"You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" is a song released in 1978 by

Johnny Thunders John Anthony Genzale (July 15, 1952 – April 23, 1991), known professionally as Johnny Thunders, was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter. He came to prominence in the early 1970s as a member of the New York Dolls. He later played with ...

. The title was taken from a line in the "

Better Living Through TV Better Living Through TV is the 7th episode of the TV series ''The Honeymooners'' that aired November 12, 1955. The 1950s were considered the golden age of advertising, with many brands sponsoring entire shows. Occasionally, the commercials becam ...

" episode of the sitcom '' The Honeymooners''. It is considered by many to be his

signature song A signature (; from la, signare, "to sign") is a Handwriting, handwritten (and often Stylization, stylized) depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and ...

. The ballad has been interpreted to be about Thunders'

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

addiction, and about his romance with

Sable Starr Sabel Hay Shields (August 15, 1957 – April 18, 2009), better known as Sable Starr, was a famous groupie, often described as the "queen of the groupie scene" in Los Angeles during the early 1970s. She stated during an interview published in the ...

. However, according to

Nina Antonia Nina Antonia (born Nina Antonia Benjamin in 1960) is an English author who has chronicled the lives and misadventures of Johnny Thunders, the New York Dolls, Peter Perrett, and the elusive Brett Smiley. Antonia's later work has explored decade ...

's biography, '' Johnny Thunders...In Cold Blood'', the song was written before he was even a member of the

New York Dolls New York Dolls were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved much commercial succe ...

, and years before he ever tried heroin.

Covers

Guns N' Roses Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1985. When they signed to Geffen Records in 1986, the band comprised vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKa ...

covered the song on their album, ''

"The Spaghetti Incident?" ''"The Spaghetti Incident?"'' is the fifth studio album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses. The album is composed of covers of older punk rock, hard rock, and other songs. ''"The Spaghetti Incident?"'' is the only studio album to ...

''. All the instruments on this version were performed by Duff McKagan. * Billie Joe Armstrong of

Green Day Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, together with bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For most of the band's career, they have been a powe ...

covered the song on the album ''

No Fun Mondays ''No Fun Mondays'' is a compilation album of cover songs by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, released on November 27, 2020. The project consists of 14 cover songs released during quarantine for the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the "No Fu ...

''. * Ronnie Spector (featuring Joey Ramone) covered the song on her album ''The Last of the Rock Stars''. * The song appears in the documentary about Thunders's New York Dolls bandmate

Arthur Kane Arthur Harold Kane Jr. (February 3, 1949 – July 13, 2004) was a musician best known as the bass guitarist for the pioneering glam rock band the New York Dolls. Kane was a founding member of the Dolls in 1971 and remained an integral part of the ...

, ''

New York Doll ''New York Doll'' is a documentary based on the life of former New York Dolls member Arthur Kane. It was nominated for both a Satellite Award and a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered in 2005. Synopsis The fil ...

''.Screen: New York Doll
by Richard Abowitz. November 10, 2005 (show date; post-date of review unclear). Accessed February 22, 2021. * The Bruisers covered it under the name "Ode To Johnny" on their 1997 CD EP, "Still Standing Up". * Nick Oliveri covered the song on the

Mondo Generator Mondo Generator (sometimes known as Nick Oliveri and the Mondo Generator) is an American rock band founded in 1997 by Nick Oliveri. History Formation and ''Cocaine Rodeo'' (1997–2002) Nick Oliveri (under the moniker ''Rex Everything'') fo ...

release, '' Australian Tour EP 2008'', and also performed it live with Queens Of The Stone Age occasionally.

References

{{Authority control 1978 singles Johnny Thunders songs Guns N' Roses songs Manic Street Preachers songs Songs written by Johnny Thunders 1978 songs