ARENDAIN, IREN ROSE M.

BSCRIM1-DELTA

The meaning of the song 'Always Remember Us This Way ', based on the lyrics

Two people in love are reflecting on how much it hurts to say goodbye when they part ways. The singer
expresses a desire to never be forgotten, to remain in the other's memories. The sun setting and the
band ceasing to play serve as a metaphor for the sadness of their eventual separation. Despite that, they
will always each other and their love as they part.

In the lyrics, Gaga reflects on the early days of a relationship, when passion guides your efforts, in the
wake of a breakup. She asks to be remembered fondly and thanks her partner for finding a light within
her that she didn’t know was there. As the sun sets on their relationship, she remains grateful for the
time they spent together.

The lyrics also reference the film character’shared musical background. She calls them poets who “don’t
know how to rhyme” and nods to their West Coast touring days with the line “that Arizona sky burnin’ in
your eyes.”

The story in the song mirrors Jackson and Ally’s relationship. Jackson first saw a gleam of star power
within Ally, pushing her to bring her talent to the masses. His death punctuated the end of their
relationship, which no doubt left her in emotional turmoil. As seen at the end of the film, Ally holds on
to the love she has for Jackson and, instead of holding anger for her late partner, she looks back on their
time together with positivity.

“There was a moment where we all got choked up,” McKenna recalled of the writing process to Esquire.
Whenever that happens when writing a song, it’s gotta stay! There were moments when [Gaga] would
start crying and I’m like, is this good crying or bad crying?! Good crying, right?!

“[Gaga] was so trusting with us,” McKenna continued. “I found her outrageously talented but also much
more open than one would expect with a star that big. I really loved working with her. She really took
our guidance, which I was surprised by. You figure she knows the character in her head and she’s
freaking Lady Gaga. She probably could have done it on her own, but she really was a team player.”

McKenna later likened the song, and the rest of the accompanying soundtrack, to the relationship
between Jackson and Ally in the film. “Like in music, the best songs come when the melody and the
words find each other at the same time,” she added. “That’s what they did with this film. It’s
remarkable.”

While the film’s titular song “Shallow” earned an Oscar nod, “Always Remember Us This Way” clinched a
Grammy nomination for Song of the Year. Despite being written for the film, it is still a staple in Gaga’s
live shows. The singer played it during her most recent trek around the world, The Chromatica Ball.

So when I’m all choked up

But I can’t find the words
Every time we say goodbye
Baby, it hurts
When the sun goes down
And the band won’t play
I’ll always remember us this way

Lovers in the night

Poets tryin’ to write
We don’t know how to rhyme
But, damn, we try
But all I really know
You’re where I wanna go
The part of me that’s you will never die