This song mentions my paternal grandmother Mrs. Muriel Davis Wilkins who helped him through a rough time. I am so happy that he dedicated this song to her.

Even if Marc Cohn never writes another great song it’s ok. He did his part and this song does it all.

“tell me are you a Christian child and I said….maam I am tonight” ! I never tire of that line

When he sings, “Ma’am I am tonight!” Oh my heart! Chills!

This song is one of my dad’s favorites of all time. We used to listen to it as we drove down to Arkansas as a family in the summers when I was young… he’d put it on when we drove across the border to Tennessee through Memphis and his 3 girls, me and my two sisters, would sing this at the top of our lungs!!! And Daddy used to just laugh and laughed and loved it all! With my mommy sitting in the seat next to him up front singing along as well. My daddy passed away three weeks ago to the day today after battling cancer. This song gives me chills and brings a few tears to my eyes, as it makes me feel like my dad is sitting right beside as I listen to this and sing along. Love you, Daddy, always. 💙💙💙💙💙✝️

This is honestly one of the greatest songs ever written.

This is one of the most perfect songs ever recorded. The piano, the voice, the timing, the lyrics all come together to create this few minutes of heaven. Thank you for writing and recording this. It moves me every time I hear it.

who is still listening in 2024????

Cohn has said that "Walking in Memphis" is "100 percent autobiographical". He has described it as a song about "a Jewish gospel-music-lover", and added that "the song is about more than just a place; it's about a kind of spiritual awakening, one of those trips where you're different when you leave. He was inspired to write "Walking in Memphis" by a 1985 visit to the Memphis, Tennessee area. At the time, he was working as a session singer in New York City while pursuing a recording contract. In 2014, he recalled: One night while listening to all of my demos, I came to the realization that I shouldn't be signed, because I didn't have any great songs yet... I was 28 years old and not in love with my songs. James Taylor had written 'Fire and Rain' when he was 18, and Jackson Browne wrote 'These Days' when he was only 17. I thought: 'I'm already ten years older than these geniuses. It's never going to happen for me.' So it was a pretty desperate time, and I went to Memphis with that struggle at the forefront of my mind. Cohn made his first excursion to Memphis after reading an interview with James Taylor in which Taylor stated he overcame writer's block by going to a place he had never been. Emulating Taylor, Cohn chose Memphis as his destination. Cohn states that a friend told him that "there were two things in particular that I had to do [in Memphis], things that would forever change me. They later became the centerpieces of 'Walking in Memphis'." Cohn added: The first thing was go to the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church on a Sunday morning to hear the Reverend Al Green preach ... I [soon] had chills running up and down my spine. The service was so deeply moving that I found myself with sweat running down my face and tears in my eyes, totally enveloped by everything I was seeing and hearing. There was something incredibly powerful about Al Green's voice in that context. Even after three hours of continuous singing, his voice only got stronger and his band only got better. I sat there crying in the church, aware of the irony of how I used to cry in Synagogue in Cleveland as a kid - but because I wanted to get the heck out of there! Al Green's service was one of the great experiences of my life." The second piece of advice was that Cohn visit the Hollywood Café in Robinsonville, Mississippi (35 miles south of Memphis) to see Muriel Davis Wilkins, a retired schoolteacher who performed at the cafe on Friday nights. Cohn remembered: When I arrived, Muriel, who ... was in her 60s, was onstage playing a beat-up old upright piano and singing gospel standards ... I felt an immediate connection to her voice, her spirit, her face, and her smile. I was totally transfixed by her music. While many of the patrons were busy eating and not paying close attention to Muriel, I couldn't take my eyes off her. During her breaks, the two of us would talk. Muriel asked me why I was there, and I told her I was a songwriter trying to find inspiration. I also told her a little bit about my childhood - how when I was two and a half years old, my mom had passed away very unexpectedly, and about ten years later, my dad had passed away and I'd been raised by a stepmother. My mother's death was a central event in my life, and I'd been writing a lot about it over the years, both in songs and in journals. I think a part of me felt stuck in time, like I'd never quite been able to work through that loss... By midnight, the Hollywood was still packed, and Muriel asked me to join her onstage. We soon realized that there wasn't a song in the universe that both of us knew in common. A quick thinker, Muriel started feeding me lyrics to gospel songs so that I could catch up in time to sing somewhat in rhythm with her and make up my own version of the melody. Some songs I was vaguely familiar with, and some I didn't know at all. The very last song we sang together that night was 'Amazing Grace'. After we finished and people were applauding, Muriel leaned over and whispered in my ear: 'Child, you can let go now.' It was an incredibly maternal thing for her to say to me. Just like sitting in Reverend Al Green's church, I was again transformed. It was almost as if my mother was whispering in my ear. From the time I left Memphis and went back home to New York City, I knew I had a song in me about my experience there."

