Introduction
Ronnie Dunn’s rendition of “That’s How I Got to Memphis” forms part of his solo cover‑album project, Re‑Dunn, released on January 10, 2020 . Originally written and first recorded by Tom T. Hall in 1969 for his album Ballad of Forty Dollars & His Other Great Songs, the song narrates the heartfelt journey of a man traveling to Memphis to find a lost love whose absence haunts him .
Tom T. Hall’s version, though not released as a single, has since become an American country music standard and has been widely covered over the decades . Among the most notable earlier renditions are Bobby Bare’s 1970 version—titled “How I Got to Memphis”—which reached #3 on the Hot Country Songs chart and spent 16 weeks there , and Deryl Dodd’s 1996 interpretation, which earned acclaim and charted at #36 in early 1997 . Dodd’s interpretation, described as “impassioned” by critics, clearly influenced Dunn’s take .
For Re‑Dunn, Dunn selected “That’s How I Got to Memphis” alongside tracks that shaped his musical identity. He described the album as a “passion project,” balancing country and rock classics that he wanted to reimagine in his voice . Dunn has said he wasn’t trying to outdo the originals, but instead wanted to offer his own emotional take on songs that have lived with him for years .
Dunn’s recording emerges as a heartfelt homage—anchored in traditional country storytelling, but offered through his distinct vocal style and interpretation. By revisiting Hall’s narrative through his own lens, Dunn connects listeners to the timeless emotional core of a man compelled by love and memory—and reminds us why Tom T. Hall’s songwriting continues to resonate across generations.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
If you love somebody enough
You follow wherever they go
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Verse 2]
If you love somebody enough
You go where your heart wants to go
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Chorus]
I know if you’d seen her
You’d tell me ’cause you are my friend
Well, I’ve got to find her
And find out the trouble she’s in
[Verse 3]
You tell me that she’s not here
I’ll just follow the trail of her tears
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Instrumental Break]
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[Verse 4]
She’d get mad and she used to say
She’d come back to Memphis someday
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Verse 5]
Well, I haven’t eaten a bite
Or slept in three days and nights
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Chorus]
Yeah, well, I’ve got to find her
And tell her that I love her so
Yeah, I’ll never rest
‘Til I find out why she had to go
[Verse 6]
Thank you for your precious time
Forgive me if I start to cry
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis
[Outro]
That’s how I got to Memphis
That’s how I got to Memphis