Yes - THIS is the way this song is meant to be sung: raw, gritty and pure.

Many people think it was a tribute to Elvis. Actually, Marc was experiencing writers block as well as other things going on in his life. So, he went down to Memphis and found inspiration through his experiences there and that included WC Handy (blues legend) as well as Elvis and others like Muriel who inspired him when he came in and played and sang many hymns with her. Lots of great inspiration for this song. It actually made him a big music star after writing this.

I just watched an interview with Marc about the origins of this song. He ia a Jewish boy from Cleveland Ohio and when he went to listen to Reverend Al Green sing for 3 hours straight he said he wondered if his people had gotten it wrong. :-) And Miss Murial was a 65 year old teacher who sang at the Hollywood on Fridays. She asked Mark to sing with her. They were all gospel songs that he didn't know. He said she would whisper the words in his ear and he would sing them. The last song was Amazing Grace. He knew that one.

@jillk368

2 жыл бұрын

All of us Jewish people love gospel music, at least the Jewish people in this house. :)

I also have a bombshell…. I never knew Cher had a version of this song 😂😂 so glad you have discovered the original!!

@glennelfmann3143

2 жыл бұрын

You're not the only one!!

@joesmith5097

2 жыл бұрын

Same, also no interest in hearing her version. Don't wanna ruin this one!

@BensonNE

Жыл бұрын

i was also a bit surprised he had only heard the Cher version. I do know that album was a bigger hit in the UK and bombed here but still surprising to learn that. As in real proof that that album and song was a hit.

@karylbelitz6704

Жыл бұрын

GLAD YOU HEARD THIS VERSION!!!!

@WILLIAMMORALES-gw1zz

5 ай бұрын

I'm glad i had no idea either,.

I’m so happy to see your reaction to this. But you should read the story behind this song. He didn’t grow up in Memphis. He was a Jewish guy from New York who had a fondness for gospel music and a massive case of writer’s block. Someone told him to go to Memphis so he did…and it changed his life. It’s an amazing song. Incidentally, it’s okay that Cher’s version was the only one you knew. Lonestar also covered this song in the early 2000’s (I think) and a lot of people thought that was their song. I like to think it’s a testament to how powerful this song is for a lot of people that they want to cover it. Cheers!

I love love this song. He is amazing. He won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist because of this performance. I never knew that Cher had covered this song.

@Dan2xGalicia-cb2tf

2 ай бұрын

It was nominated for Song of the Year

This is the version I remember. Love his voice, love his sincerity.

I'm in the States and I've never heard Cher's version. Didn't know it even existed.

As a Memphis Native, this song has a special place in my heart.

@1719456

2 жыл бұрын

I can only imagine!

@3ScotsInk

Жыл бұрын

Memphis born and raised, too. I left at 24 and have lived many places all over the U.S. since. But this song always takes me back and never fails to give me chills.

@Acord718

11 ай бұрын

I'm from NYC but I love this song. And I dream about one day walking on Memphis. And visiting Graceland. Beautiful city

@andibobo3102

5 ай бұрын

Same ... Memphis proud

This song always reminds me of the last trip that I took with my Mommy. I finally got to Graceland, Sun Records, one of Elvis's favorite diners, listened to the Blues on Beale Street, road a river boat and went to the Peabody Hotel. Crammed a whole lot into one weekend and loved it

@velvetplatz1024

2 жыл бұрын

Now that sounds like a trip to Heaven to me. My hubby took me to Memphis a few years ago(I'm in Canada) and it was one of the highlights of my life. Thanks for sharing your story.

@larryd4352

2 жыл бұрын

Cindy, If you ever go back to Memphis, allow some time to head down to Greenville, MS...I always feel like I have gone back in time! It's in the heart of the Mississippi Delta!

@cameronsnyder1246

2 жыл бұрын

I love seeing my home town getting love like this. Please come back and I'll buy you a drink.

You feel Marc's soul in this. Amazing how a deeply-sincere song can, out of the blue, move you to tears with its honesty and beauty.

