The day since I met her
I can't believe it's true
She came here from Memphis
Across the ocean sailing

And I saw her and I pleaded
Why do you come so far?
And she said," Trying to get to you
How I tried to get to you
Trying to get to you"

I'm sending a letter
I'll send it right to you
I'll send it to Memphis
I know that someday

Everything I needed and I wanted
Used to be that my head was haunted
And all these sirens they make me mad
And all this violence it brings me down

I feel strong, I feel lucky
Trying to get to you
Said I'm going to get to you
Trying to get to you

Overall Meaning

The Pixies’ ‘Letter to Memphis’ is a song about a long-distance relationship. The singer met his lover in Memphis and she sailed across the ocean to be with him. Although he cannot believe she is finally with him, he is still amazed that she came from so far away. The lyrics portray the singer as being anxious about the distance, asking her why she came so far. However, her response shows her strong desire to be with him, stating that she has tried hard to get to him. The singer sends a letter back to Memphis, hoping that someday everything he needs and wants will be waiting for him there.

The song has a somber tone and uses elements of romanticism to evoke strong emotions in the listeners. There is a sense of longing and hopelessness that is expressed by the singer, who is waiting for his lover to return. The use of sirens and violence can be interpreted as a metaphor for the challenges and obstacles that a long-distance relationship presents. The singer feels lucky to have found someone who is willing to cross oceans for him, but at the same time, he feels overwhelmed by the distance between them.

Overall, ‘Letter to Memphis’ is a song that captures the passionate intensity of long-distance relationships. It is a reminder that love can conquer all and that nothing can stop two people who are meant to be together.

Line by Line Meaning

The day since I met her
Since the day I met her

I can't believe it's true
I am in disbelief that it actually happened

She came here from Memphis
She traveled here from Memphis

Across the ocean sailing
She sailed across the ocean to get here

And I saw her and I pleaded
When I saw her, I begged her

Why do you come so far?
Why did you travel such a long distance?

And she said," Trying to get to you
She replied by saying she came to find me

How I tried to get to you
She explained how difficult it was to reach me

Trying to get to you"
Her ultimate goal was to be with me

I'm sending a letter
I will send a letter

I'll send it right to you
I will send it directly to you