Marc Cohn — Walking In Memphis
Album: Marc CohnAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1540
Length: 4:07
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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 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?
I 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 did not see him
They just hovered 'round 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?
Now, 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 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 (oh, oh, oh)
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 (oh, oh, oh)
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
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 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?
I 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 did not see him
They just hovered 'round 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?
Now, 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 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 (oh, oh, oh)
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 (oh, oh, oh)
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
Comments (83)add comment
Not even sure why I really like this song, but for some reason it REALLY hits the Nostalgia Nerves in a hearty, happy, warm way. That's a Good Thing.
Unlike the melancholic, wistful way most nostalgic notes rain on the senses...
Unlike the melancholic, wistful way most nostalgic notes rain on the senses...
Great track.
Do I really feel the way I feel? This throws it across the existential divide, which poor Elvis was afraid to do. They got gospel in the air, but Elvis wasn't gospel. And Muriel outlived the great one, and for some is more famous for it.
jmjohall wrote:
Me too!
Great song. Great lyrics. Always loved this song
Me too!
Must be remastered? Sounds different than I remember.
justin4kick wrote:
They've got catfish on the table? Must be a huge piece of furniture
Wonderful surprise to hear this one 
Gave it a 10 worked for Marc worked for Chers cover. Great song.
Lighten up Miren
Lighten up Miren
I remember when this used to come on the radio back in summer 1991, I always assumed it was Michael Bolton. It was many years before I was aware it was someone else.
tgrier wrote:
I thought that was an inspired SNL piece.
Great Song. Walking in Staten? Anyone?
I thought that was an inspired SNL piece.
Great Song.
Walking in Staten? Anyone?
Excellent!
Schmaltz.
meatmike wrote:
You do walk down Union Ave to get to Sun Studios. Pretty sure that is what he is referring to.
As someone who's lived in Memphis a long time, there are several inaccuracies in the lyrics (you can't walk down Union Avenue to Graceland, for example), but the picture it paints of a rainy day in the city with the sites and the sounds lifting you up is a good one.
You do walk down Union Ave to get to Sun Studios. Pretty sure that is what he is referring to.
I heard an instrumental, guitars primarily, not "Walking in Memphis"
Actually I got "Winter Solstice" by The Tea Party played twice.
Actually I got "Winter Solstice" by The Tea Party played twice.
They've got catfish on the table? Must be a huge piece of furniture
Great memories of watching/listening to this on the X-Files with my then 13-year old. He was a huge fan. I can' hear this song without thinking of the bonds built doing simple things with my son.
So was your father W.C Handy or Elvis?
saellig668552 wrote:
100% agree.
It's also funny, since 'Cohn' is typically a Jewish surname.
c.
As an agnostic but sheer music lover (in case music might in fact be my religion, at least i gives me the feelings, i assume believers get during their rituals)-i can truly rely on these lines, they give me a chill everytime i hear this song:
And I sang with all my might
She said, "Tell me are you a Christian, child?"
And I said, "Ma'am, I am tonight!"
It's also funny, since 'Cohn' is typically a Jewish surname.
c.
As an agnostic but sheer music lover (in case music might in fact be my religion, at least i gives me the feelings, i assume believers get during their rituals)-i can truly rely on these lines, they give me a chill everytime i hear this song:
And I sang with all my might
She said, "Tell me are you a Christian, child?"
And I said, "Ma'am, I am tonight!"
And I sang with all my might
She said, "Tell me are you a Christian, child?"
And I said, "Ma'am, I am tonight!"
Heard this song too much pass
Proclivities wrote:
He probably got that line from the film. Dreadful tune, by the way.
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon" is a dreadful tune; not the same.
He probably got that line from the film. Dreadful tune, by the way.
"Tie A Yellow Ribbon" is a dreadful tune; not the same.
helenofjoy wrote:
ditto
I love to sing along - loud - with this song. It makes me feel great!!!
ditto
A great song from this album that is not on the playlist, and I wish it were, is "Strangers In A Car" -- riveting as an encapsulation of how people become lovers, or just get entangled with each other, for better or worse. Cohn leaves it vague which he means. It would be great to hear it here on RP.
