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 childrenโ Max and Emilyโfrom 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.
Walking In Memphis
Marc Cohn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
W.C. Handy, won't you look down over me?
Yeah, I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a boy can be
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Saw the ghost of Elvis
On Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through
Now security they did not see him
They just hovered 'round his tomb
But there's a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King
Down in the Jungle Room
When I was walking in Memphis
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?
They've got catfish on the table
They've got gospel in the air
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
When you haven't got a prayer
But, boy, you've got a prayer in Memphis
Now Muriel plays piano
Every Friday at the Hollywood
And they brought me down to see her
And they asked me if I would
Do a little number
And I sang with all my might
She said
"Tell me are you a Christian child?"
And I said "Ma'am, I am tonight"
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
(Walking in Memphis)
But do I really feel the way I feel?
Put on my blue suede shoes
And I boarded the plane
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
In the middle of the pouring rain
In this song, "Walking in Memphis," Marc Cohn tells the story of his journey to Memphis, Tennessee. He puts on his blue suede shoes and takes a trip to the city of blues to get a feel of the place. He touches down in Memphis in the middle of the pouring rain and requests W.C Handy, the famous blues musician, to look over him. Despite having a first-class ticket, he is blue as a boy could be.
As he walks through the city, he feels as though he is floating ten feet above the street. He even sees the ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue and follows him up to the gates of Graceland. Although the security does not see Elvis, he watches him walk through the gates of his former mansion. Marc notices a pretty little thing waiting for the King down in the Jungle Room.
He meets people like Reverend Green, who are always ready to share their gospel music, and Muriel, who plays the piano every Friday at Hollywood. The author's journey to Memphis is a spiritual one. He feels that he has found a piece of himself that he never knew was missing. "Walking in Memphis" reflects on the power of music and the city's rich history and culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Put on my blue suede shoes
I dressed up and got ready for my trip to Memphis, which carries personal significance for me.
And I boarded the plane
I got on the plane and flew to Memphis, where I hoped to find inspiration.
Touched down in the land of the Delta Blues
I arrived in Memphis, which is known for its rich history of blues music.
In the middle of the pouring rain
It was raining heavily when I arrived, but that didn't dampen my spirits about being in Memphis.
W.C. Handy, won't you look down over me?
W.C. Handy was one of the pioneers of blues music, and I hoped that his spirit would inspire me during my time in Memphis.
Yeah, I got a first class ticket
I was fortunate enough to have the means to travel comfortably to Memphis.
But I'm as blue as a boy can be
Despite my privilege, I am still feeling down and in need of something to lift me up emotionally and spiritually.
Then I'm walking in Memphis
I am experiencing the unique and special feeling of being in Memphis and all that it entails.
Was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
I felt like I was walking on air, so to speak, like I was floating above Beale Street in Memphis, which is known for its vibrant music scene.
But do I really feel the way I feel?
I question whether my emotions and perceptions of my experience in Memphis are accurate or not.
Saw the ghost of Elvis
I had a surreal experience of seeing what appeared to be the ghost of Elvis Presley, who is an important figure in Memphis music history.
On Union Avenue
I saw this apparition on a street in Memphis called Union Avenue, which has its own place in musical lore.
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
I had an experience where I felt I was following Elvis Presley's ghost up to the gates of his famous mansion called Graceland.
Then I watched him walk right through
In my mind's eye, I saw the ghostly Elvis pass through the gates of Graceland without being noticed.
Now security they did not see him
The ghost of Elvis seemed invisible to the security personnel at Graceland, further adding to the surreal nature of my experience.
They just hovered 'round his tomb
Security personnel at Graceland were paying attention to Elvis's tomb, as the real-life Elvis Presley is buried there.
But there's a pretty little thing
There was an attractive young woman who caught my eye during my visit to Graceland, adding a human element to the supernatural events I witnessed.
Waiting for the King
This young woman seemed to be waiting for Elvis, who is often referred to as 'the King' of rock and roll music.
Down in the Jungle Room
The Jungle Room is a famous room in the Graceland mansion that is decorated with a jungle-like theme, and is understandably a popular spot for visitors.
They've got catfish on the table
I had a meal where catfish was served as the main dish, which is a staple of Southern cuisine and a symbol of Memphis dining culture.
They've got gospel in the air
There was a feeling of spiritual energy and joyfulness that pervaded the atmosphere of where I was dining in Memphis.
And Reverend Green be glad to see you
Reverend Green is a figure who spreads messages of hope and inspiration in Memphis, and would be happy to meet newcomers to the area.
When you haven't got a prayer
Even when you are feeling lost and struggling to find meaning in life, Memphis and the people there can provide you with hope and a sense of purpose.
But, boy, you've got a prayer in Memphis
Despite your struggles, you can find spiritual solace and inspiration in Memphis that can help you move forward.
Now Muriel plays piano
Muriel is a musician in Memphis who plays the piano, and is known for her talent and contribution to the city's music scene.
Every Friday at the Hollywood
Muriel has a regular gig playing the piano every Friday at a club called the Hollywood, where locals and tourists come to hear her play.
And they brought me down to see her
Someone brought me to see Muriel play the piano as part of my Memphis experience, hoping that it would lift my spirits.
And they asked me if I would
The people who introduced me to Muriel asked me if I would perform a song with her.
Do a little number
This is another way of asking if I would play a song with Muriel.
And I sang with all my might
I gave it my all when singing with Muriel, pouring all of my emotions into the performance.
She said
Muriel spoke to me after our performance, reflecting on what had just happened.
"Tell me are you a Christian child?"
Muriel asked me a deeply personal question, inquiring about my faith and beliefs.
