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