This song is so powerful. So full of examples of how an experience can change our lives. If you know the story of how Marc Cohn wrote this song, you know that he was going thru a terrible time in his life. In the song he describes the meeting with Murelle at the Hollywood Cafe, as a life changing experience. How she ignited a spark within him that changed his life, and his love of music. One line in the song, I feel, completely sums up his feelings at the time. "Touched down in the land of the Delta blues, in the middle of the pouring rain". He's been invited to this place. The heart and soul of real music. He arrives with hope but is still carrying the storm of despair (pouring rain), when this beautiful soulful woman touches his life, which puts him on an incredible life revival. We never know how much a simple act of love, might change a person's life.

Genius Song. Genius Production. Genius Performance!

I live an hour away from Memphis. This song hits a core cause their really spots in the city where you can feel something in the air. Makes the hairs on the back of my neck wake up. Amazing place full of history.

This song is perfectly written, gives you chills too when he says he "saw the ghost of elvis".

This is such a wonderful song. Marc Cohn deserves more recognition. Now you really must react to Cohn’s song “True Companion”. It’s a beautiful love song… the music and the lyrics will touch your heart. The perfect wedding song.

@larryd4352

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree! He is a great story teller with his music!

I think I read somewhere that this was his 'ephihany' sobg- he went to Memphis to try and write again, and he found it, walking the streets of Memphis. I think this is his... His love letter, in a way, to Memphis, almost like a thank you for helping him get his spark back.

Memphis is my happy place. You can feel Elvis everywhere. It wonderful. Plus….the blues. ❤️

Oh good God! I thought you were joking about Cher doing a cover, but I found it after a quick search. All I can say about finding/hearing it is "If I could turn back time ...."

Love this song. Nice to hear the original by Marc Cohn from 1991. I read somewhere that he said this song is 100 % autobiographical of his life. Many people have done covers of it including Cher in 1995 & Lonestar in 2003.

@bowler9749

2 жыл бұрын

Lonestar is my favourite version

@larryd4352

2 жыл бұрын

You're correct, Rev. Green and Muriel are real people he met!

I don't know how familiar you are with Memphis, but this song sums up the city perfectly. Cohn isn't from there, but he wrote the song about when he visited once, and although not everything is literal to his visit, much of it is. It always reminds me of the time I visited Memphis. A buddy of mine wanted to see the Civil Rights Museum and Graceland. I, being a musician, just wanted to experience Beale Street (an old street that was and still is a haven of blues bars). And of course, we wanted to try some of the barbecue that the city is known for. Well, long story short, we visited the museum and Graceland, but the bulk of our week-long trip was spent on Beale Street. He had never been into blues, but ended up buying several CDs of performers there. It was a great time. But Beale, to me, seems to just bring everything great about the city together -- the history, the music, the culture. If you ever get a chance to visit, I highly recommend it. One of my best vacations ever. And the soul of the city, you can feel it in this song, and you can feel it there -- the excitement, the nostalgia, and the heartache, all come together. Consequently, the Hollywood Cafe that mentions is a little north of Tunica, Mississippi (Memphis is in Tennessee, but near the Mississippi border). Muriel Wilkins played piano there for many years.

My mother saw Elvis in concert around 1975! We have her ticket stub framed on black velvet. I have always loved this song.

Great song! Marc had traveled to Memphis to hopefully cure his writers block for songs he wanted to "feel". The "Hollywood" is a cafe in Robinsonville, MS where they play music. It was originally a feed/general store later turned to a cafe. (The Hollywood Cafe). You can look it up on the "Food Channel" I used to eat there all the time when I would go to Tunica. Needless to say, Marc found his emotional song.

I'm from California and lived there when I first heard this album (whole thing is great). When I moved to the South 17 years ago Memphis was my first out-of-town trip. I dropped my wife off on Beale St. and went to park the car. On the way back I popped my earbuds in and listened to this song. I teared up, much like you. It's a powerful song and a fantastic place. Cheers!

You got that right, this is the best version. I've been an Elvis fan since the 50's. I've been on Beale street 3 times and have pictures of me and my kids sitting on that statue of Elvis with the guitar. Thanks for the song and reaction, I haven't heard it for a while. I've been too busy watching Nightwish with Floor and Floor's solo stuff reactions and have been slacking off of my Elvis music. LOL.

