"Memphis" | ||||
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Single by Joe Jackson | ||||
from the album Mike's Murder | ||||
Released | 1983 | |||
Length | 4:44 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Songwriter(s) | Joe Jackson | |||
Producer(s) |
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Joe Jackson singles chronology | ||||
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"Memphis" is a song by English singer-songwriter and musician Joe Jackson, which was released in 1983 as a single from the soundtrack album of the American film Mike's Murder . The song was written by Jackson, and produced by Jackson and David Kershenbaum. "Memphis" reached No. 85 on the US Billboard Hot 100. [1]
On its release, Cash Box wrote, "Jackson gives a rockabilly-voiced recounting of a disastrously funny journey to the city of his cultural roots." They considered the organ intro to be similar to that of the 1966 Spencer Davis Group song "Gimme Some Lovin'" and the bass line to be the same as Jackson's 1982 hit "Steppin' Out". [2] In a review of Mike's Murder, Brett Milano of The Boston Globe felt the song "recalls the punkish sound of Jackson's early albums" and also drew similarities between the song's organ riff and "Gimme Some Lovin'". [3]
John Laycock of the Windsor Star stated that the song "consciously steals several musical references, especially the famous organ riff straight out of 'Gimme Some Lovin'.'" [4] Gary Graff of the Detroit Free Press identified further musical similarities and stated that Jackson uses "Memphis" as a "tossing ground for licks" from the Spencer Davis Group's "I'm a Man", the Ventures' "Wipe Out" and the Steve Miller Band's "Living in the U.S.A." [5] Jim Zebora of the Record-Journal noted the similarity to "Steppin' Out", writing, "If you can tell this song from 'Steppin' Out' with your eyes closed, you can probably do the same with identical twins." [6]
Production
Chart (1983) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 [11] | 85 |
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8.
"Legal Man" is the debut single of Scottish indie pop band Belle and Sebastian. The track features Rozanne Suarez and the Maisonettes on vocals and Snow Patrol drummer Jonny Quinn on congas. The cover artwork—designed by Andrew Symington—features band members Stevie Jackson and Isobel Campbell along with Adrienne Payne and Suarez. Two B-sides were released with the single: "Judy Is a Dick Slap", an instrumental, and "Winter Wooskie", which was the last time bass player Stuart David sang lead vocals before departing the band in 2000.
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"Gimme All Your Lovin'" is a song by ZZ Top from their 1983 album Eliminator. It was released as the album's first single in 1983.
David Kershenbaum is an American record producer and entrepreneur, born in Springfield, Missouri. He has worked with many artists including Duran Duran, Tracy Chapman, Joe Jackson, Laura Branigan, Bryan Adams, Supertramp, Cat Stevens, Elkie Brooks, and Tori Amos. As a producer he has earned 75 international gold and platinum albums. His work has yielded multiple Grammys and an Oscar nomination.
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"Auberge" is a song by British singer-songwriter Chris Rea, released in 1991 as the lead single from his eleventh studio album Auberge. It was written by Rea and produced by Jon Kelly. "Auberge" reached No. 16 in the United Kingdom and remained on the UK Singles Chart for six weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Nigel Dick and shot at Bray Studios, Berkshire.
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