About the song
Background on “Those Shoes” by the Eagles
- Release: “Those Shoes” appeared on the Eagles’ 1979 album, The Long Run. This was the first album featuring bassist Timothy B. Schmit and the last full studio album with guitarist Don Felder before his departure in 2001.
- Inspiration: Don Felder, the song’s writer, cited his love of jazz and fellow Eagle Joe Walsh’s musical style as influences. Felder aimed for a minimalist approach, drawing inspiration from Miles Davis’ ability to convey emotion with just a few notes [ultimateclassicrock.com]. The song also prominently features the “talk box” effect, a technique Walsh employed on other Eagles tracks.
Themes in “Those Shoes”
- The power of simplicity: The song’s jazz influence and focus on a catchy melody with sparse lyrics suggest a theme of finding beauty and emotion in the basic elements of music.
- Nostalgia: The lyrics evoke a sense of looking back on the past, with references to simpler times and “worn out blue jeans.”
- The passage of time: The title “Those Shoes” itself hints at something left behind, perhaps a symbol of a bygone era or a younger self.
- Open interpretation: The song’s lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, allowing listeners to project their own meanings onto the imagery and themes.
Video
Lyrics
Tell us what you’re gonna do tonight mama
There must be someplace you can go In the middle of the tall drinks and the drama There must be someone you know God knows you’re lookin’ good enough But you’re so smooth and the world’s so rough You might have somethin’ to lose Oh, no pretty mama What you gonna do in those shoes? Got those pretty little straps around your ankles Got those shiny little chains around your heart You got to have your independence But you don’t know just where to start Desperation in the singles bars All those jerkoffs in their fancy cars You can’t believe your reviews Oh, no you can’t do that Once you started wearin’ those shoes (butt out) (butt out) (butt out) (butt out) (butt out butt out) They’re lookin’ at you leanin’ on you (butt out butt out) Tell you anything you want to hear (butt out butt out) They give you tablets of love (butt out butt out) (butt out butt out) They’re waiting for you got to score you (butt out butt out) Handy with a shovel and so sincere (butt out butt out) Ooh… they got the kid glove (butt out butt out) You just want someone to talk to They just wanna to get their hands on you You get whatever you choose Oh, no you can’t do that Once you started wearin’ those shoes Oh, no you can’t do that Once you started wearin’ those shoes (butt out butt out) Umm (butt out butt out) Shoot (butt out butt out) (butt out butt out) Whoa-whoa (butt out butt out) (butt out butt out) (butt out butt out) (butt out)