Think of Me Lyrics
Think of Me
[CARLOTTA]Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me, once in a while, please, promise me you'll try
When you find that, once again, you long
To take your heart back—
[MEG, BALLET GIRLS & ENSEMBLE]
He's here: the Phantom of the Opera
He is with us, it's the ghost
He's here! The Phantom of the Opera
He is with us, it's the ghost
[ANDRE]
Heavens! Will you show a little courtesy?
[FIRMIN, spoken]
Mademoiselle, please
[ANDRE, spoken]
These things do happen
[CARLOTTA, spoken]
Si, these things do happen
Well, until you stop these things happening, this thing does not happen
[MEG, spoken]
Christine Daaé could sing it, sir
[FlRMIN, spoken]
The chorus girl?
[GIRY, spoken]
Let her sing for you, Monsieur, she has been well taught
[CHRISTINE]
Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me, once in a while, please, promise me you'll try
When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember, stop and think of me
Think of all the things we've shared and seen
Don't think about the things that might have been
Think of me, think of me, waking silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard to put you from my mind
Recall those days, look back on all those times
Think of the things we'll never do
There will never be a day when I won't think of you
[The audience applauds.]
[RAOUL]
Can it be? Can it be Christine?
[RAOUL, spoken]
Bravo!
[RAOUL]
What a change, you're really not a bit
The gawkish girl that you once were
She may not remember me
But I remember her
[CHRISTINE]
We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But please promise me that sometimes you will think
[CHRISTINE vocalizing.]
[CHRISTINE]
Of me
Song Overview
Song Credits
- Producer: Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Writers: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe
- Release Date: 1986-10-09
- Genre: Musical Theatre, Classical Crossover
- Label: Really Useful Records
- Album: Love Changes Everything: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection, Vol. 2
- Track #: 6
- Language: English
- Mood: Sentimental, Romantic, Bittersweet
- Music Style: Operatic pop, West End show tune
- Featured Vocalists: Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton, Rosemary Ashe, David Firth, John Savident, Janet Devenish, Mary Millar
Song Meaning and Annotations
The Phantom's Influence and the Opera House's Atmosphere
Within the Paris Opera House, the legend of the Phantom looms large, instilling fear among the cast and crew. Mysterious "accidents" attributed to the Phantom have created an environment of apprehension. Carlotta, the prima donna, expresses her frustration by threatening to withdraw her performance unless these incidents cease.Christine's Unexpected Rise
Amidst this turmoil, Meg Giry, recognizing Christine's talent, suggests her as Carlotta's replacement. Madame Giry, a respected figure in the opera, supports this recommendation, highlighting Christine's rigorous training. This endorsement prompts the managers to consider Christine for the lead role.A Performance That Captivates
Christine's rendition of "Think of Me" contrasts sharply with Carlotta's style. While Carlotta's performance is marked by dramatic flair, Christine delivers the song with purity and simplicity, captivating the audience. This moment signifies Christine's emergence as a star and catches the attention of Raoul, her childhood friend.Layers of Meaning
The song's lyrics resonate on multiple levels. They reflect Christine and Raoul's shared past and the Phantom's longing for remembrance. The line "Think of me, think of me fondly" can be interpreted as the Phantom's plea to Christine, hoping she remembers the bond they shared despite the impossibility of their union.Symbolism and Transformation
Visually, Christine's transformation is symbolized by her change in attire, donning the costume previously worn by Carlotta. This shift represents her ascension within the opera's hierarchy and the beginning of her complex relationships with both Raoul and the Phantom.Reflections on the Past
The song also delves into themes of nostalgia and the passage of time. Lines like "Long ago, it seems so long ago, how young and innocent we were" evoke memories of Christine and Raoul's youthful days, underscoring the changes they've undergone.Emerging from the velvet-draped heart of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, “Think of Me” is less of a solo and more of a transformation. It’s the onstage chrysalis moment for Christine Daaé — the chorus girl turned star soprano. Delivered with trembling sincerity by Sarah Brightman and cast, this piece captures the bittersweet collision of memory, ambition, and longing.
