Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley – 1956

About The Song

“Blue Suede Shoes” is a classic rock and roll song famously performed by Elvis Presley in 1956. The song, written and originally recorded by Carl Perkins, became a major hit for Presley and is renowned for its energetic rhythm, memorable lyrics, and the iconic line cautioning against stepping on the singer’s blue suede shoes.

Five Facts:

1. Carl Perkins Original: “Blue Suede Shoes” was written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. Perkins, a rockabilly artist, had his own success with the song, but Elvis Presley’s cover in 1956 became the more widely recognized and enduring version.
2. Elvis Presley’s Cover: Elvis Presley recorded “Blue Suede Shoes” at Sun Studio in Memphis on January 30, 1956. His rendition featured a more polished and energetic sound, and it was released as a single later that year. Elvis’ version became a significant hit and helped propel him to even greater fame.
3. Chart Success: Elvis Presley’s cover of “Blue Suede Shoes” reached the number 20 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While not as high as some of his other hits, the song’s cultural impact and association with Presley’s early career make it an essential part of rock and roll history.
4. Cultural Catchphrase: The song’s lyrics include the famous line “Don’t step on my blue suede shoes.” This phrase became a cultural catchphrase, reflecting the importance people placed on their personal possessions and individuality during the youth culture explosion of the 1950s.
5. Influence on Rock and Roll: “Blue Suede Shoes” is often considered one of the definitive rock and roll songs. Its infectious rhythm, memorable lyrics, and association with Elvis Presley helped shape the emerging genre and contributed to the cultural phenomenon of rock and roll in the mid-20th century.

Video

Lyrics

Well, it’s one for the money two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go

But don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
Well you can do anything but
Lay off of my blue suede shoes

Well, you can knock me down, step in my face
Slander my name all over the place
Do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh honey, lay off of my shoes

Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Now let’s go cats (oh walk the dogs)

You can burn my house, steal my car
Drink my liquor from an old fruit-jar
Do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh baby, lay off of my shoes

Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Rock it

Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go

But don’t you step on my blue suede shoes
Well you can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Go cat uh

Blue, blue suede shoes oh baby
Blue, blue suede shoes uh ha
Blue, blue suede shoes oh baby
Blue, blue suede shoes
You do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes