Memphis (Joe Jackson song)

"Memphis" is a song written and performed by British musician Joe Jackson. It was released on his 1980 album Beat Crazy. While not released as a single in many markets, the song gained popularity as an album track and is a staple of Jackson's live performances.

The song is a relatively straightforward rock and roll number with a driving rhythm and prominent saxophone. Lyrically, "Memphis" does not focus on the city of Memphis, Tennessee, in a literal sense. Instead, it utilizes the name and associated cultural touchstones (like Elvis Presley) as a symbolic backdrop for themes of alienation, loneliness, and the search for identity. The lyrics depict a sense of unease and displacement, using the iconic imagery of Memphis as a contrast to the protagonist's internal state. It is often interpreted as a commentary on American culture from an outsider's perspective.