Paige really brings empathy to her character. You believe she has lived a hard life and wants nothing more than to be accepted. It's heartbreaking and beautiful!
My favorite song is memory sung by Elaine Page. Some people say that Betty Buckley's memory is the best, but Elaine Page's memory is the best because she sings beautifully while expressing Grizabella's heartbreaking cries even better! ! !
Non conosco Betty Buckley, ma questa Memory di Elaine Page mi fa venire i brividi perche esprime tutta la disperazione e la solitudine piena di rimpianti e di dolore della povera Grizabella abbandonata e rifiutata da tutti che ha perso tutto e a cui rimangono solo ricordi di un tempo bello che ormai fa solo male ricordare... e io ricordo il meraviglioso musical "Cats" da cui è tratta questa canzone, capace di toccare l'anima, che ho visto dal vivo e il cui punto più toccante e profondo è proprio la canzone Memory, ed è stata per me una delle emozioni più profonde che ho vissuto!
"Touch me. It's so easy to leave me with my memories of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is." I burst into tears every time I hear these words. It makes me think of all of the senior cats in shelters and on the street, looking for a home, but they're not usually everyone's first pick.
Thank You Elaine Paige. My late wife and I had the good fortune to see you perform as the featured artist on a cruise a few years back. I only got misty-eyed then, but now the tears flow as I listen to you alone.
Carol Wade how patronising do people like you sound 🙄 Yes Betty is great. We're watching Elaine here. Move along sweetheart. See...I can be patronising too 👌
l have seen this performance many times and l still get goose bumps Everytime l hear her sing this song, especially when she stands up. Beautiful and heart-rending.
An elite theatrical voice is 50% vocal talent and 50% emotion. Not everyone understands that. Elaine's ability to convey emotion is why she was at the top. The same goes for Michael Crawford.
CJ Mooney I agree Elaine is the best we have had for the last 40/50 years. Saw her in Evita/Cats /Chess. Michael i saw in Barnum/Phantom/Women in white.
I was lucky enough to see Elaine Paige play Norma Desmond in "Sunset Blvd" on Broadway in 1996...it was just simply stunning! Her "touch me" in this version always makes me well up... : )
Some of you need to understand , that this isn't easy. Theatre isn't easy. Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley are two phenomenal actresses , they just have different approaches of the character. One may focus more on the acting , while the other focuses more on the singing. Their message is to simply deliver what the song is trying to say, & have you feel the emotion that comes with it. I'd like to see you stand on stage & try to even sing this song , while showing emotion.
+Anas Wakhani Unfortunately as a Musical Thetre major I must share that the crucible may take place at the technical delivery with the acting secondary. At this level of national spotlight/attention. Elaine paige was under fire was under pressure to deliver not as good but actually a Better performance then Betty Buckley. This is the case with any remake or reprisal. The production as a whole is under that same pressure as is the director. Elaine was under the shadow of Betty Buckleys dynamic technical powerhouse delivery. . Where Elaine Paige could not beat Betty she compensated with impressive dramatics. This may work for the lay theatre goer. But for those of us in the know it's all about who SANG it better not. elaine has a more proper operatic voice. Betty presented a rare legit built so stregthened it was delivered with operatic resonance. If we take her acting away Betty's vocals alone were bone chilling and emotionally devastating bringing the show to a halt.. Can we say the same if we take Elaine's acting away? Both are professionals in their owen right Legends if you will. But Betty Buckley has not been matched in her performance of memory by any. (not even my favorites Heather headley or Sara Brightman. Her voice was just right for the song. Kismet.
+Bryan Masters First of all, your degree or education in music does not mean that what you learn and think has to be more important. Music, films, all of the arts in fact, depend on the audience and what they think and not what a minority of lecturers, critics and students think! This was a musical where both acting and singing are judged by the audience and if the majority likes Elaine Paige who can both act the right way for the song, and also sing well, it does not matter whether Betty sings better. Secondly, for a music major that was an extremely stupid comment because Elaine Paige performed this song BEFORE Betty Buckley!
