Memphis Pearl
Memphis Pearl: A Tale of Dreams Lost and Streets Walked
Lyrics
Back in Memphis she was a pearl
Refers to the woman being highly regarded, precious, or special in Memphis.
She was everyone's favorite girl
She was popular and well-liked by everyone.
Now her eyes have a vacant stare
Her eyes now reflect emptiness or a lack of vitality.
What she wouldn't give to be livin' back there
Expresses her yearning to return to the past, suggesting dissatisfaction with her current life.
She married a man when she left home
She married someone after leaving her hometown.
She wanted someone she could call her own
Desire for a sense of belonging and ownership in a relationship.
He was good to her when he wasn't drunk
Her husband treated her well when sober, indicating the impact of alcohol on their relationship.
He'd hold her and tell her how pretty she looked
Highlights moments of affection and compliments in their relationship.
Back in Memphis where she grew up
Nostalgia for her upbringing in Memphis.
The life she knew was just not enough
Feeling unfulfilled with the current state of her life.
Back in Memphis when she was a girl
Memories of her ambitions and dreams when she was a girl in Memphis.
She thought one day she'd own the world
Aspired to achieve success and influence in the world.
She'd look at the TV and magazines
Influence of media shaping her perception of a glamorous life.
And she'd believe all the pictures she'd seen
Believed in the images portrayed by TV and magazines.
She'd be wearin' silk and perfume so sweet
Desire for luxury represented by silk and sweet perfume.
But those things don't mean much out here on the street
Realization that material things don't hold the same value in her current situation.
Back in Memphis she had fun
Recalls the enjoyable moments she had in Memphis.
Goin' around, tellin' everyone
Shared her dreams and plans with others.
She was gonna buy dresses that zip up the side
Desire for a more refined lifestyle, expressed through clothing and appearance.
And wear red lipstick, have a nice car to drive
Specific details of her envisioned improved life.
She bounces her baby on her knee
Reflects maternal care and hope for a better future for her child.
Sayin' maybe today we'll get lucky, you'll see
Optimism about a positive change in their circumstances.
I promise it won't always be like this
Assurance that their difficult situation is temporary.
Come here, sugar, give Mamma a kiss
A moment of affection with her child.
Back in Memphis another time
Reflects on a past time in Memphis with uncertainty about the future.
Didn't look like things would turn out fine
Suggests challenges and difficulties during that period in Memphis.
Back in Memphis when she was a girl
Reiteration of her childhood dreams in Memphis.
She thought one day she'd own the world
Reiterates her ambitious dreams from her youth.
Back in Memphis she was a pearl
Reaffirms her precious and esteemed status in Memphis.
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