Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn Lyrics Meaning – Unveiling the Soul of a City in Song
Lyrics
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
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 ’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?
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
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)
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
Marc Cohn’s ‘Walking in Memphis’ is not just a song; it’s an emotive journey woven through the vibrant heartstrings of Memphis, Tennessee. With its stirring piano chords and soulful narrative, Cohn captures the essence of an iconic city that resonates with the deeper chords of American history, culture, and spiritual longing.
But to understand the profound impact of these lyrics, one must look beyond its catchy melody and delve into the poetic tapestry that makes this song a timeless testament to the human experience. Here, we unravel the song’s layers, exploring the spiritual crossroads where personal introspection meets the profound legacy of the Delta blues.
The Symbolic Sojourn in Suede Shoes
In the opening lines, Cohn adorns the ‘blue suede shoes’, catapulting listeners into an anecdotal pilgrimage that echoes with Elvis Presley’s legacy. Boarding a plane to the Delta is symbolic not only of a physical journey but also of an artist stepping into the hallowed territory where the blues were born—a rite of passage into a musical Mecca.
The ‘land of the Delta Blues’ enveloped in ‘pouring rain’ frames Memphis as a place of convergence—where sorrow melds with hope, where every drop of rain seems imbued with the struggles and soul of the bluesmen who’ve walked its streets before.
Invoking the Spirit of W.C. Handy
Cohn’s invocation of W.C. Handy, the ‘Father of the Blues,’ is a poignant beckoning for artistic guidance and blessing. Standing at a metaphorical crossroads, his painted imagery asks for a watchful eye from one of Memphis’s musical patriarchs, fostering a spiritual dimension that transcends mere tourism.
This connection to Handy isn’t a superficial name-drop—it’s an earnest yearning to tap into the wellspring of blues tradition, to feel the weight and significance of the path he’s walking, and to measure up to the giants whose shoulders he’s metaphorically standing upon.
Ghostly Encounters with The King
As the lyrics unfold, Cohn conjures the ‘ghost of Elvis’ near Graceland, imparting a spectral quality to the song. This spectral sighting isn’t merely about celebrity idolatry; it’s an ethereal brush with the essence of artistic immortality that Memphis has cemented in cultural consciousness.
Elvis, a figure entwined with both triumph and tragedy, represents a sort of spiritual guardian for the traveler who seeks authenticity in a place steeped in such personal and historical gravity. When Cohn describes watching Elvis ‘walk right through’ Graceland’s gates, it’s a transcendent moment that captures the enduring influence and omnipresence of The King in Memphis.
The Hidden Meaning Behind the Reverend Green and Catfish
Diving deeper into the cultural gumbo of Memphis, Cohn alludes to the gospel-infused currents that run beneath the surface. The mention of catfish and gospel, juxtaposed with encountering ‘Reverend Green,’ likely a nod to Al Green, offers a vibrant snapshot of Southern life where food, faith, and music are intertwined ingredients.
This layered verse points to an underlying narrative of redemption and solace found in communal experiences. In Memphis, the promise of gospel and the satisfaction of soul food are secular sacraments that offer hope for the weary and a glimpse of heaven on the banks of the Mississippi.
Memorable Lines: ‘Do I Really Feel the Way I Feel?’
Amid the rich fabric of allusions, one of the most memorable lines in ‘Walking in Memphis’ is Cohn’s repeated query, ‘But do I really feel the way I feel?’ This haunting refrain speaks to the existential quest for self-discovery within the context of a deeply emotive voyage to Memphis.
It’s a rhetorical pondering that encapsulates the dissonance between experiencing a place of profound cultural significance and understanding one’s individual connection to it. The magic of this line lies in its ability to provoke introspection not just in the singer, but also in the listener, inciting a personal search for meaning in the cross-section of place and identity.
