Skid Row – I Remember You
About The Song
This yearning song is about a guy who can’t let go of the memory of the girl he loves. His days are endless and his nights sleepless as he obsesses over her, refusing to move on.
Skid Row bass player Rachel Bolan is responsible for the lyric – he often writes about down-on-their-luck dudes who have trouble fitting into society. Bolan wrote it with guitarist Dave “Snake” Sabo.
Lead singer Sebastian Bach, 20 years old when the song was released, used his iron tonsils to deliver a blistering vocal performance on this track. Bach grew up in Canada under hardship – drugs and homelessness were part of his upbringing. He had a talent for channeling his frustrated energy into his vocals.
“I Remember You” was the third single from Skid Row’s self-titled debut album. They were modelled on Bon Jovi; founder Dave Sabo was the original guitarist in that band and played on their first single, “Runaway.” Jon Bon Jovi took a personal and professional interest in the band, signing them to a publishing deal with his company. Skid Row’s first single, “Youth Gone Wild,” was their anthemic live burner. Their next two singles, “18 And Life” and “I Remember You,” were slower-tempo story songs with broad appeal.
Two days after the album was released, Skid Row joined Bon Jovi on tour, where they piggybacked on their press coverage. The album sold a striking 5 million copies just in America, but this was a volatile bunch, and they weren’t able to sustain the momentum. Sebastian Bach leaned into the Guns N’ Roses sound and attitude, which is more apparent on Skid Row’s second album, released in 1991. That one debuted at #1, but quickly nosedived with no hit singles.
Video
Lyrics
Woke up to the sound of pouring rain
The wind would whisper and I’d think of you
And all the tears you cried, that called my name
And when you needed me I came through
I paint a picture of the days gone by
When love went blind and you would make me see
I’d stare a lifetime into your eyes
So that I knew that you were there for me
Time after time you there for me
Remember yesterday, walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand, I remember you
Through the sleepless nights through every endless day
I’d want to hear you say, I remember you oh oh
We spent the summer with the top rolled down
Wished ever after would be like this
You said I love you babe, without a sound
I said I’d give my life for just one kiss
I’d live for your smile and die for your kiss
Remember yesterday, walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand, I remember you
Through the sleepless nights through every endless day
I’d want to hear you say, I remember you
We’ve had our share of hard times
But that’s the price we paid
And through it all we kept the promise that we made
I swear you’ll never be lonely
Woke up to the sound of pouring rain
Washed away a dream of you
But nothing else could ever take you away
‘Cause you’ll always be my dream come true
Oh my darling, I love you
Remember yesterday, walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand, I remember you
Through the sleepless nights through every endless day
I’d want to hear you say, I remember you
Remember yesterday walking hand in hand
Love letters in the sand I remember you
Through the sleepless nights, through every endless day
I’d wanna hear you say I remember, I remember you, oh yeah