Carl Perkins – Blue Suede Shoes

About The Song

“Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins, released in 1956, is a classic rock and roll song that became a symbol of the emerging youth culture in the 1950s. Recognized for its catchy guitar riff and energetic performance, the song is not only a hit for Perkins but also a significant influence on the rock and roll genre.

5 Facts about “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956):

Innovative Guitar Riff: “Blue Suede Shoes” is celebrated for its innovative guitar riff played by Carl Perkins. The distinctive opening riff became one of the most recognizable in rock and roll history, influencing countless musicians in the years that followed.
Songwriting Inspiration: Carl Perkins was inspired to write “Blue Suede Shoes” after overhearing a dancer at a concert warn his date not to step on his blue suede shoes. The incident sparked the idea for the song’s lyrics, which warn against messing with someone’s prized possessions.
Sun Records Session: Perkins recorded “Blue Suede Shoes” at Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, under the guidance of legendary producer Sam Phillips. The recording session featured Perkins on vocals and guitar, along with musicians like Jerry Lee Lewis on piano and Elvis Presley’s drummer, D.J. Fontana.
Commercial Success: “Blue Suede Shoes” became a major hit for Carl Perkins, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Country and Western chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1956. The song’s crossover success helped establish Perkins as a significant figure in the rock and roll genre.
Covered by Elvis Presley: Elvis Presley, recognizing the song’s appeal, covered “Blue Suede Shoes” and released his version shortly after Perkins. While Elvis’s cover also became a hit, Carl Perkins’s original recording remains highly regarded for its authenticity, guitar work, and contribution to the early rock and roll sound.

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
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
And do anything that you wanna 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

Oh, let’s go cat

But you can burn my house, steal my car
Drink my liquor from an old fruit-jar
Do anything that you wanna do
But uh-uh honey, lay off of them shoes

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

Rock!

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
You can do anything
But lay off of my blue suede shoes

Oh, let’s blue blue, blue suede shoes
Blue, blue, blue suede shoes, yeah
Blue, blue, blue suede shoes, baby
Blue, blue, blue suede shoes

You can do anything
But lay off of my blue suede shoes