And I said "Ma'am, I am tonight"
I responded honestly but reflectively, acknowledging that my experience of Memphis had opened my heart and mind in new ways, and temporarily making me feel more in touch with a sense of faith and spirituality.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Marc Cohn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ericengbloom3857
Dont forget about that Silver Thunderbird ....!
And that last sexy
Romatic song of the Album
I made it our song
For US โค !
OUR WEDDING
AND WHEN WE MAKE LOVE....
ALONG WITH
THE PRETENDER!
BOLERO!
KINKY
WHAT EVER GETS THRU THE NITE
LENNON
TAXI CAB DRIVER
LITTLE RED CORVETTE
LITTLE NIKKI
CREAM
WHEN DOVES CRY
MELLISSA(sweet) ALLMAN BRO.
ANGEL : BONNIE RAITT
LOOK BEDRM WNDW
MELISSA ETHRIDGE
PURPLE RAIN
CRESCENDO !!!!
@59771006
Cohn has said that "Walking in Memphis" is "100 percent autobiographical". He has described it as a song about "a Jewish gospel-music-lover", and added that "the song is about more than just a place; it's about a kind of spiritual awakening, one of those trips where you're different when you leave. He was inspired to write "Walking in Memphis" by a 1985 visit to the Memphis, Tennessee area. At the time, he was working as a session singer in New York City while pursuing a recording contract. In 2014, he recalled:
One night while listening to all of my demos, I came to the realization that I shouldn't be signed, because I didn't have any great songs yet... I was 28 years old and not in love with my songs. James Taylor had written 'Fire and Rain' when he was 18, and Jackson Browne wrote 'These Days' when he was only 17. I thought: 'I'm already ten years older than these geniuses. It's never going to happen for me.' So it was a pretty desperate time, and I went to Memphis with that struggle at the forefront of my mind.
Cohn made his first excursion to Memphis after reading an interview with James Taylor in which Taylor stated he overcame writer's block by going to a place he had never been. Emulating Taylor, Cohn chose Memphis as his destination. Cohn states that a friend told him that "there were two things in particular that I had to do [in Memphis], things that would forever change me. They later became the centerpieces of 'Walking in Memphis'." Cohn added:
The first thing was go to the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church on a Sunday morning to hear the Reverend Al Green preach ... I [soon] had chills running up and down my spine. The service was so deeply moving that I found myself with sweat running down my face and tears in my eyes, totally enveloped by everything I was seeing and hearing. There was something incredibly powerful about Al Green's voice in that context. Even after three hours of continuous singing, his voice only got stronger and his band only got better. I sat there crying in the church, aware of the irony of how I used to cry in Synagogue in Cleveland as a kid โ but because I wanted to get the heck out of there! Al Green's service was one of the great experiences of my life."
The second piece of advice was that Cohn visit the Hollywood Cafรฉ in Robinsonville, Mississippi (35 miles south of Memphis) to see Muriel Davis Wilkins, a retired schoolteacher who performed at the cafe on Friday nights. Cohn remembered:
When I arrived, Muriel, who ... was in her 60s, was onstage playing a beat-up old upright piano and singing gospel standards ... I felt an immediate connection to her voice, her spirit, her face, and her smile. I was totally transfixed by her music. While many of the patrons were busy eating and not paying close attention to Muriel, I couldn't take my eyes off her. During her breaks, the two of us would talk. Muriel asked me why I was there, and I told her I was a songwriter trying to find inspiration. I also told her a little bit about my childhood โ how when I was two and a half years old, my mom had passed away very unexpectedly, and about ten years later, my dad had passed away and I'd been raised by a stepmother. My mother's death was a central event in my life, and I'd been writing a lot about it over the years, both in songs and in journals. I think a part of me felt stuck in time, like I'd never quite been able to work through that loss... By midnight, the Hollywood was still packed, and Muriel asked me to join her onstage. We soon realized that there wasn't a song in the universe that both of us knew in common. A quick thinker, Muriel started feeding me lyrics to gospel songs so that I could catch up in time to sing somewhat in rhythm with her and make up my own version of the melody. Some songs I was vaguely familiar with, and some I didn't know at all. The very last song we sang together that night was 'Amazing Grace'. After we finished and people were applauding, Muriel leaned over and whispered in my ear: 'Child, you can let go now.' It was an incredibly maternal thing for her to say to me. Just like sitting in Reverend Al Green's church, I was again transformed. It was almost as if my mother was whispering in my ear. From the time I left Memphis and went back home to New York City, I knew I had a song in me about my experience there."
@dannydubs1227
Hey there you random person scrolling through the comments section. Have a great day ๐
@ThePlayaJohn
Have a great day to you good sir ๐
@stuartwhelan233
You to Dan from Carlisle England stay safe pal
@dannydubs1227
Stuart Whelan stay safe brother ๐๐ป Bristol, England
@dannydubs1227
HEH2005 and you bud ! Stay safe
@lynnmiller4460
You too, from Chattanooga
@craigwilliams516
This song mentions my paternal grandmother Mrs. Muriel Davis Wilkins who helped him through a rough time. I am so happy that he dedicated this song to her.
@willsweat5108
Thank's for sharing and somehow . . . I believe with all my heart that Mrs. Muriel has the voice of an angel and would make us all Christians even if only for one night!
@datgrrl5698
@Vanilla Nice "MA'AM I AM TONIGHT" IS THE LYRIC LINE - IT'S YOUR MIND THAT IS MAKING IT SUGGESTIVE...EEJIT GOBSHITE
@fourleaf8055
Really where? That is awesome this is one of my favorite songs ever