Queensryche, "I Will Remember"

Posted by Luminator (A) on September 17, 2016 at 23:36:14

In October/November 1986, I borrowed the cassette of Queensryche's new album, Rage For Order, from a classmate. Maybe I was in Mr. Jackson's World History class, but I recall being with 2 or 3 friends. I don't recall her name (Melissa?), but a freshman held the cassette case, and unfolded the sleeve. She saw the hideous outfits Queensryche were wearing, and without saying a word, we knew that this was a nominee for the most laughably bad costume.

However, the album, though it dragged in spots, and became noisy here and there, was very good. It ended with the ballad, "I Will Remember," which cut across several school demographics, and was relatively popular, about as popular as heavy metal could get.

Now, as you get deeper into the Fall semester, the days here in the northern hemisphere get shorter. One Friday, my friends played sports after school. By 5:00p, it was getting hard to see the ball, so we packed up, and dispersed. I took the inbound M-Oceanview, and discovered that the tight-lipped girl, Julie, also took it. I had never seen her talk all that much, so I felt kinda -- meh -- sitting next to her. IOW, I didn't expect her to say anything, so I could retreat into the comfort of my Walkman.

We asked the usual questions: Where do you live? Which station do you get off? How long does it take to get home?

In her non-smiling manner, Julie asked if I wanted to come over to her house in North Beach for dinner. I threw up my hands, "Is that okay? Would your parents be okay with that?"

She just matter-of-factly said that, each weekday, her mom left food out for her. All Julie had to do was heat it up. Now if you know anything about San Francisco, its public transportation has always left a lot to be desired. We got off at Montgomery Street station, found a payphone, and told my parents that I wasn't coming home for dinner. Julie and I walked up Kearny Street. We kept looking back for a bus -- nope.

Since that was November, there was no fog. It was cool and dry. As we walked up the Broadway hill, there was something magical about the bluish-colored sky. As I tried to look for Coit Tower, I couldn't get Queensryche's "I Will Remember" out of my head. Julie just tilted her head, peering at the strip joints and flashing lights.

30 years later, I still remember that November '86 evening.

In 2003, Rage For Order was remastered (pictured above). One of my audiophile friends has this on SHM-CD, which, he says, sounds even cleaner than the standard CD.

I recently saw Julie at one of those noisy modern-day arcades. As a 40-something-year-old mom, she's more animated now, than she ever was in high school. She did indeed ask if I still listened to heavy metal (hell yes), and joked that it, and especially the power ballads, wasn't nearly as noisy as the arcade.

I understand that SAs have a skewed scale of what is "heavy." So that is another reason why I start them with the easy-to-like "I Will Remember." Everyone else enjoys the guitar interplay, and the cool-weather whistling.

-Lummy The Loch Monster

I Will Remember (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Topic - Queensryche, "I Will Remember" - Luminator 23:36:14 09/17/16 (1)

RE: Queensryche, "I Will Remember" - fantja 07:21:25 09/18/16 (0)

FAQ

Post a Message!

Forgot Password?

Moniker (Username):
Password (Optional):
	Remember my Moniker & Password (What's this?) Eat Me
E-Mail (Optional):
Subject:

Message:	(Posts are subject to Content Rules)

Optional Link URL:
Optional Link Title:
Optional Image URL:
Upload Image:
E-mail Replies:	Automagically notify you when someone responds.

To view your new posting or follow-up, click on the RELOAD or REFRESH button on your browser.