Never Left Memphis
Memphis Roots: A Musical Odyssey Across America
Lyrics
Tip jar out on a Bayou street
Setting the scene on a Bayou street with a tip jar out.
Blues man strumming that slide guitar
Describing a blues musician playing a slide guitar.
Motown drummer with a Detroit beat
Referring to a Motown drummer with a Detroit beat.
Making ends meet playing in a rock n roll bar
Portraying the struggle of making a living by playing in a rock n roll bar.
Uptown
Referencing different locations, both uptown and downtown, up north and down south.
Downtown
-Up North
-Down South
-Roots spread wide from that ground
Highlighting the wide influence of roots from the ground and the sound of the Mississippi river.
And that Mississippi river sound
-Never left Memphis
Expressing the enduring presence and influence of Memphis in various aspects, including the streets of Beale, BB King's legacy, and the spirit of Elvis in Graceland.
Its on the streets of Beale & BB’s hands up in heaven
-Never left Memphis
-Its out on mud island & in the moonlight there’s sun records
-Shining for the whole world
-Through every twist & every turn
-Its where everybody goes
-Cause everybody knows the Graceland ghost of Elvis
-Never left Memphis
-Never left Memphis
-From Gainesville west to Muscle Shoals
Mentioning different geographical locations, from Gainesville to Muscle Shoals, California to Texas, emphasizing the reach of Memphis's influence.
To the shores on the coast of California
-Midwest roads from Chicago
-Rode all the way down to Texas
-And never left Memphis
Reiterating the idea that Memphis never left, with references to specific places and landmarks, and the continued presence of Elvis's ghost in Graceland.
Its on the streets of Beale & BB’s hands up in heaven
-Never left Memphis
-Its out on mud island & in the moonlight there’s sun records
-Shining for the whole world
-Through every twist & every turn
-Its where everybody goes
-Cause everybody knows the Graceland ghost of Elvis
-Never left Memphis
-Never left Memphis
-Uptown
Repeating the contrast of locations, both uptown and downtown, up north and down south.
Downtown
-Up North
-Down South
-Roots spread wide from that ground
Echoing the importance of roots and the sound of the Mississippi river.
And that Mississippi river sound
-Never left Memphis
Reaffirming the never-ending connection of Memphis to various places and its iconic presence, especially emphasizing the Graceland ghost of Elvis.
Its on the streets of Beale & BB’s hands up in heaven
-Never left Memphis
-Its out on mud island & in the moonlight there’s sun records
-Shining for the whole world
-Through every twist & every turn
-Its where everybody goes
-Cause everybody knows the Graceland ghost of Elvis
-Never left Memphis
-Never left Memphis.
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