I love this song it makes me feel so proud to be a Memphian. We have been struggling recently with crime. Please say a prayer for my hometown.

February 2024 listening to one of the greatest hits of all time.

Occasionally the stars align, and a song appears with all of the right ingredients. Right voice, right composition, right musicians. This song is and will always be on my top 10 playlist..

If you are listening to this in 2021, you are a living legend.

"Boy you got a prayer in Memphis" brings me to tears every time. Don't even know why. It's just so optimistic. It just changes the value of the song. I hope others feel the same optimism.

I grew up listening to 80's metal. I'm not sure how I came about listening to this song, but man this song is perfect from start to finish. I can listen to it over and over again.

One hit wonder or not... this song is incredible. I had forgotten how perfect it was .

This was my dad’s favorite song. He helped create this when he was working with Cohn at the William Morris Agency. Today is his birthday, but sadly he passed away 10 years ago when I was 12. I give this a listen throughout the year to just remember the man he was. Thank you Mr. Cohn.

I am a 78 year old Australian and I think that song is one of the best ever recorded, brings back great memories of our time in that wonderful city!

Love to see Elvis' legacy being carried through other amazing artists that use him as inspiration...long live the King & this song, a jem!

Anyone else here in July 2024❤?

I said "Ma'am I am tonight!" I love that line. It's how I Felt the opposite way when my Jewish friends first invited me to their holidays. I didn't meet these guys until my late 20s and the people and traditions were just beautiful. Ain't about converting. It's about appreciating being able to celebrate and being accepted by others that are different than you in whatever way. It's a beautiful thing. And i'm a pretty cynical guy so it must be :)

Are you a Christian child? Ma'am I am tonight.. That line is so beautiful and deep.

June 2024 anyone ?

Lived in Memphis 3 years in the 90s. Couldn't go 2 hours without hearing this on the radio. Good times!

I love reading comments on here that other people have written. It makes me feel like I'm sat talking to friends from all over the world that I've never met. people from all over the world sharing one common love for music

I was 17 in 1991 and I immediately felt a deep connection to this song.I'm 47 now and the connection is still there.

One of the greatest story teller songs of all time. The raspiness of his voice adds to the overall feel of this brilliant song. Makes you feel the musical history of Memphis

Evokes the feeling of walking in Memphis with the ghost of Elvis so that those of us far away can feel the way we feel is real

What's Wilder's excuse going to be this TIME?? THE GYPSY KING BABY!!!

This one never ever gets old ....every single line in this song has a great meaning to anyone whom listens to it. The words, a spiritual thought, a person in your life...it catches you. One of the best songs ever written Musically & lyrical. Thank you Marc!

Amazing how a song can invoke such memories and feeling. Memphis was a hub for Northwest airlines, as a pilot for their commuter i spent 5 years flying in and out of Memphis and all the small cities across the Delta. Would fly into Greenville ,Mississippi and call our orders ahead to the catfish lady. A black woman who had a little restaurant in the airport. Been to Graceland, Sun Studios, Beale Street, seen the WC Handy statute.,BB Kings. The history and feeling was amazing. This song captures it all..

Marc Cohn thank you.

“Boy you got a prayer in Memphis….”that line alone solidifies the soul embedded in this song. It can NEVER be replicated!

Watching this after the SNL parody; They did it justice. Great song and Mark Cohn being in the SNL parody was the icing on the cake.

