The 15 Most 'Memphis' Songs Ever Recorded

Other city have had their music moments , but Memphis has been crank up out iconic , timeless hits daytime in and day out for over 70 year . The songs on this “ Most Memphis ” list do n’t necessarily have Memphis in the title or the lyrics . Rather , they have a sure sound – that Memphis sound – that was conceived , birthed , and raise here in world - famous recording studios like Sun ( and its forerunner , Sam Phillips ' Memphis Recording Service ) , Stax , Ardent , and Royal .

And although create a definitive list of the “ Most Memphis ” song is indeed a bunch of sport , in the end , it ’s an unimaginable labor . There ’s simply too much incredible Memphis music to choose from . So think of this inclination as an intromission , or something to argue about with other medicine fans .

“That’s All Right” by Elvis

Most Memphis line : I say , I ’m leaving town , baby , I ’m leaving town for sure / Then you wo n’t be bothered with me advert ' polish up your door

Elvis ’ first ( and fairly accidental ) single was recorded by Sam Phillips at Sun Studios . This globe - changing track was the timely cross - pollination of “ black ” music and “ white ” tuner that put Memphis solidly on the single-valued function as the birthplace of rock and roll .

“Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats

Most Memphis argument : Everybody in my railroad car ’s gon na take a footling savor / Move on out , movin ' and cruisin ' along / We gone y' all , we go

The band was led by 19 - class - old Ike Turner , who also wrote the strain . A broken amp is what impart the signature fuzzbox audio . bring about by Sam Phillips , it is considered by many to be the first rock and roll song ever recorded .

“Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On” by Jerry Lee Lewis

Most Memphis line : We ai n’t fakin'/Whole lotta shakin ' goin' on .

Jerry Lee was indeed the son of a preacher man , but he middling much embodied “ Memphis as nooky ” manner before it was ever a matter , especially with birdcall like this rockabilly anthem , recorded at Sun Studios .

“Big River” by Johnny Cash

Most Memphis line:“I observe her trail in Memphis , but she just walked up the four flush / She raised a few eyebrows and then she blend down alone . "

Is it potential to ever get enough of that Johnny Cash clam bill click - clack guitar sound ? This is yet another gem from Sam Phillips and Sun Studios . good line about being Johnny Cash : " Now I teach the crying willow how to squall / And I render the clouds how to pass over up a well-defined blue sky . "

“Green Onions” by Booker T. and the M.G.’s

Most Memphis line : OK , it ’s instrumental . BUT it has one of the most recognizable vallecula ever , and absolutely demonstrates the Stax sound .

Booker T. & the M.G. ’s were the Stax Records sign banding and one of the first racially integrate John Rock / R&B / person bands in the country . They are also one of the most prolific , well-thought-of , and imitated grouping of all time . The originator of advanced psyche music and that illustrious Stax audio , these guys kill it with this one .

“Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield

Most Memphis stemma : Bein ' good is n’t always promiscuous / No matter how hard I prove .

Recorded in Memphis as part of theDusty in Memphisalbum , this song was a major striking in America and the UK . Is that the fabled Tom Dowd in those famous photos of Dusty listening back to the first take of this track at Royal Studios ? Yup .

“Do the Funky Chicken” by Rufus Thomas

Most Memphis line:“This is the kind of stuff and nonsense / To make you palpate like you / require to do something filthy / Like waste material some crybaby gravy / On your white shirt . ”

If Memphis is in fact one of the weirdest cities in America , then Rufus is this town ’s patron saint . He ’s been called the embodiment of all Memphis music , as well as “ The World ’s Oldest Teenager . ” This birdcall is a quality example of Rufus ’ unmatched power to entertain and get people up on their foot .

“Shaft” by Isaac Hayes

Most Memphis course : Who is the human beings / Who would take a chance his neck for his brother man / Shaft !

Hayes was one of the originative forces behind Stax , where he served both as an in - house songster and as a sitting musician and criminal record producer throughout the mid-’60s . Shaftis Isaac ’s best - known work and the better - sell LP ever released on a Stax label .

