Believe it or not, shoes play an integral role in our lives. In fact, there have been hundreds of studies which center on shoes and how they represent us. For instance, did you know that ones choice in footwear can be a factor in the first impressions one makes?

Knowing this, it’s only natural that we’ve accumulated a good amount of songs about shoes in our music. Indeed, songs about shoes can be found in rock, pop, country, hip hop and rap. As such, sit back and take a look at our top ten tracks all about shoes.

10. Footloose by Kenny Loggins

“Footloose” is a song Composed by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford. Written for a film of the same name, the track came out before the flick. The heavy rotation its video received on MTV ensured that both the song and film were big hits.

The track hit number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Internationally, the track did quite well and helped to introduce Kenny Loggins vocal talents to a global audience. In fact, two years from Footloose saw Loggins record another soundtrack hit, “Danger Zone” from the film Top Gun.

9. New Shoes by Paolo Nutini

“Hey, I put some new shoes on and suddenly everything’s right” is a small sampling of the track “New Shoes” by Paolo Nutini off his debut 2005 album These Streets. This is an upbeat tune designed to lift the spirit of the listener by relating how the singer woke up feeling blah. However, when he put on his new shoes everything changed. Composed by Nutini, Matty Benbrook, and Jim Duguid, the track was released as a single in 2007 and chosen for a PUMA add campaign.

8. Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under by Shania Twain

Composed by Twain and her then husband, Mutt Lange, this 1995 track narrates the tale of a woman sick to death of her cheating man and comes off her album, The Woman in Me. The first of her singles to be certified as gold this tune is a fan favorite In fact, Twain still includes the track in her concert set lists today. The video for the song is also quite telling as it was the first time fans got to see Twain at her best via the influence of John Derek.

7. Air Force Ones by Nelly

“Air Force Ones” comes off of Nelly’s 2002 album, Nellyville. The song centers around the Nike Shoe, Air Force Ones, named for the aircraft that the U.S. President uses for air travel. An interesting fact about these shoes, is that they were the first design to utilize Nike’s Air Technology. Composed by Nelly, Ali Kyjuan and Murphy Lee and released on November 4, 2002, the track charted at number 3 on Billboards Hot 100.

6. Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon

South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo accompanies Paul Simon on this track and sings their part in Zulu. Found on Simons successful album, Graceland, this 1986 hit concerns itself with a wealthy lady and her suitors. Composed by Joseph Shabalala and Paul Simon, anyone hoping for a song with depth and political rantings regarding South Africa will be disappointed. It remains a lovely song with no other purpose but to please the listener, which is more than enough.

5. My Adidas by Run D.M.C.

“My Adidas” by Run D.M.C. is credited with bringing Adidas footwear into the forefront. You see, back in the day Adidas wasn’t the sneaker of choice, but when this song hit the airwaves the Adidas brand began to close in on brands like Reebock. Hip Hop artists Run D.M.C. also made a statement by wearing their Adidas without laces.

Due to the success of this track, clothing companies began to design apparel and accessories based on the RAP/Hip Hop lifestyle, one that still continues today. Composed by Joseph Simmons and Darryl McDaniels, this influential 1986 track reached number 5 on the Hot Black Singles charts.

4. Old Brown Shoe by the Beatles

“Old Brown Shoe” is a track written by George Harrison during his Beatle years. The song wasn’t added to any album. Instead it was the song chosen for the B-side of the 1969 single, “The Ballad of John and Yoko”. The song itself represents the duality of life. According to Harrison, “…Again, it’s the duality of things – yes no, up down, left right, right wrong, etc.” Today, this track is actually considered by fans as better than the A-side with regards to creativity and meaning.

3. Boogie Shoes by K.C. and the Sunshine Band

A simple song with a catchy hook and addictive beat, “Boogie Shoes” tells the tale of a guy looking forward to taking his girl out to the disco where they can dance until dawn. Performed by the mega-talented K.C. and the Sunshine Band, this track was composed by bassist Richard French and lead vocalist, Harry Wayne Casey. Even though it was released as a single in 1976, it wasn’t until movie goers saw it in the hit movie, Saturday Night Fever did it really take off.

2. Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley

Back in the day, suede shoes were considered a fashion statement. “Blue Suede Shoes” was composed and released in 1955 by Carl Perkins. The Perkins version was a hit reaching the number 2 spot on Billboards Hot 100.

The track was also the first country music tune to cross over into the rhythm and blues genre and reached number 3 on their charts. Elvis Presley had “Blue Suede Shoes” on his debut album, Elvis Presley. Even though the Perkins rendition hit 2 on the charts and Presley’s only 20, it’s the Presley version which is remembered.

1. These Boots are Made for Walking by Nancy Sinatra

“These Boots are Made for Walking” was a hit from 1966 performed by Nancy Sinatra, Frank’s daughter. While it was a hefty hit for the songstress, it was a song she really didn’t take to. According to Nancy, The image created by ‘Boots’ isn’t the real me.

‘Boots’ was hard and I’m as soft as they come. Composed by songwriter Lee Hazlewood, this track quickly reached number one on Billboards Hot 100 chart in 1966. Since then, the song has been covered by a variety of artists such as Jessica Simpson and rock band Megadeath.

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it. We hope you enjoyed our list of the ten best songs about shoes. Footwear will always play a large part in our lives. Whether it’s obtaining the right pair of sneakers for weekend runs or looking for that one of a kind, fine pair of heels for that special shindig, shoes will continue to captivate, influence and accessorize us. As a result, plan on having many more songs about shoes from various artists and genres in the future.

You can also read:

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• 20 Awesome Songs with Food in the Title
• 10 Awesome Forgotten Country Songs of the 90s
• The 10 Best Tears for Fears Songs of All-Time
• The 10 Best Rich Homie Quan Songs of All-Time

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