Memorial Day

Album: Remind Me Tomorrow (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Sharon Van Etten gave birth to her first child in 2017. This brooding meditation finds her addressing her little boy.

    Will you ever hold your ground?
    Will I ever pull your teeth?
    If you barely stand
    How do I let you leave?


    The singer told Uncut magazine that "Memorial Day" is "really about looking at my son growing up, looking to the future and what that will bring."
  • The song first took shape before Van Etten even knew she was pregnant. Once she found out, she added lyrics about her fears in becoming a first-time mother.

    "I went back to the demo and then started to think thinking in a weird dark way," she recalled. "I'm going to f--k this up somehow. Like, am I gonna pull your teeth?! I dunno! Am I going to have to do that stuff?"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

The End Of The Rock Era

The End Of The Rock EraSong Writing

There are no more rock stars - the last one died in 1994.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.