I have always loved this but then I live in Memphis. The Hollywood is still standing.

Love Marc Cohn! I didn’t even know Cher did a cover of it, learned something new! My husband and I would have had his song True Companion as our first dance at our wedding if we had had a dance, but we didn’t. He’s got an amazing voice land just something that takes you right back to all the good feelings of better times. Just transports you there. The album this song came from, called Marc Cohn, I listen to the whole album, don’t skip any songs!! Great reaction glad you heard the true version! 😁

This version is the only one that I have ever known, I did not know that Cher did it too, so I will have to listen to her version. Always great to see you singing along to the songs that you know. Thank you for your reaction!

@lanaj1107

2 жыл бұрын

Don't do it!! 😄😆

@taylorfamilyreactions

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! 🤣

So, if we’re lucky, we get to live and learn. Count yourself lucky, if you’re hearing this for the first time.

THIS is the only version I know!! One of the best songs with so much rawness and grit. Love it. Learned it all as a teen and still remember the words. It touched me. 😘

It's gotta be sung by Marc and no one else!❤

My older brother lived close to Memphis. Every time I walk down Beale Street I heard this song in my mind. And Graceland still has the Jungle Room.

This was written by Marc Cohn and I never knew that Cher had a version. I'm sure that others will tell you the story of how Marc Cohn happened to be in Memphis and it's a great one. I love his voice and his emotion. Thanks for reviewing it.

This song always makes me emotional and I can't tell you why

There's a song, Black Velvet. I use to play this and Black Velvet one after the other. Brings back memories of being in Memphis. These songs bring the images to your mind if you've been there or not.

I'm from Cleveland Ohio he's a great artist! I love this song!

I have heard Cher’s sing this song too. But this is my fav by far!! He has such a beautiful voice!!!

Such a powerful song 🎵

I agree 100% with your reaction. I grew up on this song, and never could appreciate Cher's version. No hate, she is a legend, I just don't prefer her flavor. I liken his version to a book, I can feel it and it takes me to a place that I've never experienced (even though I live a few hundred miles from it's historic location) and that is priceless to me.

Cher did a cover of this song, and did it well. Both artists are great

Didn't know Cher sing this song! Beautiful song!!❤

This song is so glorious.

Loved hearing this song...been a long time! Thanks for doing this reaction!

I agree, this is how this song was meant to be sung. It's personal to him and it shows.

I have always loved this song, thank you for reacting to it! I have never heard Cher's version, but nothing can beat Marc Cohn's rendition!

We all deserve to feel like this once in our life.

It's so weird being raised in Memphis and seeing all this and hearing all that that I see and have seen daily in Memphis ❤

This is such a powerful song! I love your reaction!

Watch Marc Cohn: Walking in Memphis. Marc is older and he is on stage in a small setting and he explains the back story of why he wrote the piece and also performs the song.

Love this song….. by this guy!!

Sorry I’m late to the party 😂 This song has haunted me since my uni days in the early 90s where I met my wife. It’s always been a reminder of good days and it uplifts me, it also makes my eyes damp! If you can find mark cohns live album the version on it it sublime. Thanks for taking the time to review and share.

@runsayn

Жыл бұрын

Always make me teary eyed too.

I bought the cd when it came out. Another song from it that I enjoyed is Silver Thunderbird. It has the same feeling in this song as he looking back on his childhood

Never Cher had a version as well, and I agree Marc sings with so many emotions...cry 😢

Marc is actually not from Memphis. The song describes a journey of discovery, when he had hit a low point creatively. That is why you can sense the anguish in his delivery.

I used to be a trucker. Been in Memphis many times. Great music. I miss the barbecue.

Great commentary

Cohn wrote this song. I think it was first performed by a band called "Lonestar".

beautiful reaction...

Love the song, an all time favorite for me. I really like how you present the video as well. Great job!

The country band Lonestar who had a big hit in the UK and several other countries with their song Amazed, have also covered this song too

Loved your reaction, thanks. One of the best songs ever recorded.

