All the Way from Memphis

Infobox Single |
Name = All the Way from Memphis


Artist = Mott the Hoople
from Album = Mott
B-side = "Ballad of Mott (26th March 1972, Zürich)"
Released =
Format = 7" single
Recorded = 1973
Genre = Glam rock
Length = 3:24
Label = CBS Records/Columbia Records
Writer = Ian Hunter
Producer = Mott the Hoople
Last single = "Honaloochie Boogie"
(1973)
This single = "All the Way from Memphis"
(1973)
Next single = "Roll Away the Stone"
(1973)

"All the Way from Memphis" is a single released by Mott the Hoople. The song tells a story about a rock n' roller whose guitar is shipped to Oreole, Kentucky instead of Memphis. The musician gets half-way there before he realizes his instrument is missing and takes a month to track it down. When he gets the guitar back, he is scolded by a stranger for being neglectful and self-centered. In the original version of the song, the stranger is referred to with a racial slur, in later versions the word "dude" is substituted.

The song reflects a weariness with the rock and roll lifestyle, including the strain of constant touring and the low public opinion of rock 'n roll singers. This theme appears in the chorus, which is repeated with minor variations: "you look like a star, but you're still on the dole," "you look like a star, but you're really out on parole."

It was covered by Brian May on his 1998 album Another World

The song was probably based on an actual event involving guitarist Mick Ralphs. This loss of the Micks guitar is also mentioned on The Ballad of Mott The Hoople.

The song was used in the film "Breaking the Waves" and "Alice doesn't live here anymore".