Clocking in at over 11 minutes, “Memory” is the longest song on Preoccupations. It has three distinct movements: an intro sung by frontman Matt Flegel, an interlude fronted by Dan Boeckner (of Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs, Divine Fits and Operators), and a droning fade-out.
[Verse 1: Matt Flegel]
Necessary but against your better judgments
You were being overcharged in the market square
Overwhelmed and it’s coming from all angles
You were entertaining the idea that it wasn’t fair
[Pre-Chorus 1: Matt Flegel]
But the picture seemed sharp enough
To view life through you
I can’t remember where we were
Where were we when we all went under?
[Chorus: Matt Flegel]
You don’t have to say sorry
For all the things you failed to do
You don’t have to say sorry
For all the times when everything fell through
[Verse 2: Matt Flegel]
State-sponsored character assassination
I promise that I’ll burn your things when you’re dead and gone
It’s an orchestrated controversy
No strategies for dissolving in the atmosphere
[Pre-Chorus 2: Matt Flegel]
And the distance seemed sure enough
From Point A to Point B
Your favourite feeling was the ground falling out
From beneath your feet
[Chorus: Matt Flegel]
You don’t have to say sorry
For all the things you failed to do
You don’t need to say sorry
For all the times when everything fell through
[Verse 3: Dan Boeckner]
Unholiness
Arrives by satellite on time
And I see no anomalies
Between both sides
[Verse 4: Dan Boeckner]
You could help me
With every little need
End scene
Left here with no paraphernalia
Recede
[Bridge: Matt Flegel (Dan Boeckner)]
Erasing (Erasing)
Your memory (Your memory)
Erasing (Erasing)
Your memory (Your memory)
[Verse 5: Matt Flegel]
Our particles collide and drown
By candlelight
Our particles collide and drown
By candlelight
Memory was written by Dan Boeckner & Matt Flegel.
Memory was produced by Graham Walsh & Scott Munro & Matt Flegel.
Preoccupations released Memory on Wed Sep 07 2016.
In a statement, Flegel said that “Memory” is about “watching someone lose their mind.”