Sandy Bull's approach to performance, composition and recording is notable for his extensive use of overdubbing and multi-track tape recording before such techniques became commonplace in music production. However, unlike the sophisticated, glossy aesthetic commonly associated with these techniques, Bull simply used overdubbing as a way to accompany himself and plays all the instruments on many of his recordings. As documented in the "Still Valentine's Day 1969" concert recording, Sandy Bull's use of tape accompinament was part of his live, solo performances as well.
Bull also played the oud on Sam Phillips 1991 album, Cruel Inventions. Bull primary played a fingerpicking style of guitar and banjo, and his style has been compared to that of John Fahey and Robbie Basho, of the early Takoma label in the 1960's.
He was the only child of Harry A. Bull, an editor in chief of Town and Country magazine, and Daphne van Beuren Bayne (1916-2002), a New Jersey banking heiress who became known as a jazz harpist under the name Daphne Hellman. His parents were divorced in 1941, shortly after his birth.
By his mother's second marriage to the New Yorker writer Geoffrey Hellman, Bull had one half-sister, the sitar player Daisy Paradis, and a half-brother, Digger St. John.
In the 1970s, Sandy Bull became involved with drugs. He died of lung cancer on April 11, 2001.
Memphis Tennessee
Sandy Bull Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give me Memphis Tennessee
Help me find the party
Trying to get in touch with me
She could not leave her number
But I know what place to call
Because my Uncle took the message
And he wrote it on the wall
Get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd phone me here
From Memphis Tennessee
Her house is on the south side
High upon the ridge
Just about a half a mile
From the Mississippi bridge
Last time I saw Marie
She was waving me goodbye
With hurry home drops on her cheeks
That trickled from her eye
Marie is only six years old
Information please
Try to put me through to her
In Memphis Tennessee
The song Memphis Tennessee by Sandy Bull is a beautiful and emotional narrative about a man trying to get in touch with his loved one, Marie, in Memphis. The lyrics are captivating and evoke a range of emotions. The song starts with the singer requesting long-distance information to connect him with Memphis Tennessee, where his Marie resides. The singer is desperate to contact her and proceeds to explain that she could not leave her number. However, he knows where to call since his Uncle took the message and wrote it on the wall. The singer then pleads with the operator to get him in touch with his Marie, who is the only person that would call him from Memphis Tennessee.
The song then proceeds to describe Marie's house, which is located on the south side of the ridge, about half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge. The singer reminisces about the last time he saw Marie waving goodbye, and the tears rolling down her cheeks. The song ends with a request to try to put him through to her in Memphis Tennessee. Overall, the song is moving and poignant, and the singer's longing for Marie is palpable.
Line by Line Meaning
Long distance information
Requesting operator assistance for long distance phone call.
Give me Memphis Tennessee
Specifically requesting connection to the phone number in the city of Memphis, Tennessee.
Help me find the party
Requesting information on the location of a social gathering, event or celebration.
Trying to get in touch with me
Asking operator to facilitate communication and facilitate contact between parties.
She could not leave her number
The person they are trying to call didn't/couldn't leave a callback number for the caller to get in touch with them later.
But I know what place to call
The caller has a specific place/business/address in Memphis to ask connection to.
Because my Uncle took the message
The caller received a message from a third party (in this case, their uncle) that they need to respond to.
And he wrote it on the wall
The message was left by the uncle in a permanent or semi-permanent manner such as on a notice board or a wall.
Help me information
Asking the operator for assistance and support in finding the person they are trying to call.
Get in touch with my Marie
The person (Marie) they are trying to contact is a known friend or relative.
She's the only one who'd phone me here
The caller only has a means of receiving communication from Marie, and could not receive phone calls from anyone else in Memphis.
Her house is on the south side
The location where Marie can be found is situated towards the southern part of Memphis.
High upon the ridge
Marie's residence is located on a high elevation, towards the top of a hill or mountain.
Just about a half a mile
Marie's home is a short distance, 0.5 miles, from a landmark/tourist known attraction, the Mississippi Bridge.
From the Mississippi bridge
Marie's house is located within close proximity to the bridge across the Mississippi River.
Last time I saw Marie
The last time the caller had met or interacted with Marie was a previous occasion.
She was waving me goodbye
Marie was bidding farewell with a wave on the previous occasion of parting.
With hurry home drops on her cheeks
Marie had tears streaming down her eyes, prompting the urgency for the caller to return home ASAP.
That trickled from her eye
The tears of sadness flowed slowly down her face.
Marie is only six years old
Marie is a young child, just 6 years of age, and is therefore vulnerable or dependent on adult care.
Information please
Asking for operator assistance yet again to get information or new details that will possibly help them get in touch with, or locate, Marie.
Try to put me through to her
Asking the operator to connect them directly to Marie, bypassing any intermediaries or answering machines.
In Memphis Tennessee
Reiterating the specific city to which they are seeking to make the phone call to, where Marie can be located.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@AnthonyMonaghan
Oh man when that guitar slides in at 0.13. Like a shot in the arm. This is simply divine. Somewhere between Skip Spence and Lee Underwood. Hear those springs twanging on the old spring reverb! The recording is so warm. My new favourite thing ever.
@gregordrmn3839
word
@ayahuascaeyes1203
you shoot up bro? DM me if you wanna level up
@cnewall9605
An absolute favourite- just gets better each time I played it ....over last twenty years !
@ibrake4oxtail
This is what happiness sounds like
@lifemusic1980
Yes
@jeffhammers5677
Saw him live at Betty Nelson's farm, the 1968 Sky River Rock
@Revelator43
Heard Sandy Bull's "Memphis" at a beach cafe--Ripper's--in Rockaway--and heard his genius. Hearing it again remains sublime. Sometimes it takes a lifetime of listening to get it. I've got it good out in Oregon, but the drought makes day night.
@michaelcorrigan5580
Got the Album in 1967 - still play it. Didn't know how he died until now. Rest in Bliss, Sandy....
@misspeabody7097
Fantasias for Guitar and Banjo was the first Sandy Bull album I ever bought in the 60's. I still have it. Mesmerizing.