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Try to Remember – Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones

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description Try to Remember – Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones Overview

Try to Remember is a classic song from the 1960 musical The Fantasticks, composed by Harvey Schmidt with lyrics by Tom Jones. Written in waltz time, it serves as the show's opening number and sets a nostalgic tone by inviting the audience to recall the gentle days of September. The Fantasticks famously became the world's longest-running musical, running for 42 years off-Broadway. The song itself became a widely covered standard, recorded by artists such as Harry Belafonte, Ed Ames, and Barbra Streisand.

help Try to Remember – Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones FAQ

Where does "Try to Remember" appear in The Fantasticks?

El Gallo sings it near the opening of The Fantasticks, establishing the show's reflective, storybook mood. Jerry Orbach originated the role in the 1960 Off-Broadway production.

Who wrote the music and lyrics for "Try to Remember"?

Harvey Schmidt composed the music and Tom Jones wrote the lyrics. The same team created The Fantasticks, which opened at New York's Sullivan Street Playhouse in 1960.

Why does "Try to Remember" sound like a waltz?

The song uses a flowing triple meter associated with a waltz. Its repeated seasonal imagery moves from September toward December, reinforcing its theme of memory and passing time.

Which singers recorded "Try to Remember" outside the musical?

The song became a pop standard recorded by performers including Harry Belafonte, Ed Ames, and The Brothers Four. These versions helped it reach audiences far beyond the Off-Broadway production.

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