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.
Turn to Me
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come to me
Give me something to believe
Before I turn on every vow
Turn to me if you still know how
Spent my share of restless days
Coal black suitcase
All the while I was breaking down
Turn to me if you still know how
[Chorus]
I tried to tell you but I don't know how
Every smile's turned upside down
I'm a freak show in a one joke town
So turn to me if you still know how
Change comes slowly it's just
a little hard to see
I know some of my demons
They're still haunting me
Wanting me
Fallen angel
Comfort me
Help me get back on my feet
'Cause I can't keep myself from falling down
I just can't keep myself from falling down
So turn to me if you still know how
[Chorus]
The song "Turn to Me" by Marc Cohn is a meaningful and introspective ballad that tackles the theme of redemption and the need for human connection. The lyrics are directed towards a "fallen angel," probably someone who was once close to the singer but has since fallen out of grace, and they ask for guidance and support before they turn their backs on all their vows. Here, the singer acknowledges their own flaws and struggles, as they describe spending their share of restless days, carrying around a coal black suitcase, and breaking down. Despite all this, they still yearn for a way out and hope that the fallen angel can give them "something to believe."
The chorus further emphasizes the singer's loneliness and desperation, as they try to express their feelings but can't find the right words. They feel like every smile has turned upside down, making them a "freak show in a one joke town." The song also alludes to the slow process of change and how the singer's demons are still haunting them. Ultimately, they plead for their fallen angel to comfort them and help them get back on their feet before they fall down again.
Overall, "Turn to Me" is a poignant and reflective song about the human need for companionship and solace, especially during our darkest hours. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and delivered with emotion and sincerity, making it a standout track in Cohn's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Fallen angel
Addressing someone who has fallen from grace
Come to me
Asking the person to come to the singer
Give me something to believe
Asking for hope or guidance after experiencing doubt
Before I turn on every vow
Before losing faith in everything promised
Turn to me if you still know how
Asking for the person's help if they are still capable of doing so
Spent my share of restless days
Had his fair share of sleepless nights
Coal black suitcase
Blacked out memories
Fall from grace
Lost the status or respect they once had
All the while I was breaking down
While he was struggling internally
Turn to me if you still know how
Asking for the person's help if they are still capable of doing so
[Chorus]
Refrain or chorus of the song
I tried to tell you but I don't know how
Struggling to communicate his feelings
Every smile's turned upside down
Feeling depressed or unhappy
I'm a freak show in a one joke town
Feeling like an outsider or outcast
So turn to me if you still know how
Asking for the person's help if they are still capable of doing so
Change comes slowly it's just
Change happens gradually
a little hard to see
Difficult to recognize
I know some of my demons
Aware of his personal flaws
They're still haunting me
His personal flaws still affect him
Wanting me
His personal flaws still tempt him
Fallen angel
Addressing someone who has fallen from grace
Comfort me
Asking the person to provide comfort
Help me get back on my feet
Asking for assistance to recover
'Cause I can't keep myself from falling down
Struggling to prevent negative thoughts from taking over
I just can't keep myself from falling down
Unable to prevent himself from becoming overwhelmed
So turn to me if you still know how
Asking for the person's help if they are still capable of doing so
[Chorus]
Refrain or chorus of the song
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KEVIN J. SALEM, MARC COHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind