You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory

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"You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" is a song released in 1978 by ex-New York Doll Johnny Thunders. It is essentially a rewrite of "Lonely Planet Boy", solely credited to David Johansen, from the Dolls' eponymous debut album, New York Dolls. The new title was taken from a line in "Better Living Through TV", an episode of the TV sitcom, The Honeymooners.

Considered by many his signature song, this poignant ballad centers on Thunders' heroin addiction. Though still in his 20s, he understands that he is fighting a losing battle with his best years long behind him. Thunders did survive 13 more years of self-destruction, but ultimately, the song's bleak message became prophetic.

[edit] Covers

Guns N' Roses covered the song on their album, The Spaghetti Incident?.
The Mighty Wah! recorded an edited version of the song, featuring only the opening four lines of the first verse and the chorus.
Manic Street Preachers Singer & Guitarist James Dean Bradfield played the The Mighty Wah! edit of the song on several dates of the 2004 Lifeblood tour as intro to Cardiff Afterlife, dedicating the song to the band's missing lyricist Richey Edwards.
Giant Sand covered Thunders "You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory" on the album Ballad of a Thin Line Man [1986]
Ronnie Spector, beehived temptress of The Ronettes, recorded a version of the song on her 1999 "She Talks To Rainbows" EP featuring Joey Ramone.