Memphis TN
Dan Bettridge Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For Memphis, Tennesse,
Aint nothing left for me,
Can't stand the air I breathe.
Mmmmmmm,
Tennessee.
A girl they've never seen,
A girl so pretty
She's only dreamt in dreams.
Mmmmmmm,
Jolene.
I bought my first guitar,
All covered in rhinestone stars,
Got laughed at by men in bars,
With leather boots and scars.
Mmmmmmm,
I'm a star.
Oh baby I'm famous now,
You told me I'd make it somehow,
But all this means nothing to me,
Without you here in Memphis, Tennessee.
The lyrics to Dan Bettridge's song "Memphis Tn" explore themes of leaving behind a city that no longer feels like home, the power of dreams and unattainable beauty, and the struggle of pursuing creative passion in the face of ridicule and rejection. The opening lines express a sense of restlessness and dissatisfaction with the singer's current surroundings. They describe leaving for Memphis, Tennessee, with the implication that this change will bring something new and better to their life. The repetition of 'Tennessee' suggests a longing for a new beginning, a fresh start.
The second verse offers a contrast between reality and fantasy. The singers mention the song 'Jolene,' which is a classic hit by Dolly Parton. In the song, she talks about a woman named Jolene that she, her husband, and her life are threatened by. The singers, however, are not referring to a person they know or have seen. For them, Jolene exists only in their imagination, a symbol of beauty and desire that they cannot have or touch. The lyric is a commentary on the power of music to create our own narrative, where we can exist in parallel worlds or become lost in our imaginations.
Lastly, the third verse reveals the pain and disappointment of trying to succeed in the arts. The singer recalls buying their first guitar, something that represents a significant investment in time, energy, and money. They also mention getting laughed at by men in bars, the so-called gatekeepers of music culture, who are dismissive of anyone outside of their narrow definition of success. However, despite this adversity, the lyric 'Mmmmm, I'm a star' is a statement of self-affirmation, an embrace of the inner creative who refuses to give up on their dreams. However, the song also reveals the limitations of fame without love, where the singer conveys that without the person they care about, all the attention means nothing. In summary, "Memphis Tn" is a poignant and honest reflection on the quest for purpose, meaning, and love in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh today I leave,
I am leaving today.
For Memphis, Tennesse,
I am heading to Memphis, Tennessee.
Aint nothing left for me,
There's nothing left for me here.
Can't stand the air I breathe.
I don't like the atmosphere here.
Mmmmmmm,
A nonspecific vocalization.
They sing of Jolene,
People sing about Jolene.
A girl they've never seen,
A girl they do not know.
A girl so pretty
She's extremely beautiful.
She's only dreamt in dreams.
People only dream about her.
Mmmmmmm,
A nonspecific vocalization.
I bought my first guitar,
I purchased my first guitar.
All covered in rhinestone stars,
It was decorated with rhinestone stars.
Got laughed at by men in bars,
Men in bars laughed at me.
With leather boots and scars.
These men had scars and were wearing leather boots.
Mmmmmmm,
A nonspecific vocalization.
Oh baby I'm famous now,
I am famous now.
You told me I'd make it somehow,
You said I would be successful somehow.
But all this means nothing to me,
Being famous means nothing to me.
Without you here in Memphis, Tennessee.
Without you, my love, being in Memphis, Tennessee isn't worth it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Daniel Osian Ieuan Bettridge
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind