The Shoe Must Go On!
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You know how these things get started. Someone asks if you've ever noticed how many songs there are about shoes, and you think, "Hmmm. Someone has a fetish." And then you think, "Wait a minute. She's right."
So I was mulling over the usual suspects. There's Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'." (Talk about fetishes. And they'll walk all over who?) You've got "High-Heel Sneakers," covered by a few notables, including the Beatles. (What's a "wig-hat" anyway?) And, to stretch a point, I'd include "Get on the Good Foot" by Soul Brother #1, James Brown.
On the more obscure tip, I know of the Patrick Macnee-Honor Blackman number "Kinky Boots," a tone-deaf sing-song novelty that was originally released in the U.K. in 1963 to cash in on the performers' popularity as stars of the delightfully wild and cheeky TV spy series "The Avengers." The single failed to make much of a splash, although it was re-released in 1990, and actually reached #5 on the British pop charts. Bad taste is timeless.
I don't wanna put my foot in it, if you know what I mean, but my favorite shoe-oriented song is "Bad Sneakers" by America's cleverest pop-rock-jazz-soul hitmakers Steely Dan - taken from the group's wonderful 1975 album Katy Lied. (The bridge is too gorgeous.) Of course, I came up with that off the top of my head. The soles of my feet might have another choice. Sole music, anybody?
The original studio version of "Bad Sneakers" streams at the top of the post. A live version from the Steely Dan tour in 2000 is available south of here, courtesy of YouTube. Hope you get a kick out of both.
And if you wanna dip your toe into this, feel free. They say there's no business like shoe business.
Locating MOG account...
Comments (35)
Good post mate, I love SD's vibe, its Jazz with Sole for sure! I recently saw a peformance of his on Public TV and it was just as good as ever.. even betta! For a bit more recent confirmatoin of that shoe fetish phenomenon lives on ck out the Morning Benders and Paolo Nutini's songs here, btw, it takes one to know one,, and I am pointing no fingers.. as me and my mate have heaps of shoes in a closet that seems to be growing exponentially!
Used to listen to this song endlessly with I was a kid.
Ha! Nice one Mikey!!! How 'bout The Presidents of THe USA's "Puffy Little Shoes"? Ignore the spores please...
Indy: Thanks. But no go on the clips you chose. Repost?
Jules09: It's a beauty!
scot: Not bad, man. Not bad at all!
I think feet are the ugliest part of the human body, so I try not to think of songs about shoes too much. XD (though, evidently, they HIDE feet, so actually they are my best friend). Either way, can't help you with more songs about shoes. XD
SA: S'okay. I don't think help is needed. Unless someone is so obsessed with feet and shoes that, well, you know...
Indy: That's more like it!
gotta throw some punk into this mix, a song about my own favorite footwear
Ya know, for a shoegeezer, I couldn't find too many more, but here is my meager contribution:
Canadian rock icon and general party idiot, Kim Mitchell with his band Max Webster on their reunion tour doig High Class in Borrowed Shoes.
High class indeed.
Dont forget the recently disbanded Barenaked Ladies' "Shoebox" I couldnt find an emedable video but heler's a link:
http://www.clevver.com/music/video/23358/barenaked-ladies-shoe-box.html
OMG Shoes. . . .
Well, I might be treading on Anna's toes by suggesting this pair, and with probably be brought to heel over it later in this thread, but I just hope she has the soul to forgive me...
Fasted7: Awesome band! Fondly remembered...
inrumford: Little Feat! (Isn't that the magnificent Inara George's daddy on guitar and vocals? Hee hee.) The Captain! (And I don't mean Kangaroo.) Two of the best of the best!
contrabandwidth: A "Young Ones" sandwich? Never expected that. But Elvis and S.Y. ain't no white bread choices. They're healthy, whole-grain rock goodness!
dmdm: Oh, sure. Knock me down. Stomp on my face. (I've never felt more in tune with Mr. Perkins - or Mr. Presley.)
Rawk: That's some tuff gear, man!
Dale: One slips on beautifully; the other is as garish as a pair of fluorescent trainers.
capndad: Luxury accessories are always welcome at MOG!
trend: Good one! (But how could they abandon us?)
August: Should I surmise that the shoe is now on the other foot? (I so want to give Kelly - and Liam - the boot.)
Joxley: Anna may clomp around in fury over your sarcasm-laced trip. But just put up your feet and kick back, while the rest of us shoe our appreciation for those clips with an impromptu quick-step.
Couldn't find a link to it but Elvin Bishop's Travelin' Shoes was a fun tune.
Carl Perkins Had to be represented.
JOXY STOLE TWO OF MINE! Remember that I now live close to you and I can easily come where you are and unfold my wrath!
:P
Music and shoes. Where one fetish meets another. I'm all hot and bothered. Excellently done, Mike!
Shellac - Shoe Song
Well done Mike, seems shoes are a fetish quite a few of us share on MOG
I also wanted to post Shoelaces by the punk band Digger, but couldn't find any media for it, but its out there, traveling somewhere...
Most definitely it's on the other foot! And Kelly's 'Shoes' could fit in a toxic Tuesday post perfectly.
Fasted7: It's the thought that counts!
dmdm: Contractually!
Anna: You were a shoe-in to drop by and express your ire Jox-ward.
madrid: That Shellac is a dark toned shade - and stomps like a pair of Doc Martens. Haven't heard the Digger track, but I may go shopping for "Shoelaces."
August: A toxic two-fer!
Not quite on point, but I think Fats Waller's "Your Feets Are Too Big" should be tossed into the mix. Great posts from everybody.
Bob: It's always a good time for Fats.
inrumford: The hits keep coming! (Call a podiatrist!)
Man Mike- you took on the theme, expanded on it and the people really ran with it. Good on ya
MusicRX: Thanks for the kind words. Now, let the other shoe drop!
Love it. I'll have to dig up another one. Get On Your Boots!
Damn! How could I have spaced on the new U2 track? Here it is on a silver platter, live at the Brit Awards.
Perfect addition to the list!
They've been a blast on Letterman's show all week. They've even done a couple of funny bits, too.