Walking in Memphis
There are some songs that you sing along to and know all the words but have absolutely no idea what any of the words mean. The below song is one such example. The song bothers me very much for this reason. What does it mean to be walking in Memphis? Someone please help me answer this question.
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 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
Then I'm walking in Memphis 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
(Chorus)
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 And she said -- "Tell me are you a Christian child?" And I said "Ma'am I am tonight"
(Chorus)
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
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 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
Then I'm walking in Memphis 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
(Chorus)
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 And she said -- "Tell me are you a Christian child?" And I said "Ma'am I am tonight"
(Chorus)
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
posted by chen at 2:44 PM
13 Comments:
Maybe it's just a song about walking in Memphis? Like more literal than most songs. About a time he was there maybe? I'm pretty sure there really is a Beale street. And are they known for eating catfish?
It could be an easy conclusion to make, but why would anyone sing a song about their travels to Memphis unless it meant something? Which leads to an even more disturbing question, why is he wearing blue suede shows and why is it raining on his suede shoes?
Graceland (Elvis' home) was in Memphis - and he is known for blue suade shoes. I think this dude is just throwing as many Memphis references into a song as possible.
(But who is this "WC Handy" fellow?)
Here's what I found:
"In 1909, Handy and his band moved to Memphis, Tennessee where they established their headquarters on the famous Beale Street."
http://www2.una.edu/library/handy/biography.htm
I find the results of my query for this song's meaning to be very disappointing.
What is wrong with our world? How can a song about Memphis, TN be so popular? The song is a total advertisement for the city-only it's not a good, understandable ad.
They should make a song about Minneapolis. We have Prince. And the MOA. And Bock E. That would be a way better song.
Colleen said that that song with "won't you take me to... funky town" is about Minneapolis. So in a way we have a song already. But it's even harder to understand than the Memphis one. Oh well. Chen you should write a song about Minneapolis. Then if people don't like it you can just justify that in your head by the fact that they are just peasants anyway, and too small and pathetic to understand the depth and brilliance of your music.
"Then if people don't like it you can just justify that in your head by the fact that they are just peasants anyway, and too small and pathetic to understand"
You can also use that if you want to be a ruthless, iron-fisted dictator somewhere.
The song has a spiritual meaning and tells of Christ (ghost of Elvis)and if you listen carfully to the song the lyris- one union avenue?? the actual promunciation is....one union never knew. That means he is not talking about Elvis but he is talking about 'THE KING'. Union was the street in memphis where they produced Elvis' records. Listen to the song again and as a Christian there are alot of phrases that you would be able to identify with. Catfish-- I will make you fishers of men...etc.
The song describes the trials of tribulations of entering the music industry, through following in the steps of Elvis and other singers that working in Memphis......
oh, and Tom ....as far as 'Catfish' goes - that's a pretty common blues metaphor for sex, or vagina.. not the fishing of men.
Its about a musician's trek to the holy land of blues. No different than a Catholic writing a song about their first trip to Vatican City. Everyone gives writers too much credit. They're more literal than we give them credit for. Oh and the catfish analogy....priceless. It couldn't possibly be because its a popular food in the south huh???? Then what's Gospel in the air mean???? The scent of burned latex and k.y.jelly???
You're an idiot...
Right on!!! Finally someone said it!
Post a Comment
<< Home