While putting finishing touches on the song, Bryan shared the title and a short preview on June 14, 2023.[1] Initial confusion sparked by the title of a John Prine ballad of the same name led Bryan to explain that he wanted to change the song title at first but ultimately went with it as is since a change did not "sit right" with him.[2] He played an acoustic rendition of the track on his Instagram on July 25.[3]
Composition
"I Remember Everything", a "sparse ballad"[4] about "love and life", reflects a conversation between a man and a woman who used to love each other. While the protagonists were widely noted as being in a relationship, the song could as well talk about a "past summer beach romance" in an "'88 Ford", as suggested by Rolling Stone.[2] The couple in question reaffirms the authenticity of their past feelings and experiences through their lyrics. The couple shares "tragically different perspectives" on alcohol and its role throughout their relationship.[5] While Bryan reminisces on the upside of their relationship, Musgraves recalls more negative connotations, accusing him of not being the man he once swore to be.[6] Accompanied by just an acoustic guitar and a set of strings towards the end, Bryan croons "painstakingly simple yet poetic" lines that Musgraves opposes as his counterpart.[4] Their energy on the track together was described as "a gale", combining Musgraves' signature elements of "yearning" and Bryan's "reputation on strong songwriting".[7]
The song was a groundbreaking success and marked several historical achievements.[11] After its first week of sales debuted at number one of the Billboard Hot 100 with 33.7 million streams, 263.000 airplay audience and sold 10,000 downloads, becoming both Bryan and Musgraves' first number one song on the chart and the 70th one to debut at number one in the chart history.[12][13] The song also debuted at number one on the Streaming Songs chart and peaked at four on Digital Song Sales.[14]
The song become the first to top the Hot 100, Hot Country Songs and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts simultaneously since the chart were published.[14] As of February 26, 2024 the song had remained at the top of the Hot Rock & Alternative chart for 26 consecutive weeks;[15] it is also the 25th song to have topped both the Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs.[14] Despite its commercial success, the song received only moderate radio airplay reaching 26 on the Country Airplay chart and 30 on the Pop Airplay chart.
International
In Canada "I Remember Everything" debuted at number two on the Canadian Hot 100, becoming both Bryan and Musgraves' first top ten song on the chart.[16] The song also peaked at number sixteen on the Canada Country chart, "I Remember Everything" marked Bryan's second entry and Musgraves' seventh in the rankings, as well as the highest placement for both artists.[17]
In the United Kingdom the song debuted at number fifty-six on the Official Singles Chart, becoming Musgraves' first appearance on the chart and Bryan's second entry.[18][19] "I Remember Everything" peaked at number fourteen on the chart on week ending on January 18, 2024.[20] In Ireland the song peaked at number five on the Irish Singles Chart, becoming both artist highest placement on the chart.[21]
"I Remember Everything" debuted at number nineteen on the ARIA Singles Chart, becoming Musgraves' first appearance on the chart.[22] The song peaked on the chart at six on the week ending on October 20, 2023, giving Bryan two simultaneously top ten songs charting with "Something in the Orange".[23]
Charts
Weekly charts
Weekly chart performance for "I Remember Everything"
