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Walk a Mile in My Shoes

Rating:
4.4 / 5

Words & Music: Joe South

If I could be you, if you could be me
For just one hour, if we could find a way
To get inside each other's mind
If you could see you through my eyes
Instead your own ego I believe you'd be
I believe you'd be surprised to see
That you've been blind

Walk a mile in my shoes
just walk a mile in my shoes
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse
Then walk a mile in my shoes

Now if we spend the day
Throwin' stones at one another
'Cause I don't think, 'cause I don't think
Or wear my hair the same way you do
Well, I may be common people
But I'm your brother
And when you strike out
You're tryin' to hurt me
It's hurtin' you, Lord how mercy

Now there are people on reservations
And out in the ghetto
And brother there, but, for the grace of God
Go you and I,
If I only had wings of a little angel
Don't you know, I'd fly
To the top of a mountain
And then I'd cry, cry, cry

Recordingdate: 1970/02/19, first released on: On Stage (album)

Musicians

Musicians who contributed to the first recording of Walk a Mile in My Shoes:

(guitar)
(guitar)
(guitar)
(bass)
(drums)
(piano)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)

Others*

(baton)
(guitar)
(drums)
(organ)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(vocals)
(bells)
(chimes)
(tambourine)
(tympani)
(vibes)
(clarinet)
(clarinet)
(clarinet)
(clarinet)
(flute)
(flute)
(flute)
(flute)
(french horn)
(sax)
(sax)
(sax)
(sax)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trombone)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(trumpet)
(cello)
(cello)
(viola)
(viola)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)
(violin)

*Orchestra, overdubs

Availability

Find available albums with Walk a Mile in My Shoes.

JerryNodak wrote on September 21, 2008
I like the "On Stage" xersion. Otherwise, forget it.
JLpResLey wrote on September 27, 2008
Perhaps it was not among the best that he had sung, but it´s always been one of my favorites. In general, this was a song that was very popular among his fans. It still is. I don´t think that is because Elvis delivers a fantastic vocal performance. Cause he didn´t. It´s because what the song says and stands for that had made it so popular.
GEORGE (GK) wrote on September 27, 2008
This song, was written and performed, originally by Joe South. And he did a great version of the song. As pointed out, this song, has great lyrics, and I agree that Elvis could have sung it better. Maybe, if Elvis had recorded this in the studio, around the time of the "American studio-Memphis sessions", he would have put in a better performance.
Volker Stockel wrote on September 27, 2008
Great song, great lyrics, great sound and great voice. I don`t understand people saying something diferent to this one. I watched hat video to this song at that graceland cinema, wow great.
Wiebe wrote on January 30, 2009
Elvis's vocal performance was never better than in february 1970. The fullest sound. So I don't know how anyone could question his vocal performance or delivery of the song. The only weak point could be the drummer. But Elvis's timing is great. A great Soul performance!
Rob Wanders wrote on January 30, 2009
great song with great lyrics.
Steve V wrote on January 30, 2009
I always liked this song and was happy that Elvis sang it live. I do prefer Joe South's studio version which is taken at a slower pace and includes an extra verse. I think this would have been a perfect studio song for Elvis as other Joe South songs would have been.
Deano1 wrote on May 24, 2010
A solid and enjoyable live track with a good message recorded in Vegas in Feb 1970. This song has a lot in common with the songs "Change of Habit" and "Clean Up Your Own Backyard" in lyrical content and the overall message and of the three, this one is my least favorite. Still, I love watching Elvis perform it and it is good on record, but it doesn't blow me away. I am glad Elvis deleted the second verse from Joe South's original song as I don't care for the wording of it. Joe did a good job, but vocally Elvis was superior to Joe. 4 stars.
dgirl wrote on May 24, 2010
Good song in vogue with the times. Elvis did do some 'message' songs at this point in his career which I think was a good move musically to show he was a bit aware of the current times. I wish ELvis would have done South's Dont It Make You Want To Go Home' in the studio. You can hear him fool around with it a bit on the 1970 rehearsals. Would have suited him perfectly.
Deke Rivers 6 wrote on May 24, 2010
Love this song & only by Elvis.Good album "On Stage"
bajo wrote on May 25, 2010
I think this is a great rendition of the Joe South classic. It's a pity Elvis didn't do more Joe South and Tony Joe White stuff. You're The Reason I Don't Sleep At Night would have suited Elvis like a glove!
Marty_TCE wrote on May 25, 2010
Superbly delivered, Elvis is in fine voice 'On Stage' in 1970. Probably one of my favourite live tracks.
Lpool kid wrote on October 07, 2011
great,great song.elvis sang a very good live version.it would have been interesting to hear a very committed studio version with perhaps the missing verse and another without.4 stars.
TCB1974 wrote on October 07, 2011
Good message song like several others during this period. I like the performance with the 'Men with broken hearts' poem preceding the song. Strong performance but not a song that allows Elvis to show his ultimate showman capabilities like Suspicious minds or Polk salad Annie. Four stars from me.
freedom101 wrote on October 07, 2011
I prefer Elvis' live version over Joe South's studio version because he's "The King".
sugartummy wrote on May 26, 2013
Joe South didn't like Elvis' version. He thought it lacked commitment to the song. Well, Elvis laughs in the song, so that's maybe what bothered South. I like Elvis' version, as I like South's version.
Jerome wrote on December 08, 2013
There is version for kilometers as well. "Walk A kilometer in my shoes"...
ElvisSacramento wrote on December 08, 2013
This is such a beautiful song with amazing lyrics. Elvis' rendition of it was terrific, but Joe South's rendition of it is superior in my opinion. Joe South's rendition had full commitment to the song and it included an extra verse too.
Cruiser621 wrote on November 01, 2016
His best live song, period. Nothing comes close.
Gorse wrote on November 23, 2020
After all these years, the appreciation of this song has somewhat passed me by. Never on any of my playlists, I have just listened to it, and it appears I should have a massive rethink as it is a really great track - 4 stars.
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