It’s long been rumored… ever since Muddy Waters was “Going Back to Memphis,” since Johnny Rivers called “Long Distance Information,” and long before Marc Cohn was “Walking in Memphis.” The city known for the birth of rock & roll and soul music has the distinction of being included in the lyrics of more recorded songs than any other city on the planet.

But now rumors die as the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum posts a comprehensive list of 899 recorded and distributed songs which include “Memphis” in their lyrics. Sure, New York started “spreading the news,” many crooners left their heart “in San Francisco,” and, of course, there have been many musical references to those “Nashville Cats” down Interstate 40… but Memphis holds the undisputed lead. The lengthy list can be found by clicking on the “music” icon on the museum’s web site at www.memphisrocknsoul.org [1].

Visitors to the site will see those expected names… Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison. However, the epicenter of rock and soul music has been woven into lyrics for almost every genre of music, including blues, alternative, country, rock, rap and reggae. “Memphis” has been sung by a long list, including Sammy Hagar, Stray Cats, The Killers, Rod Stewart, Grateful Dead, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Alabama, Tim McGraw, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Elton John, U2, Bob Dylan, Huey Lewis & The News, Joni Mitchell, Allman Brothers, Nirvana, Cher, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springstein, Beastie Boys, Billy Idol, REM, Jan & Dean, Bon Jovi, Phish, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, John Denver, Smashing Pumpkins, even Snoop Dog. The eccentric list even includes songs by Neon Cactus, Elvis Hitler, Kowtow Popof, Spock’s Beard, Peetie Wheatstraw, Xray Men, Star Barefoot Walker, Runaway Planet, The Disco Biscuits, Babe the Blue Ox, Pianosaurus and Enchanted Ape.

Is it complete? Certainly not, and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum invites visitors to email additions to the list (or arguments from citizens in Katmandu who believe the Bob Seger song by the same name should place them in first place). Submissions will be researched, verified and added to the list, but must have been recorded and distributed. While the museum applauds your creativity, that River City ditty you created in the shower just doesn’t count.

The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is located at 191 Beale and Third St. at FedExForum in downtown Memphis. The museum’s exhibit was researched and created by the Smithsonian Institution, and tells of the legends who, for the love of music, created the songs that changed the cultural complexion of the world forever. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Additional information is available by calling (901) 205-2533 or www.memphisrocknsoul.org [2].