: YUNGBLUD intended for "Memories" to be a song that allows listeners to voice past traumas—whether related to relationships, abuse, or societal misconceptions regarding race and gender—and turn that pain into positive energy.
: In the video, YUNGBLUD and WILLOW portray each other's "toxic love interests," transitioning through intense emotions ranging from adoration to "glass-smashing rage". YUNGBLUD - Memories (Official Music Video) ft. WILLOW
: WILLOW's verse adds a layer of shame and regret, describing the feeling of being called a "pontificating hypocrite" and the struggle to understand one's own history rather than just burying it. : YUNGBLUD intended for "Memories" to be a
While the video frames the story through a volatile relationship, YUNGBLUD has clarified that the lyrics are rooted in his childhood experiences of abuse and his need to escape into his imagination. While the video frames the story through a
Colin Tilley employs classic "angst" imagery, primarily centered around a graffitied subway train.