Blue Suede Shoes
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- For other uses of Blue Suede Shoes, see Blue Suede Shoes (disambiguation).
| "Blue Suede Shoes" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Carl Perkins | ||
| B-side(s) | Honey, Don't! | |
| Released | January 21, 1956 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | November 1955 | |
| Genre | Rock and roll | |
| Length | 2:14 | |
| Label | Sun Records | |
| Writer(s) | Carl Perkins | |
| Producer(s) | Sam Phillips | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Carl Perkins singles chronology | ||
| "Gone, Gone, Gone" 1955 |
"Blue Suede Shoes" (1956) |
"Tennessee" (1956) |
| "Blue Suede Shoes" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
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| Single by Elvis Presley | ||
| from the album Elvis Presley | ||
| B-side(s) | "Tutti Frutti" | |
| Released | September 8, 1956 | |
| Format | 7" single | |
| Recorded | January 30, 1956 | |
| Genre | Rock and roll | |
| Length | 1:58 | |
| Label | RCA Records | |
| Writer(s) | Carl Perkins | |
| Producer(s) | Steve Sholes | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Elvis Presley singles chronology | ||
| "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" (1955) |
"Blue Suede Shoes" (1956) |
"I'm Counting on You" (1956) |
"Blue Suede Shoes" is a rock and roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. It is considered one of the first rockabilly (rock and roll) records and incorporated elements of blues, country and pop music of the time. It was the first song to top the U.S. country, rhythm and blues and pop music charts.
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[edit] Origins
Johnny Cash suggested the idea to Perkins based on an experience in the United States Air Force. In his autobiography, Cash explains how he came to meet airman C.V. White, who after getting dressed up to go out told him "just don't step on my blue suede shoes!" (despite wearing standard black shoes).
The song was written during a trip to Amory, Mississippi.
The first few lines of the song are based on a classic children's rhyme: "One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready". Producer Sam Phillips suggested that Perkins's line "go boy go" be changed to "go cat go".
In 1953, Bill Haley wrote and recorded a song called "Watcha Gonna Do" that is a probable influence on "Blue Suede Shoes". The Haley song begins with the catch phrase "One for the money/Two for the show/Three to get ready/Here I go" and also is very similar in melody and arrangement to the later "Blue Suede Shoes". The phrase "One for the money..." had been used in previous rhythm and blues recordings as well, including 1950's "Rock Around the Clock" by Hal Singer (which is not to be confused with Haley's song of the same name).
Elvis Presley recorded his version of this song in 1956, waiting until his friend Perkins' version had left the charts. The song and the image of blue suede shoes are often related to Presley although his version did not reach number 1 and the Perkins version did. Both Perkins and Presley started at Sun Records under Phillips, but Presley recorded the song in 1956 after his Sun contract was purchased by RCA Victor. Presley's version was recorded at the RCA studios in New York. It was performed with Presley providing vocals and rhythm guitar, Scotty Moore on lead guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums.
[edit] Legacy
"Blue Suede Shoes" was chosen as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The song has often been called "Rock 'n Roll's National Anthem."
In 2004, Perkins' version was ranked number 95 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. It is his only song on that list. Presley's recording of the song was also on the list at number 423.
In 1999, National Public Radio included "Blue Suede Shoes" in the "NPR 100," in which NPR's music editors sought to compile the one hundred most important American musical works of the 20th century.
[edit] Selected list of recorded versions
The song is a rock and roll standard and has been performed and recorded by many artists, including:
- 1955 Carl Perkins, US #1
- Buddy Holly as recorded on the Buddy Holly Story compilation.
- 1956 Elvis Presley
- 1958 Cliff Richard
- The Beatles
- 1969 Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys in the rock and roll medley Good Old Rock & Roll
- Count von Count on Sesame Street
- Jimi Hendrix
- Johnny Rivers
- Bill Haley & His Comets
- Lemmy and The Upsetters with Mick Green
- Black Sabbath
- Brian Setzer
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- The Toy Dolls
- Helloween
[edit] Cultural references
- Marc Cohn makes a reference to "Blue Suede Shoes" in his song "Walking in Memphis".
- Chuck Berry mentions "Blue Suede Shoes" in his song "Roll Over Beethoven" in the lines: "Early in the mornin'/I'm a'givin you the warnin'/Don't you step on my blue suede shoes." "Roll Over Beethoven" has been covered by many other artists including the Beatles.
- Buddy Holly's recording "Rock Around With Ollie Vee" contains the lyric "Ollie Vee says she's gonna do me right tonight / I'm gonna wear my blue suede shoes tonight."
- Blue Suede Shoes is also the title of a 1980 documentary film about the British rockabilly scene.
- The Nintendo DS game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney makes a reference to the song, in a sequence where the character mistakenly refers to Detective Gumshoe as "Detective Suedeshoes".
