Selective Memory

A sweet, tender little thing, this song. Guess what, I think it's about his mother (yet again). That whole bit about when I was a a baby fits the music perfectly. I can almost see the blurred edges of faded childhood memories.

i think its about ideal love and the imagination. The lyrics are so colourful and imaginative like a dream. the girl and the setting are idealized because she can offer everything to him when she whispers in his ear or touches him. The song is so innocent and beautiful. I think E is a genius.

I too think its E thinking about his mother. he seems to talk about how he dreams of her, and recalls happy childhood memories that he spent with her. However, in chorus "I wish I could remember But my selective memory won't let me", it appears that he wants to look back on the wondeful memories, but at the same time, it's just too painful for him so he tries to forget.

To me, this can only be about Mark's mother. It can't be about romatic love, because of the line that says "When I was a baby..."

And "selective memory" doesn't mean he wants or tries to forget. The term itself doesn't refer to a conscious mode of behavior, for one thing. Also, there is the part of the chorus that says "I wish I could remember", which pretty much means that he's talking purely about faded childhood memories.

Mark is a genius. Too good for radio, or widespread success. People would rather choke on mainstream crap.

e said on his website something like " a sad song because the things the guy is describing never actually happened, but he tells himself he simply cannot recall the events "

the vocal melody to this song is quite similar to "after the gold rush" by neil young, which is quite interesting because it is played on the same piano that neil used in his song.

One of the saddest songs ever written. Right up there with Cat Power's Names. I think of Goldie's song Mother when I hear this. ("Mother" is a long droning, plaintive yearning for a mother, more desperate than sad) Goldie never knew his mother.

Someone once told me it was about his sister (who killed herself). It makes sense to me. Especially the part about splashing 'round the fountain. Also. It is very Neil young.