Walking In Memphis

About Walking In Memphis

"Walking in Memphis" is the signature song of American singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, from his self-titled 1991 album Marc Cohn. The song became Cohn's biggest hit, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and, after being re-released in fall 1991, reached #22 on the UK chart. The popularity of this song helped Cohn win the Grammy for Best New Artist in 1991.

The story behind this song: the singer, Cohn, was a young aspiring singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. He'd never been to Memphis before; in fact he'd never traveled at all. Upon reaching the South he was very moved emotionally after seeing an Al Green sermon, and underwent both spiritual transformation and professional growth. Al Green is referenced in the lyrics as "Reverend Green." It was there in Memphis he met his first wife Cindy, about whom he wrote the acoustic cult classic "Cindy Sue, I Love You". The evocative song contains references to Elvis Presley and W. C. Handy.

Many people believe "Walking in Memphis" to be by Bruce Springsteen, and many websites and fan sites credit the song to him. Bruce Springsteen has never even covered "Walking in Memphis"; his association with the song is an urban myth proliferated by internet downloads.