This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Long Distance Information, give me Memphis, Tennessee.
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me.
They would not leave a number, but I know the place to call,
Cause my uncle took a message, and he wrote it on the wall.
Long Distance Information, get in touch with my Marie.
She's the only one who'd phone me here from Memphis, Tennessee.
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge,
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge.
Long Distance Information, more than that I cannot add.
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had.
But we were torn apart because her Mom did not agree,
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Now, last time I saw Marie, she was waving me goodbye,
With "hurry home" drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes.
Marie is only 6 years old. Information, please,
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.
Yes, oh, yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge. I'll pay.
But which loved one is calling me? I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my heart, her Mom and my Marie.
It's so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee.
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know.
Surely you have not forgot how much I love you so.
If you would remember, dear, and sometimes talk to me.
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave.
You didn't want to see me off, and promised not to grieve.
My heart was torn apart, as I looked back at Marie.
And there the pieces still remain with you in Tennessee.
I Guess I should stop talking, after all, you placed the call.
But any way that I can help. you know I'll help you all.
Then her mother told me to come back and see Marie,
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Help me find the party that tried to get in touch with me.
They would not leave a number, but I know the place to call,
Cause my uncle took a message, and he wrote it on the wall.
Long Distance Information, get in touch with my Marie.
She's the only one who'd phone me here from Memphis, Tennessee.
Her home is on the south side, high up on a ridge,
Just a half a mile from the Mississippi Bridge.
Long Distance Information, more than that I cannot add.
Only that I miss her and all the fun we had.
But we were torn apart because her Mom did not agree,
And tore apart our happy home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Now, last time I saw Marie, she was waving me goodbye,
With "hurry home" drops on her cheeks that trickled from her eyes.
Marie is only 6 years old. Information, please,
Try to put me through to her in Memphis, Tennessee.
Yes, oh, yes, Long Distance, I'll accept the charge. I'll pay.
But which loved one is calling me? I did not hear you say.
Both are deep within my heart, her Mom and my Marie.
It's so good to hear your voice from Memphis, Tennessee.
Oh, you mean so much to me, more than you'll ever know.
Surely you have not forgot how much I love you so.
If you would remember, dear, and sometimes talk to me.
Maybe that would reunite our home in Tennessee.
Last time I saw you, just before I had to leave.
You didn't want to see me off, and promised not to grieve.
My heart was torn apart, as I looked back at Marie.
And there the pieces still remain with you in Tennessee.
I Guess I should stop talking, after all, you placed the call.
But any way that I can help. you know I'll help you all.
Then her mother told me to come back and see Marie,
And live together in our home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Memphis, Tennessee Lyrics as written by Chuck Berry
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Great version of a great song,
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