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Blue Suede Shoes

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Words & Music: Carl Perkins

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.

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.

You can burn my house,
Steal my car,
Drink my liquor
From an old fruitjar.

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.

Recorded: 1956/01/30, first released on Elvis Presley

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OtisBlue22 (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 13, 2010report abuse

I like the added texture provided by an acoustic guitar on the 1960 recording. Does anyone happen to know if it was Scotty or Hank who took solo duties on the re-recording?

Deano1 (profile/ contact) wrote on Mar 9, 2010report abuse

Ask 100 people who sang this song and 98 would tell you Elvis. The funny thing is that Carl Perkins reached #2 with his '56 version and Elvis only reached #20, but that only tells you part of the story. The extended play that included the Elvis version out sold most other artists' singles, his version also led off his first album and it stayed at #1 for 10 weeks. In 1960, Elvis recorded another version for his movie "G.I. Blues" that while a bit more subdued was still outstanding. The album hit #1 and stayed there for 10 weeks. In 1973, a live version appeared on yet another #1 LP "Aloha From Hawaii". It is the only Elvis song to appear on three #1 Pop LP's. Elvis' original version was much better than Carl Perkins' version as Elvis' was straight out rock and roll and Carl's was more country than rock and just lacks something.

bajo (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 13, 2009report abuse

If ever there is a definite version of Blues Suede Shoes it's Elvis' '56 version. Pure rock'n roll the way only Elvis could do it in those days. Then there's the '68 versions! The '69 and other live versions somehow becomes lightweight fillers only. Regarding the G I Blues version, I like that one also. It's almost a different song! Still, there's something about the beat on that one.

JerryNodak (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 13, 2009report abuse

The only Elvis version I like is the one on his debut album. There are tons of Elvis songs I listen to more.

Ton Bruins (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 13, 2009report abuse

Will all you fans kill when I say that I don't like this song at all ?.....maybe except for the version in the '68 comeback show..(standing up show)..No, not my song..

My boy, my boy (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 13, 2009report abuse

The 1960 version on the "GI Blues" LP is by far the best version.

JLpResLey (profile/ contact) wrote on Sep 13, 2009report abuse

amazing performace by Elvis. The studio version is obviously the best one. The live versions is rushed and not that good. However, I like the way he sang it during the comeback special.

dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Apr 14, 2009report abuse

Should be a national anthem. Amazing how one song was amazingly done by 2 artists and each has a distinctive performance. I think it is more identified with Elvis only because he was Elvis. I did not like the rushed live versions in the later years after 1969, especially the one from Aloha. At that point , Carl was performing it better than Elvis. He at least always sang a 'full' version with all the lyrics.

Lex (profile/ contact) wrote on Jan 19, 2009report abuse

Somehow Elvis managed to make this song his own, while Carl Perkins' original was already from exceptional class.