I Think I May Want to Remember Today

Song Meaning

The lyrics capture a moment of profound, almost startling, romantic awakening. WOMAN 2 initiates with a detached, observational tone, framing the encounter as a transaction to be documented. She declares, "I think I may want to remember today," but her focus is on the act of recording, suggesting a need to process something significant. This sets up a contrast with WOMAN 1's immediate, uninhibited emotional response. WOMAN 1's perspective shifts the narrative from observation to visceral experience. She describes meeting "the most totally beautiful man," a statement that immediately elevates the encounter beyond mere acquaintance. The repetition of "I think I may want to remember today" from both speakers, but with WOMAN 1's more passionate delivery, highlights the shared yet distinct impact of the moment. The lyrics suggest that for WOMAN 1, this is a sudden, overwhelming realization, while for WOMAN 2, it's a catalyst for intellectual cataloging. The imagery of the man's physical presence is striking, particularly WOMAN 2's description: "Broad as the masthead on ships / Like a pair of boulders." This grand, almost monumental depiction contrasts sharply with WOMAN 1's recollection of him as "skin and bone" when they met as children. This juxtaposition emphasizes not only his physical transformation but also the profound emotional impact he now has, transforming him from a familiar figure into an object of intense desire and awe. The shared confession of a "remarkable sound" and a "heart that is starting to pound" unites the two women in a physical manifestation of their emotional response. The specific mention of "this tenth of October" grounds the experience in a concrete date, underscoring its importance. The lyrics effectively convey the overwhelming nature of falling in love, where a single encounter can feel monumental enough to warrant permanent remembrance, shifting from detached observation to a shared, pounding realization.