Memphis, Tennessee (song)

"Memphis, Tennessee", sometimes shortened to "Memphis", is a song by Chuck Berry, first released in 1959. In the UK, the song charted at #6 in 1963; at the same time Decca Records issued a cover version in the UK by Dave Berry and the Cruisers, which also became a UK Top 20 hit single. Johnny Rivers' version of the song was a number two US hit in 1964.

Not to be confused with Walking in Memphis.
"Memphis, Tennessee"
Single by Chuck Berry
A-side"Back in the U.S.A."
ReleasedJune 1959 (U.S.)
GenreRhythm and blues, rock and roll
Length2:12
LabelChess 1729
Songwriter(s)Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry singles chronology
"Almost Grown"
(1959)		 "Memphis, Tennessee"
(1959)		 "Broken Arrow"
(1959)

In the song the narrator is speaking to a long-distance operator, trying to find out the number of a girl named Marie, who lives in Memphis, Tennessee, "on the southside, high upon a ridge, just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge." The narrator offers little information to the operator at first, only that he misses Marie and that they were separated by Marie's mother. The final verse reveals that Marie is, in fact, the narrator's six-year-old daughter; her mother, presumably the narrator's ex-wife, "tore apart our happy home" because she "did not agree", as it turned out, with their marriage, not his relationship with Marie, as the listener was misdirected to assume.

Chuck Berry later composed a sequel, "Little Marie", which appeared in 1964 as a single and on the album St. Louis to Liverpool.

Recording

The song was "probably recorded in St. Louis with overdubs in Chicago, September 28, 1958."

The song was released as Chess single 1729.[1]

Beatles versions

The Beatles recorded five versions of "Memphis, Tennessee" for BBC Radio. One version that was recorded on 30 July 1963 for the Pop Go The Beatles radio show was included on Live at the BBC in 1994. Another version that was recorded a few months later on 5 October 1963 for the Saturday Club radio show was included on On Air – Live at the BBC Volume 2 in 2013.

The group first performed it for their failed Decca audition on January 1, 1962, with Pete Best on drums.[2]

Personnel

Lonnie Mack, Johnny Rivers, and Fred Knoblock versions
"Memphis"
Single by Lonnie Mack
from the album The Wham of that Memphis Man!
B-side"Down in the Dumps"
ReleasedSeptember 1963 (1963)
RecordedJune 1963
GenreInstrumental rock, blues rock
Length2:30
LabelFraternity
Songwriter(s)Chuck Berry

In 1963, guitarist Lonnie Mack recorded a fast-paced instrumental version, which he called "Memphis". It went to #5 on Billboard's Pop chart and #4 on Billboard's R&B chart.[3]

"Memphis"
Single by Johnny Rivers
from the album At the Whisky à Go Go
B-side"It Wouldn't Happen with Me"
ReleasedMay 1964 (1964)
Recorded1964
GenreRock and roll, rhythm and blues
Length2:28
LabelImperial
Songwriter(s)Chuck Berry

In 1964 singer Johnny Rivers recorded another version of the tune (which he, following Mack, called "Memphis"), copying Mack's pacing and some of his instrumental improvisations, and reinstating the vocal line from Berry's original.[4] This version hit #2 on Billboard's Pop chart (behind "I Get Around" by the Beach Boys).

"Memphis"
Single by Fred Knoblock
Released1981 (1981)
RecordedSeptember 1981
GenreCountry music
Length2:35
LabelScotti Brothers ZS5 02434
Songwriter(s)Chuck Berry
Producer(s)James Stroud

In 1981, country singer-songwriter Fred Knoblock recorded his rendition of "Memphis". It went to #10 on Billboard's Country chart and #28 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart.

Chart history

Weekly charts
Chuck Berry
Chart (1963) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 3
UK[6] 6
Dave Berry & the Cruisers
Chart (1963) Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 9
UK[7] 19
Lonnie Mack

Other covers

The song has been covered over 40 times by artists including Hasil Adkins, The Animals, Paul Anka, Count Basie, George Benson, John Cale, Riblja Čorba, Don Covay, the Dave Clark Five, Bo Diddley, Faces, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders, Fotheringay, Danny Gatton, Al Green, the Hollies, Jan and Dean, Tom Jones, Sammy Kershaw, Jim Kweskin & the Jug Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, Led Zeppelin, Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions,[22] Eleanor McEvoy, Mrs. Miller, Roy Orbison, Buck Owens, the Rolling Stones, Del Shannon, Silicon Teens, The Statler Brothers, Izzy Stradlin, Rod Stewart, Gene Summers, George Thorogood, Ernest Tubb, Conway Twitty, the Ventures, the Who, Hank Williams Jr., Faron Young, Elvis Presley, and Bernd Spier.[23]

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References
  1. Berry, Chuck, Chuck Berry: The Anthology, CD, 088 1120304-2, MCA Records, Chess, 2000, liner notes
  2. "Memphis, Tennessee | The Beatles Bible". www.beatlesbible.com. Retrieved 2016-08-28.
  3. 25 Rockin' Instrumentals, Varese Vintage CD, 2003
  4. Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 21 – Forty Miles of Bad Road: Some of the best from rock 'n' roll's dark ages. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  5. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Memphis". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  6. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1963-10-16. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  7. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 1963-10-16.
  8. Flavour of New Zealand, 15 August 1963
  9. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  10. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 20, 1963
  11. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1964-07-06. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  12. Flavour of New Zealand, 20 August 1964
  13. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  14. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, July 11, 1964
  15. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1981-12-05. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  16. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  17. Musicoutfitters.com
  18. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1963". Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  19. The 100 Best-Selling Singles of 1963
  20. Musicoutfitters.com
  21. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 26, 1964". Archived from the original on June 1, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  22. Grateful Dead Family Discography: Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions
  23. "Bernd Spier - hitparade.ch". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
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