walking in memphis

Please improve this article if you can. (August 2008) This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (January 2009) “Walking in Memphis” Single by Marc Cohn

from the album Marc Cohn Released 1991 Format 7" single, CD maxi Genre Rock Length 4:18 Label Atlantic Writer(s) Marc Cohn Producer Marc Chon, Ben Wisch Marc Cohn singles chronology "Walking in Memphis"

(1991) "Silver Thunderbird"

(1991)

"Walking in Memphis" is the signature song of American singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, from his self-titled 1991 album Marc Cohn. The song became Cohn's biggest hit, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, after being re-released in fall 1991, reached #22 on the UK chart. The popularity of this song helped Cohn win the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1991. Contents [hide] 1 Original version 1.1 Story 1.2 Meaning 1.3 Track listings 1.4 Charts 2 Cher version 2.1 Song information 2.2 Formats and track listings 2.3 Official versions 2.4 Charts 3 Lonestar version 3.1 Chart positions 4 Other covers 5 References 6 External links //

Original version

Story

The story behind this song: the singer, Cohn, was a young aspiring singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. He'd never been to Memphis before; in fact he'd never travelled at all. Upon reaching the South he was very moved emotionally after seeing an Al Green sermon, and underwent both spiritual transformation and professional growth. Al Green is referenced in the lyrics as "Reverend Green." It was there in Memphis he met his first wife Cindy, about whom he wrote the acoustic cult classic "Cindy Sue, I Love You". The evocative song contains references to Elvis Presley and W. C. Handy.

Meaning

The song opens with what might sound like an allusion to Elvis—referencing the protagonist putting on his "blue suede shoes." The "Blue Suede Shoes" reference is actually to Carl Perkins, who recorded the song in Memphis for Sam Phillips at Sun Records. Perkins' ill-luck in a car wreck stopped him from touring to promote the record, allowing Elvis' cover version to become a massive hit. Presley's copy was recorded at RCA studios in Nashville. The narrator tells of seeing "The ghost of Elvis up on Union Avenue and followed him up to gates of Graceland." Sam Phillips' studios were called "Memphis Recording Service" and were at 706 Union Avenue. Elvis' start on the journey to fame and fortune (i.e. Graceland) is usually attributed to the success of "Blues Suede Shoes" - and that of "Heartbreak Hotel." "Now, security did not see him" is probably a comment on the story that Bruce Springsteen once successfully scaled the wall at Graceland, trying to deliver a song he wrote. Apparently, Elvis wasn't there. "There's catfish on table and gospel in the air" marks the dichotomy between secular and sacred.