Bought this CD when I was 20. Love all his songs. None of my friends knew this singer songwriter but 35 years he Brings me so much joy and a smile! Thank met Cohn

I am a Black Female musician of over 50 years. Started when I was 10 years old. We had to learn how to read and write music back in the days of becoming a musician. Today it's different. You can take someone else's music and use it for your own creation. BUT I pulled the music to this composition and found that after all the years of music that I have under the belt that THIS song made me reconstruct how I count from one to four. lol This is hands DOWN quality music. For any musicians reading this, this song does not start saying "one" as the first beat. The first beat is on "2" as the first beat. Yes Marc Cohn flipped the normal count of 1,2,3,4, to and 1, and 2, and 3, and 4. Great Composition.

I am an African American, fell in love with this song so many years ago: I have walked in Memphis, many times. My sister is still there. This song always touches my heart and soul!. I brought the original album when it first came out. It always uplifts me. I knew he was singing about Elvis and the Reverend Al Green when I first heard it; Thank you for this song . Lee Linc Stallings, Published Poet, East Saint Louis, IL.

I'm a native of Memphis - born and raised. Left when I went in the Army and was gone for many years at the time this song came out. Naturally for that time, I'd been playing and singing on the side since 1962. I heard this song the first time when I was living in Europe.... it made me so homesick I moved back home within a month!

Absolutely love this song 🎵 It's one of those magically well written songs that transports your mind to what he is singing about. You actually feel like you are there, walking, experiencing everything that is in the song. Well done Marc Cohn, you did a magnificent job. 😊

One of my oldest friends passed the day after my last sibling’s memorial. Her daughter attached this, her favorite song. I played it through the whole house, thanks to my niece’s husband pulling out his JBL play box. I am grateful for this song, and for the young man who knew it was important for me to hear!

This is one of the best songs ever written and recorded. Truly amazing.

Fury's got excellent taste in music!

This song deserves a billion views. It's perfection from beginning to end. So soulful, nostalgic,beautiful, and haunting - worth repeat listens. What a beautiful tribute to Memphis. It's timeless.❤

One of the most beautiful songs Music that speaks to the soul Cheers

I don't know why, but this song always brings a tear to my eye. It's just beautiful!

This was my grandmothers favorite song. It’s taken a long time for me to be able to listen to it without just breaking down into tears, as the memories of sitting on her couch listening to her stories of growing up in Memphis while this song and others played in the background came flooding back. She will have been gone for a little over 10 years this coming October, and I still miss her and those stories as dearly as the day she left. But now, every time I listen to this song, I can’t help but smile and feel like she’s right there next to me listening too. I miss you Grandma and I’ll see you again someday :)

“Tell me are you a Christian Child” and I said “Mam I am tonight”(and forever more Jesus and God helped me overcome so many health problems that would’ve and HAVE killed others)

four years ago, I was walking through Memphis. The song really captures the emotion I had. There is a very spiritual vibe there. I felt I was on a pilgrimage trip to the south. Elvis was my first idol. Totally relate to the song

Very underrated song and singer what a awesome voice xxx

This rendition of this song (forget the others) never ceases to inspire and move. It's one of a handful of songs that I never tire of listening to and so I play it often - very often.

Elvis, MLK, the Mississippi, I can’t help but be overwhelmed when I visit Memphis. It’s truly the crossroads.

When I was in service I spent a good bit of time in Memphis and this song brings back lots of memories. I think is the best song ever written. The complexity, music and message are just perfect. I never tire of listening to perfection.

This song gets right into your soul

The power of music makes you miss a place you don't even know yet....

2024 anyone?

Five of the best days I’ve spent in the USA in Memphis from Australia.

That "ma'am I am tonight" hits every time.

“She said, tell me are you a Christian child?and I said...MAM I AM TONIGHT!!” Chills every time I hear that line. Was 13yo when this song came out. I’m not Christian, but I love the message that we can all break from our norm and respect other religions and cultures and music is the glue to put all that beauty together 🖤

What a classic! Love the dynamics of this song - so soulful and beautiful! Well done Marc Cohn!!

Every time I hear this song I sing with all my Might!!!!😊

As a Black American woman, what I love about Marc’s voice is that he sounds soulful without sounding like he’s desperately imitating Black soul singers. It’s his own brand.

