According to the Walking In Memphis Songfacts, Cohn was discovered by Carly Simon in the mid-'80s when he was with a 14-piece band called The Supreme Court. Atlantic Records signed him in 1989, but the first attempts to record his debut album with Tracy Chapman 's producer David Kerschenbaum failed. Ten months later, he tried again, producing the set himself with help from the little-known Ben Wisch, who had helped him with his demos. Finally released in 1991 when Cohn was 31 years old, his self-titled debut album was a huge hit, thanks to the massive success of "Walking In Memphis." Cohn won the 1991 Grammy for Best New Artist award, beating out both Boyz II Men and Seal. Cohn never matched the chart success of this song, but like his musical heroes Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne , he remained a critical and artistic success as a songwriter and performer.
He has issued two other studio albums to date, The Rainy Season (1993) and Burning the Daze (1998), both on Atlantic Records. A self-released live compilation, Live 04-05 (2005), is being sold at concerts on his current tour.
He is the most famous graduate of Beachwood High School in Beachwood, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb. He attended Oberlin College as well. In addition, Cohn is notably married to ABC News journalist Elizabeth Vargas whom he met at the 1999 US Open after being introduced by Andre Agassi. Cohn and Vargas have two sons: Zachary Raphael (born on January 31, 2003) and Samuel Wyatt (born on August 16, 2006). Cohn has two other children— Max and Emily—from a previous marriage.
On August 7, 2005, Cohn was shot in the head during an attempted carjacking, following a concert with Suzanne Vega in Denver, Colorado. He was hospitalized and released the next day. The remaining concerts on the tour were cancelled.
Cohn released The Very Best Of Marc Cohn in June 2006, and his 4th studio album, Join The Parade, was released on October 9, 2007. He continues to tour to this day. For photographs and additional information visit Marc's official website, www.MarcCohn.net.
Perfect Love
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When there wasn't nothing but love to make,
They were two young lovers wishing on the stars above.
Well, they carved their initials in an old birch tree
With a heart and an arrow and a 'sixty-three.
You had to be blind not to see
It was a perfect love.
It was a perfect love.
Ooh, yeah, yeah.
Well, they worked one summer together at the '64 World's Fair.
They met Robert Kennedy there.
Well, that was
Right before the fall.
And they saved up a little bit of money for his career,
And they talked about the future underneath the giant sphere.
And all around them, the little voices were singing
It's a small world after all.
Yes it is, small world after all.
And it was perfect love.
It was a perfect love.
Ooh, yeah, yeah.
(Under the moon and stars above it was a perfect love)
Now they were dizzy from dancing on Rockaway Beach.
They came to Rockaway.
Yeah, and everything they dreamed of was still within reach
Dreaming, dreaming as the years roll by,
Like they always do.
Well, they had their share of hard times, too.
But whatever they were, they never let it get them down.
Now, they just go walking down a country lane;
See the leaves changing in the misty rain.
And only one thing remains the same, whoa. Ooh, yeah, yeah.
Just a perfect love
Ooh, yeah, yeah.
(Under the moon and stars above it was a perfect love)
The lyrics of the song Perfect Love by Marc Cohn narrate the story of two young lovers who carved their initials in a birch tree by the boathouse at Shaker Lake while wishing upon the stars above. The song describes their journey through the years and the ups and downs they faced while their love remained perfect. The couple worked together at the 1964 World's Fair and even met Robert Kennedy. The song highlights the hope and aspirations they had for each other's future.
The lyrics are emotional and describe the poignant moments of love that the young couple shares. The events narrated in the song serve as a testimony to the fact that love conquers all. The couple talked about their future under the giant sphere and made plans to support each other's career. Despite the hard times they faced together, they never let anything come in between the love they shared. The song speaks about the perfect love that they had for each other which remained the same through the years.
Line by Line Meaning
Down by the boathouse at Shaker Lake
The story starts with two young lovers sitting by the lake.
When there wasn't nothing but love to make,
These two lovers had no other worries when they were together except for the matters of the heart.
They were two young lovers wishing on the stars above.
They shared a special bond which was reflected in their wishes for each other.
Well, they carved their initials in an old birch tree
They left a mark of their bond on a natural object and carved their initials there.
With a heart and an arrow and a 'sixty-three.
They made their initials special by adding an arrow to signify their direction and a year they wanted to remember.
You had to be blind not to see
Their love was so pure that anyone could feel it just by being around them.
It was a perfect love.
The couple's love was so genuine and strong that it was faultless.
Well, they worked one summer together at the '64 World's Fair.
The couple worked together for a summer at the 1964 World's Fair.
They met Robert Kennedy there.
During their job, they met Robert Kennedy.
Well, that was
That was a time when their lives were happy and carefree.
Right before the fall.
This special time was followed by a challenging period.
And they saved up a little bit of money for his career,
They saved some money for a brighter future.
And they talked about the future underneath the giant sphere.
They discussed their future while gazing at a huge globe-shaped structure.
And all around them, the little voices were singing
In the background, they heard children singing happily.
It's a small world after all.
The song they heard was 'It's A Small World'.
Yes it is, small world after all.
The song reminded them of the interconnectedness of all things, just like their love.
And it was perfect love.
Even amid the noises of the fair, the two lovers felt a deep connection and a perfect love.
Now they were dizzy from dancing on Rockaway Beach.
The song goes to a time when the two were dancing together, feeling a joy that made their world spin.
They came to Rockaway.
The place was Rockaway Beach, where they went to enjoy each other's company.
Yeah, and everything they dreamed of was still within reach
Though they were happy with where they had reached, they still had bigger dreams and aspirations.
Dreaming, dreaming as the years roll by,
The couple continued their journey through life, dreaming as the years passed by.
Like they always do.
They never stopped dreaming, just as they never stopped loving each other.
Well, they had their share of hard times, too.
Life wasn't always kind to the couple and they had struggles along the way.
But whatever they were, they never let it get them down.
Tough circumstances couldn't bring the couple down because they always had each other.
Now, they just go walking down a country lane;
In their later years, the couple finds solace in walking together in the peaceful countryside.
See the leaves changing in the misty rain.
They enjoy the beauty of nature around them and feel the rhythm of the changing seasons.
And only one thing remains the same, whoa.
Despite all the change and uncertainty around them, one thing never wavers - their love for each other.
Just a perfect love
The song concludes with the artist reminding the listener of the couple's perfect love.
Ooh, yeah, yeah.
An expression of joy and a statement that what they had was truly wonderful.
(Under the moon and stars above it was a perfect love)
Through all the seasons and phases of life, this couple's love shone bright as the moon and stars above.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARC COHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind