Only a Memory

"Only a Memory" is a song by the American alternative rock group The Smithereens. It is the first single released in support of their second album Green Thoughts.

"Only a Memory"
Single by The Smithereens
from the album Green Thoughts
B-side"The Seeker"
ReleasedApril 6, 1988 (1988-04-06)
RecordedCapitol (Hollywood)
GenrePower pop, alternative rock
Length3:39
LabelCapitol
Songwriter(s)Pat DiNizio
Producer(s)Don Dixon
The Smithereens singles chronology
"Strangers When We Meet"
(1986)		 "Only a Memory"
(1988)		 "House We Used to Live In"
(1988)
Music video
"Only a Memory" on YouTube

Background

"Only a Memory" started life during a soundcheck in Madrid on the Especially for You European tour in January 1987. Luckily for frontman Pat DiNizio, the band's roadie was there with his pocket tape recorder when he came up with the intro riff. DiNizio recalled, "[He] heard me scream "Chopper, tape this!!" I would have never remembered it otherwise."[1]

Release

"Only a Memory" was released as the first single from the band's sophomore album, Green Thoughts. The single was the band's most commercially successful single release to that point, topping the US Mainstream Rock Charts and becoming the first Smithereens song to hit the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 92.

On May 18, 2010, the song was made available to download in the Rock Band digital store. The song also appeared in the 1988 baseball film Bull Durham.

Formats and track listing

All songs written by Pat DiNizio, except where noted.

US 7" single (B-44150)
  1. "Only a Memory" – 3:39
  2. "The Seeker" (Pete Townshend) – 3:22
European 7" single (SMIT 1)
  1. "Only a Memory" – 3:39
  2. "Lust for Life" (David Bowie, Iggy Pop) – 5:10
European 12" single (SMIT T 1)
  1. "Only a Memory" – 3:39
  2. "Lust for Life" (David Bowie, Iggy Pop) – 5:10
  3. "Something New" – 1:53

Charts
Chart (1988) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[2] 92
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[3] 1

References
  1. Best of the Smithereens (Guitar Recorded Versions). Hal Leonard Corporation. 1995. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-793-54453-0.
  2. "The Smithereens Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  3. "The Smithereens Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
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