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