description Try to Remember – Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones Overview
Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones wrote this waltz-time opening number for The Fantasticks (1960), which went on to become the world's longest-running musical production.
insights Why this score
Try to Remember – Harvey Schmidt & Tom Jones ranks #102 of 244 in the Waltz ranking, behind Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 38 – Alexander Scriabin, ahead of Waltz No. 12 in F minor, Op. 70 No. 2 — Frédéric Chopin.
Signature Fantasticks song, widely covered and theatrically beloved, though less critically monumental than top Broadway standards.
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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