+Bryan Masters Cats was originally a West End (London) musical produced in 1981 and Elaine Paige was the first singer/actor to take the role of Grizabella. The Broadway production came one year later as a result of the success of the West End production and Betty Buckley was cast as Grizabella for Broadway. Elaine Paige has NEVER been under the shadow of Betty Buckley. She is more famous outside of America for this song and is almost synonymous with it. But, in any case, I do not think either actress would have been under any pressure and would hardly have viewed the other as competition. We are talking theater performances in the 1980s when there was no internet, smartphones or cable. Most of those who had seen the Broadway version had not seen the West End performance and vice versa. They were living in their own world thousands of miles apart. Thus, being under pressure or 'under fire' to perform better was out of question.
***** I have and Elaine's version for me is still the best. Recently watched an awful piano version of this song by Betty Buckley (on you tube) awful !
holy shiz. I have only heard others sing this and I was reading comments about how it was so amazing and people were crying and getting chills, and I was like sure thing. Then it came and suddenly I just burst into tears. Amazing
Amazing vocalists often don't make it in musical theatre. Because actors have to be able show a fragility within their vocals. A weakness. That's how they convey the emotion of the song. Elaine charms the audience as she sounds like she is truly living the moment. If she had flawless vocals nobody would believe that
Oh my gosh she looks EXACTLY the same as the DVD! This is just like seeing my DVD live! (With a different singer as Jemima of course) I can't believe it! :D And I love the emotion she put into this particular performance! No one can sing Memory better than her. ;) And IMHO nobody can sing the bridge better than Helen Massey! (Jemima's overdub voice on the DVD)
That overdub on the DVD is dire! And there are plenty who sing this better than Elaine - although that doesn't change the fact that she sings this fantastically.
Man! That is an INCREDIBLE performance!!! It literally gave me chills to hear Elaine sing this song with so much deep emotion! Even better than the widely-released video version! She masters the vocal art of hesitating at just the right moment for the heart-tugging impact she mesmerizes her audience with! Her voice is absolutely beautiful!!!
I don't know, everyone always compared her version to Betty Buckley's, & they're just so different. Very different voices, & styles, & they sing it so differently. I think Elaine Paige sings it with a bit more anguish. Which I happen to prefer, but Betty Buckley has such a unique voice & hers is amazing too.
Buckler's version is pretty much what this song can be at its peak in term of singing. Paige mixed in touches for her performance. I find her version fit much better to character and the musical in its entirety. One is the definition of perfection while the other is the best performance for a musical. It was like comparing width with height. Surely they use similar unit but they aren't the same.
Let’s acknowlede the background Cats as the song progresses they go from shunned her to be moved completely and have 180s. Think you can see the emotion on some faces and those trying to hold back tears
I'm glad to hear you say this. This Jemima, Kimberely Partridge, has become my favorite. Kimberely packs so much vocal charisma and character into her few notes, I was totally floored. I'm surprised that she never had much of a career in singing. It seems like one could easily form a musical venture around her ... easily. I wonder if she was ever bothered that the 'other Jemima' (Veerle Casteleyn) seemed to be the most popular one? No question I prefer Kimberely's voice/artistry.
I just heard an interview with Elaine in which she said Dame Judy Dench was to play this part but hurt her foot and ALW called her just a few days before the opening. This is the only song she does in the play. I never really realized that..I've never seen the play.
My mom speaks english and I asked ger to teach me to sing this song, I'm from Brazil and I love you Elaine Paige, you are my favorite singer in the hole world!!!! I love u I love u I love u !!!!
Elaine sings this just as well today! In her 2009 celebration of 40 years on stage, she really knocks it out of the part (a compliment). She is amazing, and singing for over 40 years. She still has it today. You should see & hear her sing "The Heart is Slow to Learn". She did that in a 2008 performance in China. Wow! What a performance that was! Checkout her other performances video clips. Very captivating!
Diane Ellis Elaine Paige has been the best of the last 40 years or so. The best since Ethel Mermon.I do love Nicole's version but I would love Sierra Borgess to have a go at this. She is wonderful.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
No one will ever sing memory like elaine page in my opinion her voice was amazing
Alrxand rated yet O'Rourke same here. Elaine Paige dominates the role of Grizabella, SON!!!!!!!!!!!!
i agree, still looking for a better sound but i haven't heard any
Alrxand rated yet O'Rourke she is lips sorry.. she cant sing live well..
Betty Buckley, that is all.
Oh,No no no...
My wife has chosen this for her cremation, which was on March 5, 2016. Moving!
Paige really brings empathy to her character. You believe she has lived a hard life and wants nothing more than to be accepted. It's heartbreaking and beautiful!
Absolutely. Her characterization is my favorite for that reason.
came here from the movie trailer to CLEANSE MY BODY AND SOUL OH HELP ME GOD
"touch me" is the never failing trigger for the tear to finally fall...
My favorite song is memory sung by Elaine Page. Some people say that Betty Buckley's memory is the best, but Elaine Page's memory is the best because she sings beautifully while expressing Grizabella's heartbreaking cries even better! ! !
Non conosco Betty Buckley, ma questa Memory di Elaine Page mi fa venire i brividi perche esprime tutta la disperazione e la solitudine piena di rimpianti e di dolore della povera Grizabella abbandonata e rifiutata da tutti che ha perso tutto e a cui rimangono solo ricordi di un tempo bello che ormai fa solo male ricordare... e io ricordo il meraviglioso musical "Cats" da cui è tratta questa canzone, capace di toccare l'anima, che ho visto dal vivo e il cui punto più toccante e profondo è proprio la canzone Memory, ed è stata per me una delle emozioni più profonde che ho vissuto!
Elaine Paige's voice makes me cry every time. She's so amazing it's like physically impossible😭😭
"Touch me. It's so easy to leave me with my memories of my days in the sun. If you touch me, you'll understand what happiness is." I burst into tears every time I hear these words. It makes me think of all of the senior cats in shelters and on the street, looking for a home, but they're not usually everyone's first pick.
Thank You Elaine Paige. My late wife and I had the good fortune to see you perform as the featured artist on a cruise a few years back. I only got misty-eyed then, but now the tears flow as I listen to you alone.
When she sings 'touch me' ... brings me to tears every time ♡
I have heard Elaine Paige sing Memory more than a hundred times but it doesn't matter, she still gives me goosebumps! Every. God. Damned. Time.
Also, I spy a few other characters from the video
no one can touch miss paige in this number or performance! she IS grizabella!!!!
HEFIN ROSSER: Betty Buckley wond the Tony Award in 1983 for this son. When did Elaine Paige win a Tony Award for singing this song? 11/07/2017
Carol Wade did Betty play grizabella in the video release? Nope.
Carol Wade how patronising do people like you sound 🙄 Yes Betty is great. We're watching Elaine here. Move along sweetheart. See...I can be patronising too 👌
I can feel her pain and her rejection - beautiful performance
l have seen this performance many times and l still get goose bumps Everytime l hear her sing this song, especially when she stands up. Beautiful and heart-rending.
I love Elaine Page. The greatest Grizabella ever. Just such an fantastic actress and singer ❤
An elite theatrical voice is 50% vocal talent and 50% emotion. Not everyone understands that.
Elaine's ability to convey emotion is why she was at the top. The same goes for Michael Crawford.
CJ Mooney I agree Elaine is the best we have had for the last 40/50 years. Saw her in Evita/Cats /Chess. Michael i saw in Barnum/Phantom/Women in white.
Don't forget Philipia soo, Groffsauce, and Heather Headly
+Celina Medina let's add Lea Salonga to this list, as well.
omg thank you michael crawford is my favorite phantom for this exact reason bc what a unique voice
Agree
I was lucky enough to see Elaine Paige play Norma Desmond in "Sunset Blvd" on Broadway in 1996...it was just simply stunning! Her "touch me" in this version always makes me well up... : )
Some of you need to understand , that this isn't easy. Theatre isn't easy. Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley are two phenomenal actresses , they just have different approaches of the character. One may focus more on the acting , while the other focuses more on the singing. Their message is to simply deliver what the song is trying to say, & have you feel the emotion that comes with it. I'd like to see you stand on stage & try to even sing this song , while showing emotion.
