Walking In Memphis – Marc Cohn | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#13); 1991
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
It had been two decades since Astral Weeks jumpstarted Marc Cohn’s own musical journey. Then, in the summer of 1991, Marc’s hauntingly evocative song about a visit to Memphis, TN – home of W.C.
Handy and the blues, Beale Street, Elvis, and the Reverend Al Green – captured the heart of rock ‘n’ roll fans as Van Morrison’s mystical tunes had once caught Cohn’s.
Walking In Memphis was a masterpiece of memories as Marc recalled a side trip to the Hollywood Cafe in Robinsonville, MS one Friday night, when resident pianist Muriel call him up for an impromptu duet.
The success of Memphis and the self titled album earned Cohn a Grammy for Best New Artist. Muriel’s gone now, yet, she lives again every time Marc sings of walking ten feet off of Beale and up to Graceland where a ghostly Elvis still entertains in the Jungle Room.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Marc Cohn
- Ben Wisch
Lyrics Written by:
- Marc Cohn
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).