Christine’s Awakening
The aria begins modestly:
Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
She’s not just asking to be remembered — she’s quietly pleading. There’s dignity in her restraint, a kind of stoic hope wrapped in nostalgia. This is no desperate cling to lost love, but a delicate tracing of what once was, and might never be again.
Transformation on Stage
As Christine begins her solo, the theatrical context is layered: Carlotta, the diva, storms off. The stage is in chaos. But the moment Christine opens her mouth, the show — and her future — stabilize. The music modulates to richer harmonies, blooming with orchestration that reflects her rising confidence.
We never said our love was evergreen / Or as unchanging as the sea
This is a lyrical masterstroke — subtly acknowledging love’s impermanence without bitterness. The sea metaphor hints at emotional depth and turbulence, but also the inevitability of change.
Echoes and Vocalization
Then comes the haunting climax. Christine soars — literally — into an extended vocalization that’s less about lyrics and more about resonance. Brightman’s high notes aren’t just technical bravado. They shimmer with the ache of memory, vibrating like unsent letters lost in time.
Structurally, “Think of Me” balances operatic formality with heartfelt accessibility. It’s simultaneously a plot device and an emotional microcosm — a love letter sung from a distance neither time nor fame can quite bridge.
Similar Songs
- "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" – Sarah Brightman
Another gem from The Phantom of the Opera, this track delves even deeper into grief and remembrance. Unlike the elegant restraint of “Think of Me,” this one pleads more openly. Thematically aligned in memory and loss, the two tracks are sonic sisters — both wrapped in orchestral swells and ghostly echoes. - "On My Own" – Lea Salonga (from Les Misérables)
Eponine’s solo carries similar emotional DNA. A woman left behind, singing into the wind. But while Christine holds on to memory with gentleness, Eponine embraces it with painful realism. Stylistically, both draw from musical theatre’s tradition of yearning ballads, delivered in haunting half-lit scenes. - "Time to Say Goodbye" – Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman
Now here’s a cross-genre twin. Though not from a musical, its operatic flourishes and sweeping orchestration mirror “Think of Me.” Both are about parting ways, but where “Think of Me” is introspective and grounded in narrative, “Time to Say Goodbye” is cinematic and universal — yet equally heart-tugging.
Questions and Answers
- What is the main theme of "Think of Me"?
- The song centers on remembrance — the quiet persistence of past love in the corridors of memory. Christine asks her listener to recall her not as a diva, but as someone who once mattered.
- Who sings "Think of Me" in the musical?
- Primarily sung by Christine Daaé, portrayed famously by Sarah Brightman, though Carlotta attempts to sing it before the Phantom’s interruption changes the course of the show.
- Why is “Think of Me” important in the story of Phantom of the Opera?
- It marks Christine’s transition from chorus girl to star, setting off the chain of obsession and romance that defines the musical’s tragic arc.
- What vocal range does “Think of Me” require?
- It requires a soprano with serious chops — fluid vibrato, strong control, and the ability to hit crystalline high notes with clarity and emotion.
- Is “Think of Me” based on real-life events or people?
- Not directly, but it draws from operatic traditions and romantic archetypes that mirror real human experiences of loss, longing, and missed chances.
Awards and Chart Positions
While “Think of Me” as a standalone song didn’t chart, its parent production The Phantom of the Opera won the 1986 Olivier Award and the 1988 Tony Award for Best Musical. Sarah Brightman's interpretation became iconic, helping to drive the show to become the longest-running Broadway production in history. The Royal Albert Hall performance in 2011 was a widely celebrated milestone event.
Fan and Media Reactions
"Sarah’s voice is so crystal clear, it’s like she’s singing directly into your memories." – YouTube user, OperaObsession1993
"This performance gave me goosebumps... every time she hits that high note, I get emotional." – comment by PhantomFan_89
"Christine’s moment of triumph. You can feel the nerves and the blossoming confidence in every note." – TheaterNerd22
"Raoul’s reaction is everything. You can see the realization hit him like a train." – comment from NostalgiaKnight
"Nothing compares to the original cast. Brightman IS Christine. End of discussion." – user comment by CurtainCallLover
Critics praised the performance for its technical virtuosity and emotional nuance. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has described Brightman’s voice as “otherworldly,” a perfect match for the ethereal tragedy that defines the musical’s core.