Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 13 Oct 21 - 07:26 AM

This was a favourite one of Bob Davenport's eclectic selection of'folk' songs. As support to Bob with the Marsden Rattlers, we did a BBC folk show in London called 'Country nmeets Folk' in the early 70s when Bob wanted to include it.

   The producer said no because he said the song isn't country or folk-

we argued but had to accept that at the time, but the way we did it with melodeon & banjo made it folk in my book!

So we didn't fit into the BBC's pigeonholes & I think it'd be the same 50 years on.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)
From: cnd
Date: 11 Oct 21 - 08:39 PM

I checked against the 1959 release single version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5ezeUM6c74

Minor differences:

She's the only one who phoned me here from Memphis, Tennessee.

But we were pulled apart because her mom did not agree

On a different note, I've hardly enjoyed Chuck Berry's version since I heard the Jim & Jesse version, from Berry Pickin In the Country, their ground-breaking album full of cross-genre hits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XknO8g6MNC0

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Oct 21 - 08:08 PM

Lyrics need checking/source verification.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 04:15 PM

The lyrics posted above also are printed at the "Official Site of Chuck Berry."
http://www.chuckberry.com/music/lyrics/memphis.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Memphis (Chuck Berry)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 04 Nov 09 - 04:09 PM

The New York Times, Editorial Notebook, had this to say about this classic song by Chuck Berry (extracts):

If I had to name the best short story in the form of a song lyric, I suspect the winner would be Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee," first released as a B-side in 1959. Lately it has been haunting me- the metrical precision of the lyrics, its emotional realism and, of course, the revelation in the penultimate line. You know the one: that this is a father's mournful love song to his daughter, Marie, who is only 6 years old.
What I really find myself listening to is Chuck Berry the sociologist of incredible economy. It's the open-ended plea to that disembodied personage, "Long-distance information." It's the household where uncles write messages on the wall. It's the geographical precision of Marie's home, "high up on a ridge, just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge." Undercutting it all is the very hopelessness of the singer's plea."

"Memphis," by Verlyn Klinkenborg; NY Times, November 1, 2009.

These lyrics need to be in the DT.

Last time I saw Marie she's waving me good-bye
With hurry home drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye ....

Subject: RE: Memphis Tennessee
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 May 99 - 11:25 PM

It was Big Bill who said "ain't never heard a horse sing it", but that was before "Mr. Ed".

Subject: RE: Memphis Tennessee
From: Colonel KC
Date: 23 May 99 - 02:58 PM

Thank you Roger. Yes I know what Folk Music is (was it Woody or Pete who said "I aint never heard it soung by pigs or chickens...") Unfortunately, all the commercial lyric sites seem to be having hassles with the performing rights organizations. it looks like some of them are negotiating with Harry Fox Agency and it should be easy enought to keep track of hits and requests so that songwriters get a piece of the pie. I'm not looking to rip off anyone, but sometimes I need a few words to get it right and the internet seems like the best way to get it. Maybe someday I'll have the info you need. So thanks again.

Subject: Lyr Add: MEMPHIS (Chuck Berry)
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 22 May 99 - 11:51 AM

Colonel KC,

Of course you noted that this is a site for blues and folk music. Chuck Berry is just barely on the edge. Anyway, a good place to search for "pop" music is the On-Line Guitar Archive (OLGA). Click here.

But we are also friendly, so I'll post those words as well. Give them a fish and feed them today, teach them to fish and feed them for a lifetime. So you have the fish and the fishing line. MEMPHIS
by Chuck Berry


MEMPHIS
(Chuck Berry)

Long-distance information, get me Memphis, Tennessee,
Help me find the party who tried to get in touch with me.
She could not leave her number, but I know who placed the call,
'Cause my uncle took a message and he wrote it on the wall.

Help me, information, get in touch with my Marie.
She's the only one who called me here from Memphis, Tennessee.
Her home is on the south side, high upon the ridge,
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge.

Help me, information, more than that I cannot add,
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had.
But we were pulled apart because her mom would not agree,
Tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee.

Last time I saw Marie, she was wavin' me goodbye,
With hurry-home drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes.
Marie is only 6 years old; information please,
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.

Enjoy the music!

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: Memphis Tennessee
From: Colonel KC
Date: 22 May 99 - 07:27 AM

I'm looking for the lyric to Memphis Tennessee, by Chuck Berry (also recrded by Johnny Rivers, Lonnie Mack, Jim Kweskin Jug Band, and countless others). Its been a lot harder to find than i would expect. Anybody?