Memphis
Lloyd Cole Lyrics


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Well I’d like to go to Memphis
but I don’t know the way
and I’d like to tell you how I feel
but I don’t know what to say

And I love to go to heaven
but I’ve forgotten how to pray
So just help me keeping
from sliding down some more

Well I tried to get back to her
but I got lost on the way
I’d start again tomorrow
but I don’t know what day it is

And I’d sure like to love you
if you show me the way
Just help me keeping
from sliding down some more

I don’t know what it’s like out there
but in here it’s getting darker
I’ve got a lot of things to share
but it’s sure rough getting there

Well I’d like to give you all I’ve got
but I don’t know what that is
And I’d like to take you with me
but I don’t know where that is

And I know there must be something
Some place some way to live
So just help me keeping
from sliding down some more

Just help me keeping
from sliding down some more
Some more

Just help me keeping
from sliding down some more

Just help me keeping
from sliding down some more





Original lyrics by Karen Black

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Lloyd Cole's "Memphis" express a deep sense of confusion and uncertainty. Cole expresses his desire to go to Memphis and to tell someone how he feels, yet he doesn't know the way and doesn't know what to say. The phrase "I’d love to go to heaven but I’ve forgotten how to pray" suggests a loss of faith and a sense of being lost.


Cole then talks about trying to get back to someone but losing his way, indicating that his life has become directionless. The line "I’d sure like to love you if you show me the way" speaks to a desire for guidance and support from others. The repeated plea for help in "just help me keeping from sliding down some more" further underscores the need for a helping hand amid feelings of hopelessness.


Overall, "Memphis" paints a picture of someone struggling to find their way and hold onto hope. The song taps into universal human emotions of confusion, uncertainty, and the need for support in difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I’d like to go to Memphis
I have a desire to go to Memphis, but I am lost and don't know the route.


but I don’t know the way
I am not aware of the route that leads to Memphis.


and I’d like to tell you how I feel
There are things I want to express, but I am struggling to find the right words.


but I don’t know what to say
I am facing difficulty to articulate my thoughts and emotions.


And I love to go to heaven
My heart's desire is to be in heaven someday.


but I’ve forgotten how to pray
I am struggling to return to my religious practices and forget how to communicate with the divine.


So just help me keeping
I am requesting for assistance to keep me steady and not deviate from the right course.


from sliding down some more
I am slipping, and I need your help to not fall further.


Well I tried to get back to her
I attempted to return to someone, but the attempt was unsuccessful.


but I got lost on the way
I lost my path and way to get back to that person.


I’d start again tomorrow
I plan on making another attempt to remedy the situation the next day.


but I don’t know what day it is
I am not aware of the current day and might forget my plan to try again tomorrow.


And I’d sure like to love you
I have deep feelings towards you and would like to pursue a romantic relationship.


if you show me the way
I require guidance and help from you to succeed in this endeavor.


I don’t know what it’s like out there
I have no idea what the circumstances are like outside of my current situation.


but in here it’s getting darker
Things are becoming increasingly difficult and bleak for me in my present situation.


I’ve got a lot of things to share
There is a lot on my mind that I desire to express and communicate.


but it’s sure rough getting there
The process of trying to communicate my thoughts and feelings is challenging and overwhelming.


Well I’d like to give you all I’ve got
It is my wish to give you everything that I possess.


but I don’t know what that is
I am unsure of what I have and am capable of giving.


And I’d like to take you with me
I would love for us to embark on a journey together.


but I don’t know where that is
I don't know the destination or direction of that journey.


And I know there must be something
I am confident that there is something that can help me and improve my situation.


Some place some way to live
I believe there is a specific way and location that can make my life more fulfilling and meaningful.


Just help me keeping
I am pleading for you to provide aid and support for me and my situation.


from sliding down some more
I am afraid of losing my stability and falling further into a negative situation.


Some more
I am concerned that my situation will only continue to worsen.




Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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