Walking In Memphis

Song Meaning of Walking In Memphis by Marc Cohn

The song's lyrics, which are autobiographical, recount a 1985 journey to Memphis that struggling singer-songwriter Cohn took to get over a case of writer's block. He went to Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, a small nightclub in adjacent Mississippi, the church where former soul singer Al Green was preaching, and he also wandered about downtown Memphis' streets before returning to New York to start writing the song.

"Walking in Memphis" is "100 percent autobiographical" said Cohn. "The song is about more than just a place; it's about a kind of spiritual awakening, one of those trips where you're different when you leave," he continued, describing it as a song about "a Jewish gospel-music-lover."

In 1992, when the 32-year-old Cohn won the Grammy for Best New Artist, it was nominated for Song of the Year at the 34th Annual Grammy Awards.

In 1991, the song became Cohn's lone top-forty hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 list, peaking at number 13. In Canada, Ireland, and Australia, the song peaked at number three, seven, and eleven respectively. Since then, "Walking in Memphis" has been covered numerous times, most notably by Cher in 1995.

Lyrics of Walking In Memphis by Marc Cohn

Put on my blue suede shoes

And I boarded the plane

Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues

In the middle of the pouring rain

W.C. Handy

Won't you look down over me

Yeah I've got a first class ticket

But I'm as blue as a boy can be

Then I'm walking in Memphis

I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel?

Saw the ghost of Elvis

On Union Avenue

Followed him up to the gates of Graceland

Then I watched him walk right through

Now security they did not see him

They just

Hovered around his tomb

But there's a pretty little thing

Waiting for The King

Down in the Jungle Room

When I was walking in Memphis

I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

But do I really feel the way I feel

They've got catfish on the table

They've got gospel in the air

And Reverend Green

Would be glad to see you

When you haven't got a prayer

But boy you've got a prayer in Memphis

Now Muriel plays piano

Every Friday at the Hollywood

And they brought me down to see her

And they asked me if I would

Do a little number

And I sang with all my might

She said

"Tell me are you a Christian child?"

And I said

"Ma'am I am tonight"

Walking in Memphis

(Walking in Memphis)

I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

(Walking in Memphis)

But do I really feel the way I feel

Walking in Memphis

(Walking in Memphis)

I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale

Walking in Memphis

(Walking in Memphis)

But do I really feel the way I feel

Put on my blue suede shoes

And I boarded the plane

Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues

In the middle of the pouring rain

Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues

In the middle of the pouring

Rain