I just saw him in concert last night. Smaller venue, 7th row. It filled my soul. Couldn’t stop swaying and had a stupid smile on my face ear to ear from beginning to end. I found myself crying through 3 songs out of nowhere. Just so soulful and beautiful. No one had phones out, just enjoying the beautiful experience. He’s amazing!

Today was the first time I really listened to this song. It’s truly beautiful. I think the King would be proud. 👍 Walking In Memphis ☔️

Having just returned home from visiting Graceland, I can now truly feel every word of this song, 32 years after I first heard it.

I could have sworn this song was before 1991. Darn, I'm getting old. Love this!

“Has it ever struck you that life is all memory, except for the one present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going?”― Tennessee Williams.

he was and will be always a genius! thank you for such beautiful music Marc. They don't make music like this anymore.

Perfect song in every way 😊 I watched the Cher interview with Rylan last night and they played her version of this song but I had to listen to the original today to remind of just what musical perfect genius this song is. Always a lump in my throat when I hear this and I’ve probably heard it a thousand times or more.

Thanks to SNL for bringing me here. That "Walking in Staten" skit was hilarious. 😂

It's one of those songs that just makes you *feel* something. It's a legend wrapped-up in a beautiful melody. Ugh, I just love it.

You can hear and feel the rain pouring 😍🥰

masterpiece in music history 👌

"Tell me are you a christian, child?, and i said mam I am tonight." I am in no way a religious person, but that line always gets me

The Hammond organ glissando just kills it for me. Marc Cohn wrote and sang this truly great song. The lines about Elvis are heart wrenching.

My future hubby showed me this song but this is the original I love it

This song makes my heart happy

Never been to Memphis, but this song makes me feel like I'm there

I'm from Nairobi, Kenya, people here absolutely love this song. In fact, my friend from Memphis visited here and said that he heard this song being played in Nairobi way more than he heard it being played in Memphis itself

Gen X here. Back in the 80's Memphis was a great place to go. Oasis in the delta. The Zoo. Mud Island. Libertyland. Beale St. Going to concerts at the Orpheum. Cruising Graceland. Great times.

One of the best songs ever made! Love it♥️

There's something so spiritual about this song!

Saying goodbye to a co-worker today. She loved Elvis and this song always reminds me of her. RIP Betty and prayers for your kids and grand kids.

What a wonderful song this is . I love it more every time I hear it. Thank you Marc . ❤

Classic. Stuck in my head for dayz 😎

Hey there you random person scrolling through the comments section. Have a great day 👍

I have been soo depressed and I came across this gem and I feel l a million times better 💜

R.I.P. Elvis

During our big family road trip down the East Coast in 2006--PA to Florida--JUST as we crossed the state line into Georgia in the middle of a downpour, Trisha Yearwood's "Georgia Rain" started to play. *Randomly.* My iTunes playlist had been on shuffle. I'll never forget staring around me at the red-tinged puddles and runoff streams as that song played. It was like we were in a bubble and time froze for 4 minutes and 13 seconds. Total silence in the car--everyone had chills. Tears. It was uncanny, poetic, transformative; and I KNOW that if I am ever lucky enough to actually be walking in Memphis, and THIS song came on during shuffle? It would feel the same way--and I could walk forever and never tire.

One of my all time favourite songs.

My 6 month old won’t go to sleep without hearing this song on repeat 😂 he can be crying & as soon as it comes on it calms him. Mark Cohn Is my hero 😂😂🙏🙏

Heard this song for the first time. Greatest song. I respect Cher's version of course, but it's more poppy, danceable, and this version touches the soul. very atmospheric video. I can't break away. God bless Cohn

Well , I am from Memphis. What a place for a vacation. So many cool historic places. Try it some time !!!

If a giant hand reached down and wrung Memphis dry, this song would fill the glass.

Tyson GOATED for this

In 1991 I went to MEMPHIS because of this DIDDY...😅

A story in a song.... that's what this is, yeah!🇺🇸🇮🇪

An absolute masterpiece

One of the best songs ever written, absolutely superb. Sends shivers down the spine, feel the song.

What an amazing feat of songwrighting…. One of the greatest songs ever written

Cant get any better than this moving tribute to the King.