“Memphis Skyline” by Rufus Wainwright

Envy and deep respect are in perfect harmony in Rufus Wainwright‘s touching tribute song, “Memphis Skyline.” As a longtime fan of the late singer Jeff Buckley, Wainwright penned the tune to honor Buckley’s unexpected death at a young age. Today, it serves as both a memorial song for a talented young singer and a reminder of how it feels to lose a mentor and friend.

In 1997, Jeff Buckley drowned in the Wolf River Harbor, a channel on the Mississippi River. As Wainwright explains, he had always admired Buckley’s vocals, and hoped to record a song with him one day. That day never came, as Buckley died before the completion of his second album.

“Memphis Skyline” speaks directly to Buckley’s talent and the sadness that Wainwright felt knowing that he would neither speak nor sing with Buckley again. He uses the metaphor of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” in reference to Buckley’s drowning. He also nods to Buckley’s famous cover of “Hallelujah” in the line,

“Then came hallelujah sounding like Ophelia
for me in my room living”

Like Buckley, Ophelia’s death in the play is shocking, and some also believe it is mysterious. Some theorists say that she committed suicide, while others believe Shakespeare intended for the death to be an accident.

Similarly, mystery shrouded Buckley’s drowning at the time of his death. His friends and fans wondered why he had gone swimming that day, and exactly what happened to cause his death. The mystery has since been solved. A passing tugboat caused waves to overwhelm him. However, Buckley’s tragic death still haunts those who knew and admired him.

The people who influence us most are integral to our lives. Yet it is often difficult to put our feelings into words when they die. In “Memphis Skyline,” Wainwright refers to Buckley tenderly, almost as a lover would. In this sense, the song is both a tribute to a mentor and a reflection on lost love. Whether you have lost a talented mentor, a deep friendship or a significant other, you can find at least one line in “Memphis Skyline” that will speak to you.