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.
True Companion
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes I'm cruel
And when it comes to love, I'm just another fool
Yes, I'll climb a mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God, girl
Could keep you safe from me
Out across this canyon
I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion
So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you alright
When I take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers
And I'll lift up your veil
Then I'll take you home
And with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
Oh, a true companion
When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like that couple on the corner do, 'cause
Girl I will always be in love with you
When I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark
Then when I leave this Earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion
In Marc Cohn's song "True Companion," the singer expresses his deep longing for a loyal and committed partner to share his life with. The lyrics capture the singer's search for his true love, admitting that while he's made mistakes in the past, he's committed to finding someone who will stand by his side through thick and thin. The chorus emphasizes this desire, with the repeated refrain "True companion" conveying his need for a partner who is authentic and loyal.
The second verse builds upon this theme, with the singer expressing his determination to pursue and win the love of the woman he desires. He envisions their wedding day, where he'll take her hand and lift up her veil, symbolizing his deep commitment to her. In the final verse, the singer projects into the future, imagining his and his partner's old age, where they will walk arm in arm and continue to love each other deeply even as they face the challenges of aging and mortality.
Overall, the song portrays the search for a deep and unshakeable love, and the need for a partner who will be a constant source of support and companionship throughout life's journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I've been searching like everybody else
I have been searching for love like everyone else
Can't say nothing different about myself
I am the same as everyone else who has been searching for love
Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes I'm cruel
I have my fair share of flaws and can be both a good and bad person
And when it comes to love, I'm just another fool
I am foolish when it comes to love just like anyone else
Yes, I'll climb a mountain
I am willing to go through any obstacle for you
I'm gonna swim the sea
I am determined and will do anything for you
There ain't no act of God, girl
No obstacle even from God can stop me from being with you
Could keep you safe from me
I will always be there to keep you safe
My arms are reaching out
I am asking you for your love
Out across this canyon
I am willing to reach across any distance for you
I'm asking you to be my true companion
I am asking you to be my partner for life
So don't you dare and try to walk away
Please do not leave me
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I am determined to marry you
I've got this vision of a girl in white
I have a dream of seeing you as a bride
Made my decision that it's you alright
I have chosen you and I am sure about it
When I take your hand
When we are married
I'll watch my heart set sail
I will be so happy that my heart will feel like it's sailing
I'll take my trembling fingers
I will be nervous when I lift your veil
And I'll lift up your veil
I will unveil you as my bride
Then I'll take you home
I will take you to our new home
And with wild abandon
With complete passion and freedom
Make love to you just like a true companion
I will make love to you like a loving and devoted partner
When the years have done irreparable harm
When we become old and frail
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
We will walk side by side
Just like that couple on the corner do, 'cause
Like the other old couples we see
Girl I will always be in love with you
I will always be in love with you
When I look in your eyes
Each time we look at each other
I'll still see that spark
I will still see the love in your eyes
Until the shadows fall
Until the day we die
Until the room grows dark
Until we close our eyes for the last time
Then when I leave this Earth
When I die
I'll be with the angels standin'
I will be with the angels in heaven
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
I will be waiting for you, my true companion
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARC COHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SANDRA TILLETT-HAIN
My husband picked this song for our wedding....we had a total of 24 years together. He passed away 10 years ago, 7/13/08....I know he's waiting for me. Such a lovely song.
Victor Klee
Oh God your story is beautiful..Thank you
Bill Rutherford
I've just been asked to play this for a wedding first dance this summer. Glad it's passing on through the generations!
Lisa Colvig-Niclai - Personal
Oh my goodness 🙏 I just heard this for the first time the other day and broke into goosebumps... just sent it to my husband who is out of town working. Then I read your comment... oh man. What a husband yours must have been 🙏 a love like that only happens once in a lifetime .
Steve Mccown
So so sorry for your heart ! He had great taste in Music ! Take care of yourself & God be w/ your journey !
v1ntag3v1x3n
Today is my 20th wedding anniversary. I have spent 14 of them as a widow.
My husband picked this as our wedding song, and I listen to it once a year at the time we took our first dance.
We didn’t get to the stage where "the years have done irreparable harm" but he is up there waiting xx
djnato10
This is without question one of the best love songs ever written. I think I've only been to one wedding where this wasn't on the playlist. Marc Cohn truly wrote one of those iconic songs that will forever live on, it's timeless.
lnr243
I met her at the age of 13 and at 49 she is still the one and only true companion. I wish everyone that true companion.
john9944
It is hard to believe this song is over 20 years old. It is as fresh as when it was new. One of the greatest love songs EVER. It talks about 20 years from now, twenty years ago. The song is about...now.
carrie h
I was reunited with my first love after 24 years and he surprised me with this song as he wanted to let me know just how much he has missed and loved me all these years and wanted to find the right words to tell me. This song is now going to be our wedding song and I also want him to know that I have never loved anyone more then him and he makes my life so complete and has shown me what it's truly like to feel alive and also feel like a woman again. Love You David! Your My World!!