16.5.13

The Importance Of The Memphis Song List

By Jennie Sandoval


The Memphis song list was compiled by the Smithsonian Institute. It is comprised of 899 songs that mention the city in either they lyrics or the title. This has the distinction of being the most mentioned city in the United States. Some of the songs are familiar to just about everyone, whilst others are more obscure and have a small but loyal following.

As the home of the legendary Elvis Presley the city attracts many thousands of visitors each year. They usually like to make the King's home of Graceland the first stop on their tour. This gives them a chance to see where the greatest name in music lived and worked. Many people report feeling an amazing connection to Elvis as they wander through the rooms of his home and even outside in the grounds.

Maybe it has something to do with the climate in the area. The summers are so hot and humid that many people simply have to stop and rest in the afternoons. The overwhelming heat often forces people to have a new perspective on life. They can sit back in the oppressive summer heat and think about the meaning of life, music and everything in between.

One of the most played songs about the city is Marc Cohen's Walking in Memphis. This track has such a great tune and lyrics it has been a popular favorite since it was released. The tribute to Elvis and and his home town are deep and genuine. Cohen managed to put his feelings into a song that really struck a chord with listeners around the world.

The legendary Chuck Berry was one of the first people to write a song about the city. His tune continues to be popular and has provided inspiration to many later musicians. One of these is Marc Cohen and his well known melody Walking in Memphis. This song is still heard frequently on radios around the country and is one of the most recognizable songs on the list.

Chuck Berry was one of the first people to use the city as the focus of a song. This started a trend that has continued to this day. Most musicians like to write about more popular topics, such as love, relationships and people. Berry was one of the first to put the city on the musical map.

One of the most prolific writers of songs about the city is Cory Branan. This popular singer and songwriter really knows what he is talking about. He spend years making a living as a singer on the streets. His songs are both funny and insightful and draw on many of his personal experiences as a musician playing to the many visitors.

The Memphis song list is important because it draws attention to the musical talent of the city. People continue to be drawn to this beautiful and nostalgic place in the hopes of finding their own voice amidst the soulful streets and calming river banks.




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