Introduction
It’s 2011, and former Sweet frontman Brian Connolly steps into the spotlight alone, lending his distinctive voice to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic “Memory.”
“Memory” was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Trevor Nunn, drawing on T.S. Eliot’s poems for the 1981 musical Cats.
From its debut on Broadway, “Memory” became the show’s emotional climax, expressing the character Grizabella’s longing for past glory.
It quickly transcended the stage, landing on charts worldwide and inspiring countless covers by artists from Barbra Streisand to Elaine Paige.
Brian Connolly, best known as the glam-rock powerhouse who led Sweet to hits like “Ballroom Blitz,” recorded his solo take decades later, showcasing a voice both seasoned and soulful.
His version was uploaded to YouTube by user “padlolos” on May 14, 2011, and has since drawn over 680,000 views.
Unlike the orchestral originals, Connolly’s arrangement strips back to piano and light strings, letting his raspy timbre carry every wistful line.
Listening, you feel years of rock-and-roll highs and lows infuse each note—his vibrato trembles on “daylight” and steadies on “old friends,” giving the lyrics fresh gravitas.
He bends the melody subtly at the climactic “touch me,” making the moment feel both intimate and urgent.
That contrast—between a rock star’s swagger and a broken-hearted plea—gives this cover its singular charm.
For longtime fans, hearing Connolly revisit a theater standard is like catching up with an old friend who’s lived a colorful life and still has stories to tell.
It’s a reminder that great songs can be reborn through new voices and perspectives, carrying memories forward instead of letting them fade.