WC Handy (mentioned in the song) is considered the father of the blues. He wrote St Louis blues.

Great song!

One of my favorite songs.. never heard that Cher sang it..

Oh yeah, true, true, Marc sings about snippits of his experiences in Memphis, we can hear and feel his experiences, his pleasures and his wonders, his astonishments and his reverence. Wonderful recollections, a masterfully told story, I love it.

One of my favorite song , thanks

You have such beautiful blue eyes, lucky man!

"Walking in Manchester....It's gray & shit weather everyday."

Love Marc ! No comparison to Cher. Fully heartfelt, full soul. More Marc please. And also would you react to the new oversimplified? The pig war? Yet another almost war only over a pig this time.

Cher's version doesn't come close to this (the original). Love the piano. Great choice!

This is the only version I know. Didn't know Cher covered it.

I didn't know Cher did a version of this song. I think Lonestar did a version of this also.

Check out his "Silver Thunderbird'...

The first bridge you see over the river is a railroad bridge. I got in trouble in 1982 for walking on it on Christmas Eve. Fun times...lol. I was a minor, so they called my parents. Not fun times.

Memphis 8s a city with a soul. I think this song captures it from the catfish on the table to the jungle room. Reverend Green W. C. Handy and the king it is all here. great song about my home town and I have loved it from the first time I heard 8t!

I had no idea Cher covered this song. *Cringe* Edit- I got to see him live a few years back. Incredible!

❤️

I've always loved that he went to Memphis, because he had writer's block, and this is the song that came out of it. It's one of the best songs that I've ever heard and one of my favorites to this day. He went back to share the song with Muriel once it was finished but she passed before he could have her listen to it. Just found this video of Muriel's son talking about her, giving a brief history from 8-9 years ago. kzread.info/dash/bejne/iWR1upKSo9yXd9I.html

Never heard Cher's version but I went and listened to a bit so I could compare. Yes, Marc's version is so much better.

Check out Alabama’s, “Once in a lifetime.” So beautiful and you will not be disappointed.

This song was all over on MTV Europe in the early ‘90s. I thought to myself “this guy is gonna get real famous!” But life’s a bitch, isn’t it?

Marc Cohn's first CD had lots of great songs on it! I'm a new subscriber enjoying now going back through many of your reactions, but if no one has mentioned this yet, you should know there is a wonderful Ken Burns documentary on dvd about the history of country music. It's chock full of incredible stories about the icons, their struggles and their eventual success. I think you and your family would really enjoy it! Ken Burns Country Music: kzread.info/dash/bejne/f4qDvM5vZ5TZo7w.html

Please listen to The Casinos, Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye from the 60's. Such an amazing love song.

I didn’t know comrade cher ever recorded it.

@larynanntapp6333

2 жыл бұрын

Comrade???? You lost me!! 😅

Please react to Black Velvet. Another song with thoughts on Elvis.

I loved your reaction to this song. First time watching your channel. I’ve subscribed.

Listen to the version by Eli Mattson on AGT a few tears ago.

And I have never heard Chers version! Lol

This is the original.He wrote this and is a true story of part of his life.You should search the story behind the song.Its very powerful,and he and Muriel stayed friends.When he married he flew her from Tennessee to NY so she could attend his wedding

Touching reaction. This is the ONLY version for me.

I listen to a lot of pop I Listen to a lot of country. I never knew cher did this song ever not much of a fan of her.

I'm an atheist, but when the line in the song comes on where she asks him if he's a Christian child and he says "ma'am I am Tonight!" I get chills every damn time

@JedemPoKucama

Жыл бұрын

He is real my friend..

After Cher, what a revelation, right?

I confess...I have never heard any of the covers, including Cher's

Please react to Billy Joel - for the longest time. He sings ALL parts!! It’s an amazing song.

I didnt know there was a Cher version

Lonestar does a good version of this. I don't know if you've heard anything by Lonestar but one you might like is "Outside Looking In"

Lonestar's country version was also good.

See, a Memphian will not lead you wrong in music!

Thank you so much for a great reaction! I have never heard the Cher version... maybe it wasn't so big hit here in Norway? Or I might have been somewhere else on my music journey.