Baby_M wrote:
It's the line that makes the song. He's also "... walking 10 feet off of Beale [Street] ...", after all. Is that 10 feet in the air? Or 10 feet away, through someone's front yard? The words come across as an embellished, euphoric journal entry at the end of the day, influenced by an existential dilemma he hasn't yet resolved. Lyrically, this song is just about perfect.
So, does he feel the way he feels? If he did not feel the way he feels, then he would feel some other way, but then that would be the way he feels and he could not feel that way even though he did, and ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL! NORMAN CO-ORDINATE!
It's the line that makes the song. He's also "... walking 10 feet off of Beale [Street] ...", after all. Is that 10 feet in the air? Or 10 feet away, through someone's front yard? The words come across as an embellished, euphoric journal entry at the end of the day, influenced by an existential dilemma he hasn't yet resolved. Lyrically, this song is just about perfect.
Yes. You feel the way you feel. Hope this helps.
newbolddrive wrote:
Actually liking the music never makes you guilty
What can I say? It's on my Guilty Pleasures playlist. C'mon, you have one too.
Actually liking the music never makes you guilty
Im raving Im raving!!!
OneSpyGirl wrote:
I'm an extremely accomplished musician (you'll have to take my word for it, but I've been playing piano professionally for over 50 years) and I think you're talking bollix.
Didn't like it then, like it less now. Overwrought lyrics, simplistic piano triads that impress non-musicians. Cohn's voice has a good quality but not much range as least this song does nothing to demonstrate it.
I'm an extremely accomplished musician (you'll have to take my word for it, but I've been playing piano professionally for over 50 years) and I think you're talking bollix.
Although it's probably overplayed on the local radio stations, it's still a fantastic song. And, in my opinion, not the best track on the album. I consider several songs to be superior, especially "Silver Thunderbird."
Up until 3 minutes ago I was dead certain this was a Bruce Springsteen song. 
Trite...isn't aging well
Great song. Great lyrics. Always loved this song
nope.
What can I say? It's on my Guilty Pleasures playlist. C'mon, you have one too.
I don't think he really feels the way he feels.
As someone who's lived in Memphis a long time, there are several inaccuracies in the lyrics (you can't walk down Union Avenue to Graceland, for example), but the picture it paints of a rainy day in the city with the sites and the sounds lifting you up is a good one.
She has got Bette Davis eyes?
Marc Cohn, "Walking in Memphis", great track, much better than the average 6 rating. Makes me join in.
MacHazzer wrote:
Sure I do. I don't understand the low ratings for this song anyway.
Does ANYONE like what Cher did to this song?
Sure I do. I don't understand the low ratings for this song anyway.
I love to sing along - loud - with this song. It makes me feel great!!!
No, no, thrice no.
This is not anywhere near the mainstream of my tastes, but the lyrics are quite good. I've never met anyone from Memphis that wasn't totally happy with where they lived. It's good, tuney pop. If that puts you off, so be it. It's not surprising that this song was a big hit.
OneSpyGirl wrote:
Songs don't get played because people don't like them. You just don't like it. What have you done? He wrote a song and put it out there. People liked it. It is as simple as that.
Didn't like it then, like it less now. Overwrought lyrics, simplistic piano triads that impress non-musicians. Cohn's voice has a good quality but not much range as least this song does nothing to demonstrate it.
Songs don't get played because people don't like them. You just don't like it. What have you done? He wrote a song and put it out there. People liked it. It is as simple as that.
avatar71 wrote:
Agreed...never could stomach this one...
Not quite RP worthy...
Agreed...never could stomach this one...
Nuance wrote:
Well put.
it is ass
Well put.
Not quite RP worthy...
Dave_Mack wrote:
He probably got that line from the film. Dreadful tune, by the way.
That line about "are you a Christian, child? — Ma'am, I am tonight" always cracks me up. Reminds me of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Teacher (Mr. Hand): Are you in my class?
Spicoli: I am today.
Teacher (Mr. Hand): Are you in my class?
Spicoli: I am today.
