About the song
Released in 1979 as part of their album The Long Run, “Those Shoes” by the legendary rock band Eagles is a poignant ballad that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the enduring power of hope. The song’s melancholic tone and introspective lyrics have resonated with listeners for decades, making it a timeless classic in the Eagles’ extensive discography.
Don Henley, the band’s lead vocalist, takes center stage on “Those Shoes”, delivering a heartfelt performance that captures the raw emotions of the song’s narrative. His voice, imbued with both vulnerability and strength, perfectly conveys the protagonist’s inner turmoil as they grapple with the aftermath of a lost love.
The opening lines of the song, “Tell us what you’re gonna do tonight to mama,” immediately set the scene, hinting at a woman facing a difficult decision in the wake of a heartbreak. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a woman at a crossroads, unsure of her future and seeking solace in the company of others.
As the song progresses, the protagonist’s thoughts turn to the person they’ve lost, their memories conjured up by the sight of a pair of shoes. The shoes, once a symbol of their shared love, now serve as a painful reminder of what they’ve lost.
The chorus of “Those Shoes” is a poignant declaration of the protagonist’s determination to move on, despite the lingering pain of their loss. The line, “You get whatever you choose,” echoes with a sense of empowerment, suggesting that the protagonist is reclaiming their agency and taking control of their own destiny.
The bridge of the song takes a more introspective turn, as the protagonist reflects on the mistakes they’ve made and the lessons they’ve learned. The line, “You might have something to lose,” serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of our actions, while the line, “Oh no, pretty mama, what you gonna do in those shoes?,” underscores the vulnerability and uncertainty that come with facing the future alone.
The song’s final verse offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that the protagonist may find love again. The line, “You get whatever you choose,” is repeated, this time with a more optimistic tone, implying that the protagonist has the power to shape their own happiness.
“Those Shoes” concludes with a fade-out, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of contemplation. The song’s melancholic beauty and heartfelt lyrics have cemented its place as a beloved classic, a testament to the Eagles’ enduring legacy as one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Video
Lyrics
Tell us what you’re gonna do tonight mamaThere must be someplace you can goIn the middle of the tall drinks and the dramaThere must be someone you knowGod knows you’re lookin’ good enoughBut you’re so smooth and the world’s so roughYou might have somethin’ to loseOh, no pretty mamaWhat you gonna do in those shoes?Got those pretty little straps around your anklesGot those shiny little chains around your heartYou got to have your independenceBut you don’t know just where to startDesperation in the singles barsAll those jerkoffs in their fancy carsYou can’t believe your reviewsOh, no you can’t do thatOnce 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 toThey just wanna to get their hands on youYou get whatever you chooseOh, no you can’t do thatOnce you started wearin’ those shoesOh, no you can’t do thatOnce 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)