|
I have always been partial to Chuck Berry's 'Memphis' as recorded by Johnny Rivers.
The guitar has an very very slight growl and menace that added just enough of a blues/rock edge. The lyrics are Berry at his best, suggesting your typical lost-love song until the end when it becomes clear that he's singing about his daughter. The thing that pushes this song over the edge for me is the ultra-sweet 60s technique of overdubbing a 'party atmosphere' complete with people hootin' and a-hollerin' in the background and the sounds of highballs and ice cubes clanking about.
Long distance information, give me Memphis Tennessee
Help me find a party that tried to get in touch with me
She could not leave a number but I know who placed the call
'cause my uncle took a message and he wrote it on the wall
Help me, information, get in touch with my Marie
She's the only one who'd call me here from Memphis Tennessee
Her home is on the south side, high upon a ridge
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi bridge
Last time I saw Marie she was wavin' me goodbye
With "hurry-home" drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye
But we were pulled apart because her mom did not agree
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis Tennessee
Help me, information, more than that I cannot add
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had
Marie is only six years old, information please
Try to put me through to her in Memphis Tennessee
Aside form that personal fave, 'Come on Eileen' is an awesome fucking song that gets discredited too much because of the whole 80s kitsch.
|