+BiancaDel River This is why Elaine is better - because she is showing both emotion and her vocals. Whereas with Betty it is just the voice.
exactly!
+Anas Wakhani Unfortunately as a Musical Thetre major I must share that the crucible may take place at the technical delivery with the acting secondary. At this level of national spotlight/attention. Elaine paige was under fire was under pressure to deliver not as good but actually a Better performance then Betty Buckley. This is the case with any remake or reprisal. The production as a whole is under that same pressure as is the director. Elaine was under the shadow of Betty Buckleys dynamic technical powerhouse delivery. . Where Elaine Paige could not beat Betty she compensated with impressive dramatics. This may work for the lay theatre goer. But for those of us in the know it's all about who SANG it better not. elaine has a more proper operatic voice. Betty presented a rare legit built so stregthened it was delivered with operatic resonance. If we take her acting away Betty's vocals alone were bone chilling and emotionally devastating bringing the show to a halt.. Can we say the same if we take Elaine's acting away? Both are professionals in their owen right Legends if you will. But Betty Buckley has not been matched in her performance of memory by any. (not even my favorites Heather headley or Sara Brightman. Her voice was just right for the song. Kismet.
+Bryan Masters First of all, your degree or education in music does not mean that what you learn and think has to be more important. Music, films, all of the arts in fact, depend on the audience and what they think and not what a minority of lecturers, critics and students think! This was a musical where both acting and singing are judged by the audience and if the majority likes Elaine Paige who can both act the right way for the song, and also sing well, it does not matter whether Betty sings better.
Secondly, for a music major that was an extremely stupid comment because Elaine Paige performed this song BEFORE Betty Buckley!
+Bryan Masters Cats was originally a West End (London) musical produced in 1981 and Elaine Paige was the first singer/actor to take the role of Grizabella. The Broadway production came one year later as a result of the success of the West End production and Betty Buckley was cast as Grizabella for Broadway.
Elaine Paige has NEVER been under the shadow of Betty Buckley. She is more famous outside of America for this song and is almost synonymous with it. But, in any case, I do not think either actress would have been under any pressure and would hardly have viewed the other as competition. We are talking theater performances in the 1980s when there was no internet, smartphones or cable. Most of those who had seen the Broadway version had not seen the West End performance and vice versa. They were living in their own world thousands of miles apart. Thus, being under pressure or 'under fire' to perform better was out of question.
What a great performance--she makes me believe in her pain and sorrow and hope and expectation for a new life. This is what music is really all about!
Commento bellissimo
Onore anche a Lloyd Webber che ha scritto questo capplavoro!
I remember the time I knew what happiness is....♥️
This was my favorite song when i was a child and i still love it now at 38.
Her voice and performance is so so beautiful and absolutely incredible. "Touch me" just breaks my heart.
you can't help but get chills when she belts that out. Absolutely incredible.
This is by far the best version of the song on record. Her emotional expression is unparalleled -- heartbreak in every note.
3:40 my friggen mind was BLOWN ... orchestra, voice, acting, all working together to create MAGIC
Kimberly Partidge ❤️
BRILLANT
oh my gosh! The last chorus where she belted it out literally sent pins and needles through my spine
OH GOD! in the part where she stands up(3:40)...Damn! I really felt a chill through my body. What a beautiful voice! so full of emotion c:
🎉nyse
I LOVE Jemima's voice in this.
Elaine Paige owns this song. never heard of a better version
***** I have and Elaine's version for me is still the best. Recently watched an awful piano version of this song by Betty Buckley (on you tube) awful !
Betty Buckley owns this song to me.
