I don't want to credit this phenomenon to advanced age, and in fact I've been able to memorize other songs recently without this same difficulty. I even recently memorized the lyrics to "Lei Pakalana", which I accomplished simply by repetition. I have no idea what the lyrics mean, so it was all a matter of getting the phonetics in the proper order. Also, I've found that when I sing "Lei Pakalana" I get a mental image of my lyric sheet in my mind. I actually see the written words in my head as if I'm reading them.
But despite having a clear understanding of my own lyrics to this other song, and even trying to do the mental visualization thing - nothing works. I simply can't memorize this song.
I once memorized all four verses of "I've Been Everywhere", which is basically a list of cities and towns. That took me a long time to get it down, but I did finally learn it. I seem to recall that I had some trick for remembering the order of the city names, but whatever that was it doesn't apply to my own composition.
So, other than venting about my frustration over this issue, I'm curious if anybody else has ever had one song that eludes memorization. And maybe somebody can suggest a trick for learning this song that I haven't tried yet.
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW
Words & Music by Bob Haworth
© 2007 Three Cats Music, BMI
All Rights Reserved
NEVER MIND THE PAIN OF LOSING YOU
NEVER MIND THE HOLE YOU LEFT IN MY HEART
NEVER MIND THE TEARS I CRIED FOR YOU
JUST GO ON YOUR WAY, I’LL BE OK
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW I’M FALLIN’ APART
NEVER MIND THE DREAMS & PLANS WE MADE
NEVER MIND THE MIDNITE WALKS IN THE PARK
NEVER MIND THE TIMES WE LAFFED & PLAYED
THE MEMORIES WILL FADE
IT WAS ALL A CHARADE
BUT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW I’M FALLIN’ APART
LIFE WILL GO ON - THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY
SOMEBODY NEW WILL FILL YOUR SHOES SOMEDAY
SO NEVER MIND THE SECRETS THAT WE SHARED
NEVER MIND THE NIGHTS IN EACH OTHERS’ ARMS
NEVER MIND THAT WE WERE THE PERFECT PAIR
IT JUST COULDN’T LAST
NOW IT’S ALL IN THE PAST
BUT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW I’M FALLIN’ APART
I’M SITTIN’ HERE WONDERIN’ WHAT WENT WRONG
WAS I SO BLIND THAT I MISSED IT ALL ALONG
NEVER MIND THE WAY WE TOUCHED & KISSED
NEVER MIND THE WISHES WE MADE ON A STAR
NEVER MIND OUR VOWS & PROMISES
THEY’RE SHATTERED & GONE
IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON
BUT YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW I’M FALLIN’ APART
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