The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I was born in Memphis on the wrong side of town
Way back up in the projects
We didn't have much bet there was music all around
That was something we could respect
Memphis got the rythm Memphis got the soul
And you know that's a good sign
It's the home of Elvis, he's the king of rock & roll
And everybody had a good time
Willie's on the corner with his dancing shoes
Perry's in the alley cooking barbeque
BB's down on Beale Street and he's singing the blues
Everybody is alright
Ain't nobody uptight
Dancing in the moonlight
Muddy Mississippi roll on
Old man river keeps on playing his song
It'll get your fingers snapping
The first thing you know you're kinda grooving along
And your feet will start to tapping
Have you ever been to Memphis on a Saturday night
When everything is cooking
The whole town's rocking the music is hot and the girls
are all good looking
The mighty Mississippi is muddy and wide
But there's people driving over from the Arkansas side
Get on out amongst us and we'll go for a ride
Hanging on the sidewalk
Talking all that jive talk
Nothing but a nighthawk
Muddy Mississippi roll on
Way back up in the projects
We didn't have much bet there was music all around
That was something we could respect
Memphis got the rythm Memphis got the soul
And you know that's a good sign
It's the home of Elvis, he's the king of rock & roll
And everybody had a good time
Willie's on the corner with his dancing shoes
Perry's in the alley cooking barbeque
BB's down on Beale Street and he's singing the blues
Everybody is alright
Ain't nobody uptight
Dancing in the moonlight
Muddy Mississippi roll on
Old man river keeps on playing his song
It'll get your fingers snapping
The first thing you know you're kinda grooving along
And your feet will start to tapping
Have you ever been to Memphis on a Saturday night
When everything is cooking
The whole town's rocking the music is hot and the girls
are all good looking
The mighty Mississippi is muddy and wide
But there's people driving over from the Arkansas side
Get on out amongst us and we'll go for a ride
Hanging on the sidewalk
Talking all that jive talk
Nothing but a nighthawk
Muddy Mississippi roll on
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Muddy Mississippi Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © CDB MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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