Look at Laurie Beechman she comes close
when she says "look...a new day has begun" 😭😭😭😭😭💔
Elaine was the best grizabella. and always will be! she gives such emotion and she has such a beautiful voice
holy shiz. I have only heard others sing this and I was reading comments about how it was so amazing and people were crying and getting chills, and I was like sure thing. Then it came and suddenly I just burst into tears. Amazing
I love betty but she is purely vocal where Elaine is both vocal and EMOTION!. Elaine you're my grizabella 💜
Amazing vocalists often don't make it in musical theatre. Because actors have to be able show a fragility within their vocals. A weakness. That's how they convey the emotion of the song.
Elaine charms the audience as she sounds like she is truly living the moment.
If she had flawless vocals nobody would believe that
Oh my gosh she looks EXACTLY the same as the DVD! This is just like seeing my DVD live! (With a different singer as Jemima of course) I can't believe it! :D
And I love the emotion she put into this particular performance! No one can sing Memory better than her. ;) And IMHO nobody can sing the bridge better than Helen Massey! (Jemima's overdub voice on the DVD)
That overdub on the DVD is dire! And there are plenty who sing this better than Elaine - although that doesn't change the fact that she sings this fantastically.
I love this song. So much. I wish I could sing it wit as much emotion and perfection as Elaine... but sadly that's hard to duplicate. I love ittt.
no one.ever. She rocks.
i thank her and all the cats in the world for being my first musical!
Wunderbare Sänger und Schauspieler. Warum weine ich immer wenn ich das sehe . Ich freue mich wegen Chemnitz am 4.6. um 15 Uhr LIebe Grüße
Man! That is an INCREDIBLE performance!!! It literally gave me chills to hear Elaine sing this song with so much deep emotion! Even better than the widely-released video version! She masters the vocal art of hesitating at just the right moment for the heart-tugging impact she mesmerizes her audience with! Her voice is absolutely beautiful!!!
I don't know, everyone always compared her version to Betty Buckley's, & they're just so different. Very different voices, & styles, & they sing it so differently. I think Elaine Paige sings it with a bit more anguish. Which I happen to prefer, but Betty Buckley has such a unique voice & hers is amazing too.
Buckler's version is pretty much what this song can be at its peak in term of singing.
Paige mixed in touches for her performance. I find her version fit much better to character and the musical in its entirety.
One is the definition of perfection while the other is the best performance for a musical.
It was like comparing width with height. Surely they use similar unit but they aren't the same.
Let’s acknowlede the background Cats as the song progresses they go from shunned her to be moved completely and have 180s. Think you can see the emotion on some faces and those trying to hold back tears
I will always love Elaine Paige especially this song!
Elaine Paige is just perfect!!!!!!
SHE'S AMAZING PERFECTION I LOVE HER I ALWAYS CRY WHEN I HEAR THIS SONG AND NOW THAT I HEAR IT LIVE MAKES ME CRY EVEN MORE!
Stunning ! Elaine's Voice Just Divine 💕💞💓💝💏
elaine page is total amazing a wonderfully voice with control power could listen to her all day
Always brilliant.....never tire of this one.
Oh my gosh! All I can say is wow! The passion and feeling in which Elaine sings this is astounding.
Betty Buckley She is the best!!
I love Elaine Paige's version of Memory!!
Very nice, she brings tears to my eyes at "touch me".
Whether you prefer Elaine Paige's version or Betty Buckley's, they are both phenomenal to watch and listen to. Incomparable--both of them.
she's lived a real life. I think grizabella is the most real character in this musical
Agreed, Gus what people think life is, Grizabella what life actually is.
She is exactly why the musical works. If not, it would just be a collection of fun song and dance numbers (with a more-than-brilliant libretto!).
Kinda funny that it has been over 30 years all of us have been fighting over who signs this song better
wow ive never seen someone sign this song but cant wait to see that ASL interpretation
There’s no fighting that Elaine is the best
well there's no fighting needed because Elaine is best 😁
Splendid Elaine !
I saw Elaine Paige a couple of times.. but i never saw this performance.. this is the best for sure!!!
