Wrong Side of Memphis
Encyclopedia
"Wrong Side of Memphis" is the title of a country music
song written by Matraca Berg
and Gary Harrison. First recorded by John Berry on his 1990 independent album Saddle the Wind, it was later released by American country music
singer, Trisha Yearwood
in 1992. It was the first single released off her second studio album, Hearts in Armor
.
. The song tells the story of a woman who lives south of Memphis, Tennessee
and has decided to take her chances and move to Nashville, Tennessee
, where she can fulfill her dream of becoming a country music singer. Because Nashville (where the song's subject is destined) is to the northeast of Memphis, the area south of Memphis (where the song's subject begins) is considered the "wrong" side.
As revealed on an episode of Live From The Bluebird Cafe, the song is a semi-autobiographical account of a period when the song's writer, Matraca Berg, lived in Louisiana
and became homesick for Nashville shortly thereafter.
Although Yearwood is mainly known for her pop-styled ballads, "Wrong Side of Memphis" is one of the few songs she has released that is considered up-tempo and twangy.
The music video for "Wrong Side of Memphis" was released following the single's release and debuted on CMT
in 1992.
In the mid-nineties, Yearwood and her band heavily re-arranged the song to create a more soulful, bluesy feel. This revised version has now become a staple at Yearwood's concerts.
also reviewed her second studio album and critiqued all of the songs, including "Wrong Side of Memphis." The reviewer called the song "bluesy," and the only exception on the album that is not an emotional diary.
by the end of the year. It was the most successful solo single from Yearwood's Hearts in Armor.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song written by Matraca Berg
Matraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
and Gary Harrison. First recorded by John Berry on his 1990 independent album Saddle the Wind, it was later released by American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer, Trisha Yearwood
Trisha Yearwood
Patricia Lynn Yearwood, professionally known as Trisha Yearwood , is an American country music artist. She is best known for her ballads about vulnerable young women from a female perspective that have been described by some music critics as "strong" and "confident."Trisha Yearwood signed with MCA...
in 1992. It was the first single released off her second studio album, Hearts in Armor
Hearts in Armor
Hearts in Armor is the second studio album by country singer Trisha Yearwood.Four of its tracks found spots in the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1992 and 1993: "Wrong Side of Memphis" rose to #5, "Walkaway Joe" to #2, "You Say You Will" to #12, and "Down on My Knees" to #19...
.
Song information
"Wrong Side of Memphis" was written by Garry Harrison and Matraca BergMatraca Berg
Matraca Maria Berg is an American country music singer and songwriter. She has released five albums: three for RCA Records, one for Rising Tide Records and one for Dualtone Records, and has charted in the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard country charts with "Baby, Walk On" and "The Things You Left...
. The song tells the story of a woman who lives south of Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
and has decided to take her chances and move to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, where she can fulfill her dream of becoming a country music singer. Because Nashville (where the song's subject is destined) is to the northeast of Memphis, the area south of Memphis (where the song's subject begins) is considered the "wrong" side.
As revealed on an episode of Live From The Bluebird Cafe, the song is a semi-autobiographical account of a period when the song's writer, Matraca Berg, lived in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and became homesick for Nashville shortly thereafter.
Although Yearwood is mainly known for her pop-styled ballads, "Wrong Side of Memphis" is one of the few songs she has released that is considered up-tempo and twangy.
The music video for "Wrong Side of Memphis" was released following the single's release and debuted on CMT
Country Music Television
Country Music Television, or CMT, is an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming includes music videos, taped concerts, movies, biographies of country music stars, game shows, and reality programs...
in 1992.
In the mid-nineties, Yearwood and her band heavily re-arranged the song to create a more soulful, bluesy feel. This revised version has now become a staple at Yearwood's concerts.
Critical reception
"Wrong Side of Memphis" was given positive reviews by many music critics and reviewers. Allmusic reviewed Yearwood's album Hearts in Armor, and called the song a, "a tough, near spitting rocker tempered by honky tonk fiddles was written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison, opened the disc and may have thrown fans of her ballad style." About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
also reviewed her second studio album and critiqued all of the songs, including "Wrong Side of Memphis." The reviewer called the song "bluesy," and the only exception on the album that is not an emotional diary.
Chart performance
"Wrong Side of Memphis" was released in 1992, and became a Top 10 hit, peaking at #5 on the Billboard Country ChartHot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
by the end of the year. It was the most successful solo single from Yearwood's Hearts in Armor.
| Chart (1992) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks | 5 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 4 |