John Cale's song "Memphis" tells the story of a person desperately trying to get in touch with someone named Marie in Memphis, Tennessee. The lyrics depict the protagonist seeking assistance from long distance information to find the party who called and left a message. The message was taken by the protagonist's uncle and written on the wall. The protagonist expresses their longing to reach Marie, who is the only person to call them from Memphis. Her home is described as being on the south side, high up on a ridge, near the Mississippi Bridge. The lyrics also mention that Marie's mother disapproved of their relationship, which caused them to be separated and their happy home torn apart. The plea for help intensifies as the protagonist desperately asks for more information, emphasizing how much they miss Marie and the happy times they had together. The song concludes by revealing that Marie is only six years old, and the protagonist pleads for help in connecting with her in Memphis, Tennessee. Overall, the song portrays a heartfelt longing to reunite with a loved one in Memphis while highlighting the challenges and obstacles that have kept them apart.