Wow.....this is fabulous! She is so talented.
She is the best and the original for this song and this role!
No comparison in my mind! Elaine is just superb!
All I can say is
No one can match up to her. Some might get close, but will never reach the bar she set
Elaine Page......I cannot find words...just fantastic
Gives me goosebumps every time I listen.
I'm glad to hear you say this. This Jemima, Kimberely Partridge, has become my favorite. Kimberely packs so much vocal charisma and character into her few notes, I was totally floored. I'm surprised that she never had much of a career in singing. It seems like one could easily form a musical venture around her ... easily.
I wonder if she was ever bothered that the 'other Jemima' (Veerle Casteleyn) seemed to be the most popular one? No question I prefer Kimberely's voice/artistry.
I just heard an interview with Elaine in which she said Dame Judy Dench was to play this part but hurt her foot and ALW called her just a few days before the opening. This is the only song she does in the play. I never really realized that..I've never seen the play.
She gets me every time!....
Ante esta reina, sólo queda quitarse el sombrero!
Astounding performance. Well done.
WOWEE IM LIVING FOR THE CLIMAX OF THE SONG DANGG
We have used this song yesterday to bury our cat. Thank you Elaine Paige for such an emotionally charged and powerful rendition.
I love Elaine Paige and Kimberly Partridge.
Elaine Paige will always be my favorite Grizabella 😍👏🏻😍.
Maravillosa
British west end soooooo rocks so many fantastic show's year after year
Memory 😢
Look at thougtfully‥
誰もが重い十字架を背負って、荷物を背負って生きております。
時に足がすくんでも、嵐のような出来事に遭遇して倒れても‥生きることに生き切ることに意義がある。
明日に思いを馳せて‥。
one of, if not, the best performances of Memory!!!!
Her voice is literally breathtaking. This performance gives me goosebumps everytime :)
Elaine is perfection your cannot get any better.
I can only CRY :')) Quelle passion! Such a gift of this amazing artist! La mejor GRIZABELLA! :) Elaine Paige!
every time i newly hear her do the "touch me" line, she makes me cry. shes amazing! the best grizabella in my opinion.
Simply beautiful! Great control AND emotion, which can be sooo difficult. You're the best!
My heart is literally breaking listening to This 💔Tears are rolling down my cheeks ❤️Now That's Singing Oh How I loved to have seen This 🌹
WHEN SHE SAIS "LOOK"!! OMG I LOVE HER!!
I love this musical because of this song.
3:48 .. the cats in the back are having goosebumps :-) Amazing :-)
I also looked that
Amazing singer and actress...
Im still watching this and will be in year 2020 also.
This performance is classic, let me have the urge to cry
that was insane!!! ohhhhhuuuu... this is the true performance!!!
What a voice!!!!She is amazing!!!!!!
My mom speaks english and I asked ger to teach me to sing this song, I'm from Brazil and I love you Elaine Paige, you are my favorite singer in the hole world!!!! I love u I love u I love u !!!!
HOW IS THE WHOLE CAST NOT SOBBING
Elaine sings this just as well today! In her 2009 celebration of 40 years on stage, she really knocks it out of the part (a compliment). She is amazing, and singing for over 40 years. She still has it today. You should see & hear her sing "The Heart is Slow to Learn". She did that in a 2008 performance in China. Wow! What a performance that was! Checkout her other performances video clips. Very captivating!
Diane Ellis Elaine Paige has been the best of the last 40 years or so. The best since Ethel Mermon.I do love Nicole's version but I would love Sierra Borgess to have a go at this. She is wonderful.
Keith Bate I don't think she would be able to handle the lower notes in this song though :/
Buttons Possibly but would love her to have a go as Nicole did.
What a great performance - it goes straight to my heart! I love it so much...
Still gives me goosebumps !!!!
fantastica , sorprendente , ver la gracias ,
FYI- This is Kimberely Partridge in the role of Jemima. I think she renders an amazingly nuanced and charismatic vocal performance.
so beautiful. nuff' said.
absolutely incredible !