The song “Walking in Memphis” is Marc Cohn’s first single released after signing with Atlantic Records, and is the opening track of his self-titled album.
Cohn traveled to Graceland (Elvis Presley’s mansion) to check it out and gather inspiration, but along the way, he also managed to find other in...
[Verse 1]
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
[Chorus]
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?
[Verse 2]
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
[Chorus]
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?
[Bridge]
They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
But boy you've got a prayer in Memphis
[Verse 3]
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"
[Chorus]
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?
[Verse 1]
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
[Outro]
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring
Rain
Walking In Memphis was written by Marc Cohn.
Marc Cohn released Walking In Memphis on Thu Feb 21 1991.
Beale refers to a street in Memphis which is famous for its various connections to blues music.