Janis Ian’s Song “Memphis”

Finds The Spotlight Again

With Grant Maloy Smith’s Cover

New Documentary, Janis Ian: Breaking Silence

Now in Theaters and Streaming

LOS ANGELES – When Janis Ian wrote the song “Memphis” with Deana Carter, she could not have imagined the journey it has taken all these years later. Originally released in March 2000 on Ian’s album god & the fbi, the song was recorded as a duet with Willie Nelson featuring Chet Atkins on guitar. A few years later, an enterprising fan made a gorgeous video of the song that garnered several awards and notices in mainstream music press. And now, singer-songwriter Grant Maloy Smith’s cover of “Memphis” has stepped into the spotlight.  

The newest version was released on Smith’s 2024 album Mississippi: American Stories, and features Ian on piano and guitar. It was just nominated for World Entertainment Awards for the Best Americana Song. Winners will be announced at their awards ceremony in Los Angeles on January 30. The recording also picked up a Hollywood Independent Music Awards nomination in their Americana Roots category.  

Ian said, “I love Grant’s voice, and his vocal does the song justice. I was thrilled when he invited me to play on the track. His whole ‘American Songs’ project is amazing in its breadth and scope; I was stunned when he asked to record ‘Memphis’ because every other song on the four albums he’s released in the series so far was written by him.”  

Smith recalled, “Janis sent me her song ‘Memphis,’ and I immediately wanted it for this album. I am so blessed that Janis agreed to play piano and guitar on it. She’s an incredible writer and performer, and a wonderful person. It’s a joy to know her.”  

Never one to rest on her laurels, Ian continues to release new projects. In May 2025, the never-released single “One In A Million” performed by Ian and Joan Baez was made available. Co-written by Ian and Jess Leary, it is an anthem for change and a reminder that your dreams are still attainable, do not lose hope.  

And in June, Janis Ian – From Me To You: Live In Bremen 2004 became available. The double-CD release is the first album of a full live-show in 47 years. For more information, please visit JanisIan.com.  

She is also making appearances to support the theatrical release of a documentary about her life and work. Janis Ian: Breaking Silence is helmed by award-winning director/producer Varda Bar-Kar, best known for Big Voice (Netflix, PBS) and Fandango at the Wall (Max). Along with Ian, the film, which premiered on PBS’ famed American Masters last month, features interviews with friends including Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Lily Tomlin, Jean Smart, Laurie Metcalf, and others.  

Ian is a 10-time GRAMMY nominee (three-time winner), whose songs and performances have resonated with a diverse group of fans for more than six decades. She is one of just a handful of artists who have received nominations in eight completely different categories. Raised by activist Jewish parents on a New Jersey farm, she currently lives in Florida with her partner and wife of 36 years.  

Ian received her first GRAMMY nomination in 1967 for “Best Folk Album” with Janis Ian, featuring “Society’s Child.” She took home her first GRAMMY in 1975 for “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female – At Seventeen,” and her second for “Best Spoken Word Album – Society’s Child: My Autobiography” in 2013. Her 2023 GRAMMY nomination for “Best Folk Album,” The Light at the End of the Line, brought her full circle.  

 

Lyrics
Memphis 
Janis Ian/Deana Carter  

We were standing by the river,
staring into town
 

All the world was on his shoulders
The tears were raining down
All along the Southern skyline,
city lights began to bloom
He said — if you only knew her
the way that I do, sir,
you would be crying too
 

If you could see Memphis the way that I do,
she would look different to you
Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara
Memphis, the belle of the blues
 

The streets were filled with cotton
and music filled the air
All the paddle boats came rolling
from east of everywhere
Now the streets are filled with silence
and songs no one can hear,
but her memory lingers
It slips through my fingers,
and into this river of tears
 

If you could see Memphis the way that I do,
she would look different to you
Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara
Memphis, the belle of the blues
 

So roll on — roll on
My sweet magnolia, roll on
How the memory lingers
It slips through my fingers
and into this river of tears
 

If you could see Memphis the way that I do,
she would look different to you
Queen of the Delta, tip your tiara
Memphis, the belle of the blues
Memphis, the belle of the blues
 

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