Try to Remember (Reprise)

Song Meaning

The reprise of "Try to Remember" opens with a stark, almost primal affirmation of love between Matt and Luisa. They repeatedly declare "You are love," stripping away metaphor and complex description to arrive at the core essence of their connection. This directness suggests a profound realization, a state where the feeling itself transcends any attempt to define it, becoming the ultimate truth. The spoken interjections from Bellomy and Hucklebee introduce an external perspective, framing the couple's reunion as a "miracle." This moment of triumph, however, is immediately countered by El Gallo's intervention. His command to "leave the wall" and "always leave the wall" introduces a crucial thematic tension, implying that the memory of struggle or separation is necessary, even in the face of apparent resolution. El Gallo's subsequent lyrics pivot to the core message of the original song, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of remembrance. He contrasts the warmth of "the fire of September" with the inevitable "snow" of December, suggesting that pleasant memories are most potent when viewed against a backdrop of potential hardship or loss. The line "Without a hurt the heart is hollow" is particularly striking, positing that emotional depth and appreciation are forged through past pain. Ultimately, this reprise suggests that true appreciation for love and happiness isn't found in a permanent state of bliss, but in the conscious act of remembering. The lyrics propose that the memory of what was difficult, or what could be lost, is what allows us to truly value the present warmth. The "wall" remains as a testament to this understanding, a necessary boundary that sharpens our perception of what lies beyond it.