Peak
1
Weeks
24
Score
5,915
Chart Year
1956
This song is from the film The Seven Hills Of Rome in which it was sung by Mario Lanza. It was written by Terry Gilkyson (who previously had performed with the legendary folk group The Weavers in the early 1950s), Richard Dehr and Frank Miller in 1955. The backing vocals, singing "Sweet, sweet, the memories you gave to me," belonged to Gilkyson, Dehr, and Miller, the 3 writers of the song, under the name of The Easy Riders. They went on to have a #4 hit in 1957 with the folk song "Marianne." In the US, a cover version by Gale Storm reached #5, while in the UK the TV comedian Dave King's version also peaked at #5. According to 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Terry Gilkyson's daughter, the folk singer and songwriter Eliza Gilkyson said of her father, "He hated people looking for hidden meanings in his songs and he did it as a job. He went to the office every day and often wrote about us. Memories Are Made of This is about our family; it's him meeting my mother and having three kids." The song was adopted as the unofficial anthem for Hungarian refugees scattered around the world after the 1956 revolution against Soviet rule. Deana Martin borrowed the title for her 2004 book, Memories Are Made of This: Dean Martin Through His Daughter’s Eyes, and for her first full-length album in 2005.
Take one fresh and tender kiss Add one stolen night of bliss One girl, one boy Some grief, some joy Memories are made of this Don't forget a small moonbeam Fold in lightly with a dream Your lips and mine Two sips of wine Memories are made of this Then add the wedding bells One house where lovers dwell Three little kids for the flavor Stir carefully through the days See how the flavor stays These are the dreams you'll savor With His blessings from above Serve it generously with love One man, one wife One love through life Memories are made of this Memories are made of this
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 3, 1955 | 44 | 82 |
| 2 | Dec 10, 1955 | 26 | 100 |
| 3 | Dec 17, 1955 | 8 | 118 |
| 4 | Dec 24, 1955 | 3 | 123 |
| 5 | Dec 31, 1955 | 2 | 124 |
| 6 | Jan 7, 1956 | 2 | 124 |
| 7 | Jan 14, 1956 | 1 | 125 |
| 8 | Jan 21, 1956 | 1 | 125 |
| 9 | Jan 28, 1956 | 1 | 125 |
| 10 | Feb 4, 1956 | 1 | 125 |
| 11 | Feb 11, 1956 | 1 | 125 |
| 12 | Feb 18, 1956 | 2 | 124 |
| 13 | Feb 25, 1956 | 4 | 122 |
| 14 | Mar 3, 1956 | 4 | 122 |
| 15 | Mar 10, 1956 | 5 | 121 |
| 16 | Mar 17, 1956 | 8 | 118 |
| 17 | Mar 24, 1956 | 9 | 117 |
| 18 | Mar 31, 1956 | 18 | 108 |
| 19 | Apr 7, 1956 | 22 | 104 |
| 20 | Apr 14, 1956 | 29 | 97 |