hang our pictures on the wall.”
8. “Every Mile A Memory” By Dierks Bentley
“Every Mile a Memory” by Dierks Bentley, featured on his 2006 album “Long Trip Alone,” is a song that reflects on the significance of relationships, particularly in the context of constant travel and being away from loved ones.
The lyrics of the song describe how every journey, every mile traveled, evokes memories that are closely tied to specific locations, as heard in lines like “Country roads, Old theater marquee signs.” Each place serves as a catalyst, bringing back past experiences and emotions.
The narrator mentions various settings, such as parking lots and billboards flying by, each of which triggers a memory associated with his loved ones.
Even though he’s on the road, the beautiful landscapes and scenes he encounters make him feel as if she’s with him in spirit, as expressed in lines like “Like a freight train rollin’ through my dreams, Every mile, a memory.”
9. “Take Your Memory With You” by Vince Gill
“Take Your Memory With You” by Vince Gill is a song that explores the pain and difficulty of dealing with a breakup. Released as part of his album in 1992, the lyrics convey the narrator’s emotional turmoil as he grapples with the end of a relationship.
In the song, the narrator realizes that his partner seems to have moved on and is pretending that nothing has changed, as heard in the lines, “I can read the writing on the wall, You pretend that nothing’s changed at all.”
However, he is left with the memories and the pain of the breakup. He makes a simple request before she leaves him: that she takes their shared experiences and feelings with her.
10. “Hold Onto The Memories” By Corey Tynan
“Hold Onto the Memories” by Corey Tynan, released in 2010 from his album “On My Own,” is a song that captures the essence of letting go of the past while looking towards the future.
The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and the narrator’s struggle to release the memories that have shaped him, as heard in the opening lines, “Memories fade, but they’re never lost, Colors change with time and change of heart.”
The song reflects the narrator’s desire to keep his memories close and to have them alongside as he embarks on a new phase of life. He sings, “If I hold onto the memories and use them to guide me, Will you be right here beside me, Everything I know is behind me.”
11. “I Go Back” By Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney’s 2004 single “I Go Back” reflects on the power of music to trigger memories from different stages of life. In the song, the narrator mentions various songs that evoke specific moments and feelings from his past.
The lyrics begin with “Jack and Diane,” a song that paints a picture of the narrator’s life and dreams, with lines like “Jack and Diane painted a picture of my life and my dreams.” This song helps him make sense of the world.
He also recalls a two-toned Chevy truck, his first love, and carefree moments by the levy, singing, “An’ I go back to a two-toned short bed Chevy, Drivin’ my first love out to the levy.” These memories highlight how music can transport us back to cherished experiences.
12. “Remember The Time” By Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s 1992 song “Remember the Time” is a classic that recalls a past romantic relationship. In the lyrics, the narrator invites the listener, presumably a girl from his past, to reminisce about the good times they once shared.
The song begins with a sense of longing and nostalgia as the narrator asks, “Do you remember when we fell in love?” This line serves as a heartfelt plea for the listener to revisit the joy and love they experienced during their past relationship. It’s an invitation to relive those precious moments from the past.
Throughout the song, the narrator continues to ask if the listener remembers various aspects of their relationship, such as how it all began and the special times they shared together.
13. “Senior Year” By Randy Houser
In Randy Houser’s song “Senior Year,” the singer takes us on a nostalgic journey back to a very special time in his life, in a small town called Lake Mississippi.
The narrator fondly remembers the carefree moments of his senior year, such as driving around on Friday nights and making a loop through the local Sonic drive-in at the edge of town, singing, “Friday night, ride around, Make a loop through the Sonic at the edge of town.”
The lyrics also touch on more rebellious memories, like skipping school and sneaking out, which are common experiences for many during their senior year, with lines like, “Skippin’ school, smokin’ out, Spring break hell you can’t even talk about.”
14. “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” By Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men’s 1991 single “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” from their album “Cooleyhighharmony,” is an emotional song that addresses the difficulty of parting ways with something or someone important. It has become particularly popular for funerals.
The lyrics reflect on the pain of saying goodbye and the struggle to move forward while holding onto the moments shared with someone special.
