The late 1970s in the UK were a whirlwind of musical evolution and chaos. Punk still pulsed with raw energy, disco glittered on dance floors, and glam rock’s colorful past lingered in the air. Yet, cutting through this noisy mix emerged Showaddywaddy, a band that was more than a mere group of musicians—they were a time machine, whisking audiences back to the joyous simplicity of the 1950s’ rock and roll. While often known for their upbeat and foot-stomping revival anthems, in 1979, Showaddywaddy stunned fans with a track that was both a signature and a shocking emotional pivot: the hauntingly beautiful “Remember Then.”
Released on March 16, 1979, this single wasn’t just another cover; it was a doorway to a poignant memory. Originally a 1962 doo-wop classic by The Earls, “Remember Then” reached an impressive number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, a testament to Showaddywaddy’s unyielding charm amid the changing tides of music. Nestled within their 1979 album Crepes & Drapes, this song augmented a catalogue already peppered with hits like “Under the Moon of Love” and “I Wonder Why.”
But what truly sets “Remember Then” apart? It’s not just the nostalgic melody but its melancholic narrative that grips the soul. This song conveys a universally heart-wrenching truth: the bitter-sweet pain of looking back on a fleeting love. With lyrics that speak as if the storyteller is whispering secrets to the listener, the song paints a picture of an innocent summer romance that shines brightly one moment and fades the next. The opening lines, “That night we fell in love beneath the stars above / That was a lovely summer night,” evoke youthful joy, only to be pierced by the bitter reality, “The summer is over, our love is over / To lose that love was such a shame.”
For a band famed for rollicking, joyous hits, this was uncharted territory—a masterful display of understated sorrow. The pure doo-wop harmonies and steady beat clash yet perfectly complement the sorrowful lyrics, turning the song into a wistful farewell rather than a tragic cry. That repeated chant, “Remember then, then, then, then, then,” doesn’t plead for a return, but softly exhales memories of a moment suspended in time—a cherished fragment that will never truly disappear.
As those who lived through that era will tell you, this song is more than a tune. It is a mirror reflecting our own tender memories of “lovely summer nights”, when life brimmed with endless possibilities. Showaddywaddy, clad in their flashy Teddy Boy outfits, may have been dismissed by some as mere spectacle, but “Remember Then” lays bare their heart as true storytellers. They capture nostalgia not just as joyful recollection but as a poignant tapestry of beautiful, fleeting moments woven with sadness and truth.
This is a song that lingers, a melodic echo of youthful love and loss that resonates deeply—proving that sometimes, music is the only way to truly remember, and never forget.
