Well Nashville had country music but Memphis had the soul
   Lord, the white boy had the rhythm and that started rock and roll
   And I was here when it happened don’t you all think I ought to know
   I was here when it happened, yeah, yeah, yeah
   I watched Memphis give birth to rock and roll, Lord, lord yeah.
  
   Well the cat named Elvis Be-Bopped in to sun right off the street
   Sang “Blue Moon” of OKY but he did it with a brand new beat
   Guess he sought him a sleeping world and out there by surprise
   Jack ‘em up, you rang them out and he’ hung ‘em out to dry
   I was there when it happened, don’t you all think I ought to know, lord, lord
   Yeah I was here when it happened I watched Memphis give birth to rock and roll
   Here’s kinda the way it happened
  
   Well the drummer boy was the beatin’ on the drums a rockin’ and a goin’ wild
   The real city slicker was clickin’ and clackin’ and doin’ it in a different style
   hit car strumming a beat and a pumpin' and the lead man picking out the blues
   hip-shaking singer was a swinging and a swinging saying some style blue suede shoes
   and I was here when it happened, Lord I think I ought to know, yeah, yeah
   Folks I was here when it happened I watched Memphis give birth to rock and roll
   What you think about it little guitar c’mon son
  
   Some folks called it the devils music others said it wouldn’t last long
   31 years since we started shakin’ proves somebody was wrong
   the 64’s, the Beatles and the four were rock and roll's best friends
   The Beatles and The Stones brought the old beat home
   And world went crazy again I was here when it happened
   My friend I think I ought to know, yeah , yeah
   Well I was there when it happened
   I watched Memphis give birth to rock and roll
   Lord yeah, c’mon