The lines “How do I say goodbye to what we had? The good times that made us laugh outweigh the bad” capture the complex emotions that arise when we lose someone dear to us.
15. “Remember You Young” By Thomas Rhett
Thomas Rhett’s song “Remember You Young” is a sentimental tribute to the people who have played significant roles in his life and the desire to hold onto their youth, both in memories and in the present.
In the verses, Rhett reflects on his childhood friends who have now settled down and gotten married. He acknowledges the changes in their lives but still sees them as the same friends who once shared youthful adventures in their hometown. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia for the carefree days of youth when they used to “tear the roof off” the small town they grew up in.
The song also pays homage to his wife, whom he has known since second grade. Rhett appreciates her elegance and maturity while fondly recalling their earlier days of carefree fun. He mentions their moments of revelry, like “shutting them college bars down.”
16. “Making Memories Of Us” By Keith Urban
Keith Urban’s song “Making Memories of Us” is a heartfelt expression of love and commitment. At its core, the song is about building a lifelong partnership with someone and cherishing the moments shared together.
In the lyrics, the narrator makes a series of promises to his partner, declaring his unwavering love and devotion, as he sings, “I’m gonna be here for ya baby, I’ll be a man of my word, Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard.”
The narrator’s aspirations are not just about the present but also extend into the future. He expresses a longing to spend eternity with his partner, wanting to sleep with her forever and envisioning a life together in a cabin by a meadow, as he sings, “I wanna sleep with you forever, And I wanna die in your arms, In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm.”
17. “Memories” By Weezer
Weezer’s song “Memories” from their 2010 album “Hurley” is a reflection on the past, specifically the band’s experiences and memories from their earlier days in their career.
The lyrics are filled with references to specific moments, sensations, and anecdotes that marked their journey, as they sing, “Pissing in plastic cups before we went on stage, Playing hackey sack back when Audioslave was still Rage.”
In the verses, the band recalls various elements of their youth and the wild experiences they had, such as “pissing in plastic cups” before going on stage, playing hackey sack, and listening to techno music while traveling on tour buses, as they remember, “Memories make me want to go back there, back there.”
18. “Memory” By Barbra Streisand
“Memory,” originally written for the musical Cats, is one of the most iconic and enduring songs from the world of musical theater. The song is sung from the perspective of Grizabella, a once-glamorous but now outcast character who reflects on her past glory days.
The lyrics convey a sense of loneliness and longing as Grizabella recalls her former life when she was happy and cherished, yearning for those moments to return and for “the memory” to live again.
The opening lines set a melancholic scene in which Grizabella is alone on a quiet, moonlit street, surrounded by withered leaves, and she sings, “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.”
Throughout the song, Grizabella reflects on the changes in her life and the hope for a new beginning, singing, “Daylight, I must wait for the sunrise, I must think of a new life, And I mustn’t give in.”
19. “Yesterday Once More” By Carpenters
“Yesterday Once More” by the Carpenters is a timeless song that explores the power of music to transport the listener back in time, evoking feelings of happiness, sadness, and a deep sense of longing for the past.
The lyrics convey the narrator’s fond memories of their youth, when they would eagerly listen to the radio, waiting for their favorite songs to play and singing along, “When they played I’d sing along, It made me smile.” The music served as a source of comfort and happiness during those simpler times.
The narrator expresses a sense of loss for the bygone days, wondering where all those happy times have disappeared to. However, the magic of music allows them to relive those moments, singing, “But they’re back again, Just like a long lost friend.”
20. “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers
“Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers is a timeless classic that explores the journey of a long-term relationship and the depth of love that grows over time.
The song’s lyrics revolve around the theme of memories and how shared experiences and moments become the foundation of a lasting and meaningful bond.
The narrator reflects on the enduring presence of his partner in his life, singing, “I can’t remember when you weren’t there, When I didn’t care for anyone but you.”
He expresses his gratitude for his partner’s unwavering support and companionship, acknowledging that through all the years, she has never let him down, singing, “Through the years, You’ve never let me down, You turned my life around.”
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Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.