He probably got that line from the film. Dreadful tune, by the way.
romeotuma wrote:
Figures! Does everybody in your hotel room love this dreadful song?
I was born in Memphis, close to Graceland... love this song soooo much... sigh...
Figures! Does everybody in your hotel room love this dreadful song?
That line about "are you a Christian, child? — Ma'am, I am tonight" always cracks me up. Reminds me of Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Teacher: Are you in my class?
Spicoli: I am today.
Teacher: Are you in my class?
Spicoli: I am today.
Nothing to figure out or second guess with song. Simple....still sounds great!
Amazing song .... it takes me back to Memphis....and I have never been there! Fortunately, other radio stations have and still are playing this sweet, semi-get-down tune.
ROFL!!
OneSpyGirl wrote:
OneSpyGirl wrote:
Didn't like it then, like it less now. Overwrought lyrics, simplistic piano triads that impress non-musicians. Cohn's voice has a good quality but not much range as least this song does nothing to demonstrate it.
MacHazzer wrote:
nope.
Does ANYONE like what Cher did to this song?
nope.
Loved it then. Love it now. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice sing a long tune. :o)
Okay. Marc Cohn can do 'pop'. But he clearly loves the rhythm and soul of Memphis and New Orleans, even though he cannot (and shouldn't try to) duplicate the unique sounds of those locales. So he does the best he can to write songs about those places. No, he ain't Carl Perkins or Professor Longhair, that's obvious. But he loves the spirit of those places, where music is infused into every brick.
With that in mind, I like his songs about maybe the two greatest music cities in the U.S. No offense to Detroit, Minneapolis, SF Bay, Muscle Shoals, The Delta, Lubbock, or even Austin...
With that in mind, I like his songs about maybe the two greatest music cities in the U.S. No offense to Detroit, Minneapolis, SF Bay, Muscle Shoals, The Delta, Lubbock, or even Austin...
Didn't like it then, like it less now. Overwrought lyrics, simplistic piano triads that impress non-musicians. Cohn's voice has a good quality but not much range as least this song does nothing to demonstrate it.
So, does he feel the way he feels? If he did not feel the way he feels, then he would feel some other way, but then that would be the way he feels and he could not feel that way even though he did, and ILLOGICAL! ILLOGICAL! NORMAN CO-ORDINATE!
Always likes me a bit of Joe Cocker. . . . no wait. . . I just wanted Joe to be singing this. Oh well. . .
Artless lyrics & way too pop, especially for RP.
Arrrrrgggggg! "Really" The less you play this song the better
Never heard this one then. And, I hope to never hear it again.
Love that voice & piano.
it is ass
This song is really nice... might not be the best composition, or lyrics might not be 100% accurate... I don't know... but it deserves a big 10 for the great memories it always brings back!
He lost me with the "Delta blues/blue suede shoes" rhyme.
Man, he reallly hit gold with this one. What a great song.
Yes, finally back into rotation.
An uplifting little nugget, thanks Bill.
An uplifting little nugget, thanks Bill.
MacHazzer wrote:
Yeah, the great Mutato. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJeziztQXrE&feature=related
Does ANYONE like what Cher did to this song?
Yeah, the great Mutato. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJeziztQXrE&feature=related
I like it.
The definition of Ho Hum.
my wife just looked at me and said "really?"
If you're from the era there's a strong nostalgic connection to it, but even though I lived through it's first release it seems to have aged to the side of "kinda cheesy." (I'm being kind)
Over 10 years since this song has made Radio Paradise? I mean, can't we play Anna Ternheim one less time and find some space for this?
This song needs to be dusted off and given another spin.
Does ANYONE like what Cher did to this song?
This is purely a "feel good" song. Can you stop the corners of your mouth from turning up?
If only I would have listened to my Mama and kept practicing the piano .... I might sound as good as he does! :)
Do I really feel the way I feel? This throws it across the existential divide, which poor Elvis was afraid to do. They got gospel in the air, but Elvis wasn't gospel. And Muriel outlived the great one, and for some is more famous for it.
I learned from some of the new documentaries that Elvis was a lot more gospel than people may remember. He recorded over 30 gospel songs.