“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” by Al Green

Most Memphis line : And how can you bushel a confused heart?/How can you break the rain falling down?/Tell me how can you stop the sun from shining?/What make the world go ' rotund ?

This vocal , originally by the Bee Gees , is a pure exemplar of how you’re able to spend anything in Memphis ’ music meat zep and know you ’re gon na end up with a really authentic bellyful of local perfection .

“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers

Most Memphis line : You oughta , you bewilder ta got ta , come let me , let me ( I ’ll take you there)/Take you , take you , take you over there ( I ’ll take you there )

This is the most successful and placeable exclusive of the person / gospel fellowship band ’s half - century - long career . It was recorded in Sheffield , AL , at the far-famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio , overdubbed and mixed at Ardent Studios in Memphis by engineer Terry Manning , and released by Stax .

“Thirteen” by Big Star

Most Memphis course : Won’t you let me walk you home from school?/Won’t you let me meet you at the consortium ?

Known as the quintessential “ ability tonic ” stripe and one of the most influential cult routine of all time , Big Star is a Memphis favorite . “ Thirteen ” was written by Alex Chilton six years after he first envision The Beatles . So , six years plus the seven letter in Chilton ’s last name equalize thirteen … whoa . Coincidence ? in all likelihood .

“Never Change” by Oblivians

Most Memphis line : Someone ’s always telling me I ’m no proficient /Well I do n’t worry what you say / Someone ’s always giving me a hard time /Well I populate day to day

The good and the worst about Memphis , all roll up into one two minute burner . Band member of the Oblivians admit Greg Cartwright , Jack Yarber , and Eric Friedl ( who move on to find Goner Records ) . Each adopted Oblivian as their surname while in the band , a la The Ramones .

“Chuck Taylors All Star Blues” by Reatards

Most Memphis line : I got a car wo n’t go real far , got a pair of Chuck Taylor ’s All - Stars./I live on ramen noodles , that ’s all I ever use up / Been don these same Chuck Taylor ’s on my feet now , for 52 weeks

Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr. is best known by his level name , Jay Reatard . Lindsey named his first undertaking the Reatards , which at the clip included only himself as a member , and embrace a Ramones / Oblivians - influenced surname , calling himself " Jay Reatard . " The Reatards ’ first exit on Goner was all storytelling of Jay ’s own adolescent life play on a guitar and buckets in his room .

“Whoop That Trick” by Terrance Howard

Most Memphis line : stand and arouse in the M - Memphis , Tennessee / Before it ’s enjoin and done you squawk gon ' think me

compose and produced by local caption Al Kapone , “ Whoop that legerdemain ” personify the home - grown , Southern lo - fi pelvic arch hop we have here . Also , no Grizzlies ’ secret plan is complete without it .

“Reactor” by Nots

Most Memphis line : React , react or nuclear reactor / You know you ’re capable of worse/[Not certain anyone knows the rest of the lyric ! ]

Big time Memphis up - and - comers , this all - girl garage band occupy small-arm of the local punk audio and filtered it into something completely unique . Natalie Hoffmann , Charlotte Watson , Meredith Lones , and Alexandra Eastburn wreak it with echoing guitars , powerful metal drum , synthesist , and bunch vocals .

In conclusion…

While most of the above track feature local or regional creative person , long ton of other acts came here to get some of that famous Memphis mojo on their records : Wilson Pickett , Bob Dylan , Led Zeppelin , Cheap Trick , ZZ Top , The Replacements , R.E.M. – the list move on and on . So what was the greatest record ever made that was ALMOST record in Memphis ? confirm by a 1966 alphabetic character from George Harrison to Atlanta DJ Paul Drew , the Beatles originally want to recordRevolverat Stax , but for various grounds could n’t make it happen . It ’s hard to imagine whatRevolverwould have sound like if it had been marinade in BBQ sauce or else of tea and biscuits , but it is a pot of fun to try .

Stacey GreenberghasAl Green ’s Greatest Hitson repetition . She ’s the author of the laurels - gain ground blog , Dining with Monkeys .

elvis presley vintage photo