"Memphis, You’ve Got Rhythm©"
Lyrics by M.S. McKenzie | Performed by American Storyteller Music & is Protected by Copyright
~ Associated State Links ~
State of TN Home Page | State of TN Gallery Page
"Memphis, You’ve Got Rhythm"
[Verse 1]
Down in the heart of Memphis, Beale Street’s neon is really fly
As
the great Mississippi River hums a tune as it flows on by
The trolley’s measure out a beat as they pass Orpheum’s marquee
And even the street traffic seems to play a part in its musical story
[Chorus]
Memphis, you’ve got rhythm deep down in your bones
From angelic gospel choirs to bluesmen’s rhythmic moans
Where B.B. King bent those strings and Stax lit the flame
Every heart in Memphis dances whenever they call your name
[Verse 2]
By Sun Studio, where echoes from the past never fade
Where Elvis cut his first chords, and a legend was made
Down by the River I listen to Otis Redding’s song
“Sitting on The Dock of The Bay” all day long
[Chorus]
Memphis, you’ve got rhythm deep down in your bones
From angelic gospel choirs to bluesmen’s rhythmic moans
Where B.B. King bent those strings and Stax lit the flame
Every heart in Memphis dances whenever they call your name
[Verse 3]
In the Lorraine’s shadow, where Dr. King spoke to the sky
And a bullet tried to silence, but his dream still won’t die
The city wears its history like a crown of sweat and tears
A melody of courage that’s been ringing throughout the years
[Bridge]
Oh, from the Delta breeze to a cozy night café
Every horn and harmony knows exactly what to say
The past, present and future in the same old tune
All under a Memphis sky and its southern moon
[Verse 4]
So beat on that upright bass ‘til the early morning light
Let the saxophone morn a story in the velvet of the night
Here, the music isn’t just a memory, it’s the air we breathe
It’s the heart and soul of Memphis, and it will never leave
[Chorus]
Memphis, you’ve got rhythm deep down in your bones
From angelic gospel choirs to bluesmen’s rhythmic moans
Where B.B. King bent those strings and Stax lit the flame
Every heart in Memphis dances whenever they call your name
[Outro: Instrumental – sax and muted trumpet trade soft phrases, guitar fades with a slow blues lick, piano lands on a warm, lingering chord, the river’s hush beneath it all]
Song Description
Music and Products Associated with The States of North Carolina & Tennessee
The Following album covers link to each song's specific page for this state. All lyrics have been written by Mark S. McKenzie/American Storyteller Music and The Lyrical Horizon and produced by Story Teller Books and Music or Loud Mouth Books and Music, Copyright 2025, All Rights Reserved:
