After the Direstraits song "Calling Elvis", Mark Knopfler recorded another Elvis themed song titled "Back To Tupelo" for his new solo album "Shangri-la". The lyrics:
Back To Tupelo
around the time of 'clambake'
movie number twenty-five
you and the lying dutchman
are still in overdrive
you're as strong as when you started
mississippi in your soul
you can still be marlon brando
and the king of rock and roll
it isn't just the records
no, you must have hollywood
the songs alone are not enough
that much is understood
you'll soon be back in memphis
maybe then you'll know what to do
the storylines they're giving you
are just not ringing true
oh, it's a ways to go
back to tupelo
when you're young and beautiful
your dreams are all ideals
later on it's not the same
lord, everything is real
sixteen hundred miles of highway
roll back to the truth
and a song to give your mother
in your first recording booth
around the time of 'clambake'
that old dream's still rolling on
sometimes there'll be the feeling
things are going wrong
the morning star is fading
Lord, the mississippi's cold
you can still be marlon brando
and the king of rock and roll
but it's a ways to go
back to tupelo
Back To Tupelo
October 01, 2004 | Other Source:Mark Knopfler Websitedoctor wrote on
October 02, 2004
Can't wait to hear Mark Knopler's song. The lyrics are very poetic and have authenticity to them. Beautiful!
kelvin m wilson wrote on
October 02, 2004
beautiful is the only word to describe these lyrics. mark knopler has come up trumps with this one. wonder if it might possibly be issued as a single ??
Jefffirmin wrote on
October 02, 2004
Great lyrics! I'd love to hear the tune. I guess Mark Knofler must be an Elvis fan gven that he's written at least two tracks relating to him. Another fantastic artist showing tribute to Elvis. Thanks Mark.
Crawfish wrote on
October 04, 2004
Great lyrics! Already requested in on radio - they always want to be the first!