Betty Buckley sings "Over You" and "Memory" (1984)

[ftjax]

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time ? I remember seeing this on the Tonight Show....this would be one of the stops along the way !

[rellenoz]

I was beautiful...then.

[ed7hanke]

It would be strictly OK with me if there was only one "Memory" ... as long as it is Betty Lynn's. The one. The only.

[taypar11]

Ms. Buckley is one of the greatest of all time!!! Texas born and bred. She doesn't just sing a song, she feels it. I'd marry her right now if I could. I'd love to wake up in the morning to her singing in the shower.

[ivelosthewilltolive]

7:30 to 7:50 that's all one breath folks

[reinvent2000]

I love this SO MUCH! Thank you. Thank you.

[rellenoz]

I could study the memory performance for hours. So many nuances. Her diction and vibrato. Its sheer genius

[timboytx]

@rellenoz So true, rellenoz. I still marvel at how self-possessed she is....so fearless, calm and in control, giving herself completely to the song.

[rellenoz]

@timboytx Thank you so much for posting this. I remember the Carson appearance as a kid, and I'd try to tape it whenever it repeated. I just knew I liked her voice, but couldn't really explain why. Now, as an adult I know. I thank you.

[pixystyx66]

I saw her in CATS in L.A. this year

[ValtronW]

@pixystyx66 She's no longer playing this role. It was probably someone else.

[DISCOBABY1956]

I have heard/seen three versions of her sing Memory, and this is the best. I would have thought that the version of her doing it during the original Cats on stage would have been the best, but not in this case. I have also heard Barbra Streisand's version and it is also very good. Were you sitting in the audience to record this? The clarity is wonderful. Wish I had seen the play...but thanks for sharing.

[timboytx]

@DISCOBABY1956 I taped this on a VHS recorder as it was originally broadcast on NBC in 1984.

[Cookieman0144]

I saw this when it first aired in 1984... I never forgot it and have told many that it was the BEST rendition of 'Memories' ever recorded. I have seen Cats performed live multiple times on and off Broadway. (Unfortunately not with Betty Buckley) 

Thank you Timboy, this takes me back to the time of quality entertainment!

[jajvick]

Interesting version of a great song...Not quite Lane Brody but not bad.

[rvcrvc2]

@jajvick Ms Brody's version was good but I think she had a lot more electronic assistance than Betty has, or needs, here.

[7855waldo]

Just one more depressing reminder that Jay Leno's guests today are recruited from garbage cans.

[ValtronW]

You know what makes this? How slowly she sings it. All of the newer performers of Griz sing it so damn generically, with no feeling. It's truly a shame.

[TGPOCB]

how wonderful. Thanmk you

[taypar11]

Poster vinnyknuckles is so right on about Johnny Carson. He was a comedian who knew when to be serious. Conan is a joke. He couldn't carry Carson's mike on stage. Same for David Letterman. Only Jay Leno comes close to Carson.

[ffranzos]

I was trying to explain to someone how Celin Dion can blast but has no personality in her voice. This shows everything that Dion lacks. I still have this on VHS I taped over the airwaves (in bad quality). I've always loved this.

[timboytx]

@ffranzos That's a very good way to describe it: personality. A beautiful voice with no personality is generic, even if it is pleasant to hear. Personality is what makes a voice unique. Thanks for your post.

[taypar11]

What a great talent Betty Buckley is. Singer, actress and man can she slap the hell out of that ho in Carrie!

[noodle0912]

Why Betty, why? Why didn't you do the VHS version?

Would have been incredible.

[BlackMacaroons]

MS COLLINS <3

[chazinko]

Inspiring... nothing more to say.

[djp1129]

Yes, she is a great lady of the theatre.

[rvcrvc2]

I'm surprised how many times, in the past few months, I've invested 9:31 to watch and listen to this marvelous little performance.

[timboytx]

@rvcrvc2 I know just what you mean! I'm guessing I've spent 2.65 months of my life watching it, all together.

[gookiemusic]

@rvcrvc2 Okay, so I'm not the only one. She is still incredible a quarter of a century later.

I am going to see her perform live in New York City in April. It is a request show. I'm requesting "Over You" and hope she'll sing it. :)

[rvcrvc2]

@gookiemusic Well I certainly hope she does it for you. Maybe you could report back following the concert, if you're of a mind to share the experience.

[themonaghans]

@gookiemusic I've seen her in concert a few times, the last time as recent as last year. She's still absolutely amazing and awe inspiring. I've heard of this "request show" and it sounds fantastic.  Have a great time.

[djp1129]

I studied with Betty and she was a lot of fun to be around.

Just her laugh alone would break your eardrum.

She is an amazing talent.

[themonaghans]

@djp1129 That's nice to hear.

[noodle0912]

I just wish I could've been alive to see her actually perform. What'd I'd give....

[ftjax]

OMG There is no justice on this earth...If so I could be half that good !

[guyver2095]

Simply marvelous!, amazing and classy.

[joskiism]

Thanks so much for posting! I have been playing this clip over and over again and I hear something new in it each time. what a voice and what emotion.

[ronnyneedles]

That voice could be a weapon. Wow!

[rvcrvc2]

How did this song, (Over You,) escape the attention & esteem it deserved? It was an AA nominee, even.

[highbelter]

@rvcrvc2 Yeah, it's kinda crazy; despite being nominated for an AA and performed by Betty on TV several times including the Country Music Awards, she didn't record it for the movie soundtrack! It should've been a hit for her.

[GIASIMBA]

Wow...just a thrill...goosebumps. Johnny was totally taken with her. A diva for all times...thanks timboytx for posting...love you Betty!

[BTURNER1961]

You know, she doesn't need that mike to be heard. Its about everyone else needing or wanting her to use it. She was about the last generation of Broadway star who was expected to do this for two hours or more, 4 days a week for months on end, reaching the cheap seats of New York's or London's largest theaters and never needing the understudy to relieve her. Not that many today couldn't do it, but the vocal stamina just isn't demanded anymore. Superb voice.

[TheatreGeekish]

OMG i would kill to have her "TOUCH ME" vocal cords and i'm a boy

[gooboo1000]

ABBY ROCKS!!!!

[fontanadam]

I remember seeing this back in 1984 on Carson. I am absolutely thrilled and very shocked to see it again. Thanks timboytx for converting the VHS to Youtube.. I love Betty Buckley, even when she was on 8 is enough. This is the kinda stuff that makes Internet worth having. Once again, thanks a million, it's wonderful hearing and seeing Betty.

[girlsincancun]

thanks timboytx, awesome betty buckley

[EvanOz85]

She sings on one breath from "touch me" to "days in the sun." Incredible.

[LucaBellaRants]

I loved her in Carrie, man, she slapped the crap out of a couple of people!

[Onry1]

look how far away she holds the mike and still belts it out without any problems...

[AtLastOnTheGround]

Is it weird that I'm a guy, and yet I sometimes daydream about what it would be like to steal Betty's vocal cords and just walk around the house singing "TOUUUCH MEEEE" all the time? I could amuse myself for months.

[timboytx]

The song "Over You" can be found on the CD "Betty Buckley (15 Year Anniversary Re-release)", which you can order at amazon.com

[angela8257]

is this song, over you, in any cd by buckley? i would love to find it. it was one of my favorite scenes from Tender Mercies

[Elizabethri2127]

BEST mEMORY ever!!

[beentheredonethatb4]

Betty Buckley has always been my favorite performer of Memory. I've seen and heard others sing it, but she is the consumate professional in the delivery of the message of this song.

[Lindow]

Quite astounding how even back at a relatively early age she already had that astounding 'age' meaning life experience and pain in her timbre. When you compare this to Betty 20 years later the voice had not changed much. Amazing artist and a really old soul I'm sure.

[Museleaders]

@Lindow betty wasnt really that young here... she was 37 here, but ya, she is amazing

[bevsoprano]

I've heard every recording of Betty singing this, but this is the absolute best. WHAT A VOICE!

[pasatio]

Where else besides here and the movie can she be seen and heard singing this awesome tune?

[JaymoLACa]

It is also on her 1995 cd, "The London Concert"

[coffeylass]

@JaymoLACa Thank you for this info. Just put it on hold at our library. Can't believe iTunes doesn't have it.

[karrezza]

Tony Awards Youtube, but its shortened version. She sings it on the CATs album not any movie.. thats Elaine Page.

Also, other cd compilations have her singing it.

[timboytx]

@karrezza I think pasatio was asking about "Over You", not "Memory".

[karrezza]

@timboytx My bad.. there was another Youtube of her singing it at the Grammys that year.. but it got pulled??? Its like why? This wasnt by NBC!

[coffeylass]

@pasatio I found it on her London Concert album.

[pasatio]

Wow...this is awesome!

[gookiemusic]

I can't believe they didn't let her sing Over You at the Academy awards. Her voice is incredible. I still love this song and her phrasing is impeccable. I always get chills when I listen to her sing these.

[scot623]

Really...one of the best singers ever!

[lcowles]

Good Lord. "Touch Me. It's so easy to leave me all alone with the memory of my day in the sun."---one single breath. She's outstanding.

[yescandles]

I love to watch her work the microphone! I know that sounds like a small thing with all that she is but quite frankly there are those that do not and it makes a HUGE difference in the delivery of a song.

[jimatron4444]

It doesn't get any better than this

[scot623]

goosebumps! awesome...

[macgillacuddy]

I remember being blown away when I heard her sing. I only ever new her as the mother in Eight Is Enough! (heeheehee). But the power of her voice and her interpretation exemplifies that you don't need a costume or grand orchestra, to communicate a character and its feeling. There is no other that sings this song like her.

[brieat7]

The best of the best.

[78kljk]

I still love you, Abigail.

-John

[TheComplainer]

Perfection.

[furayfaithful]

not only a great singer...both technically and with soul....a sometimes rare combination...but, a great actress....demonstrating both here in these two songs.

[timboytx]

What a contrast between Betty and some contemporary "pop" singers who go for a light, breathy sound seemingly devoid of emotion. I'll take Betty and her kind any day.

[Lindow]

This is out of this world! Did anyone else notice she did the entire FOUR phrases of the climax in ONE breath? Unbelievable. Not just the voice with its unearthly timbre but also the technical skills. Out of this world! To this day the reigning Grizabella by far.

[timboytx]

So true, Lindow! I never get tired of hearing this.

[passuoutnw]

and she somehow vibratos that e flat in "touch me its so "easy". With the phrasing, that is extraordinarily hard to do with control.

[PD1981]

An absolutely stunningly beautiful lady with an amazing voice

[tiptoe221]

Beautifully done. And it's such a difficult song with quite a range.

[DivaBehavior]

Thank you SO much for posting this. I must have played that "TOOOOOUUUCH MEEEE!" at 7:31 about a hundred times. Never heard another voice as powerful as Betty Lynn's.

[mycatsweetheart]

Gives me goosebumps!

[percywilma]

She is FANTASTIC !!

Does anyone know where this song can be purchased or downloaded ?? No sign of it on itunes.

[yahuzzy]

She's gorgeous and what a voice!! Even Johnny looks smitten!

[DA90027]

When I saw her in Carrie, then Eight is Enough I never thought much of her, UNTIL I heard her sing. Been a fan ever since.

[cheergirl809]

She is an amaizing singer.

She is a Family friend. :-)

[kevl64]

Thank you for posting this amazing clip. I've seen Betty perform many times and I am always amazed. I saw her sing Memory a few years ago and you could actually see the transformation of this incredible woman into the tired beautiful cat that performs this song. It was breathtaking.  She is a true, pure talent.

[TEgnoto89]

7:33 - 7:50.. one breath, wow.

[gransoldado]

Realmente es hermoso y puedo estar toda la noche escuchando memories

[fjcnlr]

Thanks for posting this. Betty sings so effortlessly. She just opens her mouth and the songs just pour out...She's amazing.

[beentheredonethatb4]

Thanks for posting. She has always been one of my favorite performers. I love both of those songs and especially her performance of Memory. I have seen others perform the role of Grizabella, but to me, she is the consumate actor/singer for that part.

[fludu1]

Her acting is fantastic in this

[WHATTHEBUCKSHOW]

wow! thanks for posting!

[timboytx]

Very glad you enjoyed it!

[Heytay123]

I met her last night.

[felipeedoardo]

really? what was that like?

[captainjill]

Thanks for posting this! I had the great privilege of watching Betty Buckley as Norma Desmond in London, an experience I will never forget.

I agree that her recording of Memory is possibly the best I have ever heard. Love it when she hits the high note at the end.

[Chicagoan444]

I remember seeing this when it first aired. It thrilled me then, and it thrills me now. I remember how this amazing performance, and how the audience was absolutely up for grabs after she sang. Really amazing. Thanks for posting this.

[LiberalAchi]

wow, almost as good as Mara Getz. She's a very good second place

[bevsoprano]

This is truly stunning. And I miss Johnny Carson so much! Thank you for posting this; Betty is a goddess and a legend and she OWNS this piece.

[htshoward]

Love that song from Tender Mercies...Over You! Brava, Betty!

[VinnyKnuckles]

Fantastic. By the way, Johnny Carson was the man also. Conan O'Brien is an abomination in comparison.

[diendama]

Amazing performance of Memory. Buckley is simply amazing. Nice post.

[jazzmelody9]

wow...

[JustLikeACircus]

such emotion, she just IS Grizabella

[ginnyskeepers]

Bar none--the best "Memory" recorded.

[wickedismycrack714]

THE most amazing performance of Memory ever given. Period.

[rantaylor1]

i love the effortless way she sings. She steps out of the way and lets the magic just flow! And that breath control... oh wow.

[funkydancer1]

um.. wow.

[wholeNwon]

It was about two years ago, on my birthday, that I sat just a few feet in front of Betty Buckley while she looked down at me and sang "Memory".

Tomorrow is the anniversary of that wonderful evening. When you compare Ms. Buckley's performance of her signature song with that of Elaine Paige, you can see and hear why Ms. Buckley's is definitive art.

[bettybern]

she sang to me this year on my birthday -- serenity. wonderful. happy happy!!!

[AtLastOnTheGround]

And another thing --

She does 7:31 - 7:48 all in one breath. Are you serious Betty? I don't even think this woman is human! haaa she's phenomenal!

[AtLastOnTheGround]

7:31

Oh my GOD. I literally gasped. That is freaking AMAZING! Betty's voice is SO orgasmic!

[tbagwellpianist]

Wow, this lady has it.

[asherhawke]

This is so great! I have been a big fan of BB since I saw her in Carrie the Musical...THANKS FOR POSTING

[descentlover]

wow, she can DEF sing!!!

[ftjax]

Memories...that's what you have given us ......Betty...you're great..as usual !

[virginQ]

the great voice from the Lone Star State of Texas!

[X2008XHans]

its fantastiskt

[X2008XHans]

najs

[lancetop]

She was in Carrie, the film!

[queermm]

The feelings and emotions you are left with after hearing this woman perform are not only priceless, but nearingly once in a lifetime. Everytime she sings I sit up and pay attention. Hers is the best version of this number, and I've never seen or heard anyone sing it with such conviction and grace and exhuberant emotion. I feel every word and am left trembling after her crescendoes and especially her "Touch me." Her "Touch me" is the bar none best of all time. I love betty buckley

[timboytx]

I love it when I read comments like yours, and so many others here. I can't be very objective when it comes to Betty, since we share a hometown, and my mom knows her mom from years of going to the same church. I've been a fan of hers since about 1970 when I saw her sing "I Don't Know How to Love Him" at a church service in Fort Worth.

[toewhite]

Yes, thank you for posting this! Her voice inspired me early on and I still think she's vocally the best Grizabella!

When I was in high school, I wrote her a fan letter and invited her to hear me sing in Godspell at my school. She tactfully responded that she was performing in Edwin Drood the nights of my show (I didn't expect her to take me up on the invite), but I thought it was so generous of her to respond!

Do you happen to have video of her as Martha Jefferson in 1776?

[timboytx]

Thank you for the comment. No, I do not have any more clips of her, sorry to say.

[Phantomja]

I thin she's the best too!

[highbelter]

Betty Buckley at her best! Thanks so much for posting this, timboytx! I am a long-time crazy BB fan, and I think this is my favorite video of her performing. Just spectacular. (I must say, though.... Boy do I wish you had a tape of that "I don't know how to love him"...!!! Did you see her perform other times back in the day?)

[timboytx]

highbelter, I do not have a tape of "I Don't Know How to Love Him". Sure wish I did. I did not see her perform any other time during those early years. I did see her as Maria in "The Sound of Music" at Casa Manana in Fort Worth just before she went to New York to start performing in "Cats".

[paocho3]

I graduated from TCU w/Betty.

She was amazing even back then.

I was what many would consider a "DORK", but whenever we would pass each other, Betty would always look at me, and smile this beautiful smile.

I remember that to this day.

She was a professional back then and she still is to this day.

And, she WAS Grizabella.

[floop1111]

Is anyone this good anymore????? Hard to find a replacement.... oh yeah, she is still performing and still has an amazing voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!

Priceless performance.

[timboytx]

You are welcome! I've been amazed at how enthusiastically this clip has been received. Betty has LOYAL fans.

[themonaghans]

I vividly remember this show. I made an audio tape at the time, but it has eroded. I think about this performance a lot, so thank you so much for posting it.

[JadeEstebanEstrada]

Betty is so amazing. Thanks for posting.

[txteen91]

I love Betty Buckley!

[jamielen68]

Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this! What a thrill! "Touch me...of my days in the sun." Pure vowels, no scoops, NO BREATH!! She is simply the best.

[Jackxxxjackxxx]

it's good. But i think it's more beautiful in the movie because of the context.  Tender mercies is a wonderful story and performance.

[Vandekamps01]

After all these years. It seems a alittle to affected at times. Yes it is beautiful but more of the story comes through in this performance and the melody and song seem a bit understated. It's just and opinion.

[foxmort]

ty ty ty ty....I'm speechless..now that is a voice

[Rrichboy]

OMG

I used to watch this 20 yrs ago on VHS but tape was ruined. Thank you.

[mmadjane]

Thanks so much for posting this!

I just adore her she's too cute. And that VOICE.

:)

[bettybern]

fabulous!!!! waiting with patience and love for feinstein's.  thank you for posting.

[pomegranatefreak]

What a find - thanks so much, timboytx!!

[mettanc]

u know i think i actually so this when it first appeared.

[TheComplainer]

Gold. Thanks so much for uploading!