This song was the first song which was ever played live from the "ReLoad" album before the album was actually released. It was also the first single release of the "ReLoad" album.

Album:
Re-Load

The song live:
The song "The Memory Remains" had its first live appearance as a jam version in Deer Creek Field in Noblesville, Indiana at 2nd july '96 - one year before ReLoad has been released. And the song has been only once played live with Marianne Faithfull - in New York City, Saturday Night Live at 6th december '97.

The contributed voice:
It is Marianne Faithfull who sings the "nanana"- part - she also appears in the video.

The dialogue at the song's end:
They were chosen by Marianne Faithfull who wanted to add parts of her favorite movie one-liners to the feel of the song. The line "Say yes. At least say hello." is from Marilyn Monroe's movie "The Misfits".

The inspiration:
It is supposed that the song is based upon a movie called "Sunset Boulevard". The movie is about a has-been celebrity who - after fell into oblivion - lost her mind and still think she is famous.

The video:
The band shot the video to the "Memory remains" video in LA, actually at the Van Nuys airport on 20 and 21 October '97. It costed $400.000.00 and featured the band it a huge box that costed over $100.000.00. The video had it's world premiere on MTV's Mattrock show the 15th of November 1997.

The subject matter:
It is about a person who tries to keep living in his glory days and in that way she becomes isolated from reality.