The 24-year-old singer took his first steps into then world of singer-song writing in 2010, with support slots for both William Fitzsimmons and Slow Club. Adam Barnes spent a summer recording a debut E.P entitled ‘Blisters’. What was to follow would project him to the heights of mountainous ranges in the Americas, the depths of lakes in the Alps and obscurities of Supermarkets in Wycombe. With an increasing reputation of allowing any space to become a feasible area for a performance, Adam Barnes endeavours to instil his charmingly presented folk songs to as many people as possible. Having since released his debut album 'The Land, The Sea & Everything Lost Beneath' and recent E.P ' One Day We'll Be Fine', he has accumulated over 3 million plays on Spotify worldwide to date.
What was to follow would project him to the heights of mountainous ranges in the Americas, the depths of lakes in the Alps and obscurities of Supermarkets in Wycombe. With an increasing reputation of allowing any space to become a feasible area for a performance, Adam Barnes endeavours to instil his charmingly presented folk songs to as many people as possible.. before being asked to leave.
With the natural ability to capture the emotional sentiment within a song, to twist and perceive lyrics to compliment his melodies, and give you the opportunity to fall in love with well written music, at such a young age still you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking this man is telling you stories beyond his years.
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Old Shoes
Adam Barnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And soles of your feet
I've got blisters from running
On beaches and streets
I've been knocked down and out
I've got eyes black and blue
I'm hit in the face when I'm talking to you
Oh, don't lie down
As soon as I sleep, you'll be leaving this town
Oh, don't lie down
'Cause I'm lost
And I'm young
Got my mind in the clouds
And if I fall asleep
You'll be leaving this town
It's a tale of tied hands
And holiday scenes
I've got romance in places that I've never been
But I've said a hundred times
That I'm all that you need
But you swear you're just stubborn and I'm just naïve
Oh, don't lie down
As soon as I sleep you'll be leaving this town
And oh, don't lie down
'Cause I'm lost
And I'm young
Got my mind in the clouds
And if I fall asleep
You'll be leaving this town
Its a tale of old shoes
And soles of your feet
I've got blisters from running
On beaches and streets
In the absense of sound
Will you sing back to me?
Or just whisper the thoughts, and tell me to dream?
Just don't lie down
As soon as I sleep you'll be leaving this town
And oh, don't lie down
'Cause I'm lost
And I'm young
Got my mind in the clouds
And if I fall asleep
You'll be leaving this town
The song "Old Shoes" by Adam Barnes is an ode to youth and the uncertainty that comes with it, especially in the realm of love. The opening lines talk about old shoes and soles of your feet, an imagery that suggests a journey, a path taken, a life lived. The singer has blisters from running on beaches and streets, suggesting that they have been actively pursuing their dreams or perhaps love. The following lines talk about being knocked down and out, having black and blue eyes, and being hit in the face when talking to someone. These lines suggest a struggle, a fight, or a conflict that has left the singer bruised and perhaps defeated.
The chorus follows an urgent plea to not lie down, as soon as the singer sleeps, their love interest will leave the town. There is a sense of desperation in these lines, an anxiety that comes with the uncertainty of whether or not the love interest will stay. The second verse talks about tied hands and holiday scenes, suggesting a longing for travel and adventure, perhaps with the love interest. The singer declares that they are all that the love interest needs but the love interest insists they are just stubborn while the singer is naive. The song ends with the singer asking the love interest to not lie down, but to sing back to them or whisper their thoughts and tell them to dream. It suggests that the singer is not ready to give up on their love just yet and is willing to listen and understand.
Line by Line Meaning
Its a tale of old shoes
This is a story about a pair of old shoes, and how they can tell a story.
And soles of your feet
The soles of your feet are important, as they carry you through life and all of its adventures.
I've got blisters from running
Running on beaches and streets has caused me pain and left physical marks.
On beaches and streets
The places where I have run and experienced life.
I've been knocked down and out
I've experienced failure and defeat.
I've got eyes black and blue
Physical signs of the struggles I have experienced.
I'm hit in the face when I'm talking to you
Even in conversation, I am still dealing with struggles and challenges.
Oh, don't lie down
Don't give up or give in to despair.
As soon as I sleep, you'll be leaving this town
If I relax or let my guard down, I will miss out on opportunities or lose people important to me.
'Cause I'm lost
And I'm young
Got my mind in the clouds
And if I fall asleep
You'll be leaving this town
I am still figuring out who I am and navigating the world, and if I am not careful, I will miss out on important moments or relationships.
It's a tale of tied hands
And holiday scenes
Restrictions and limitations, set against a backdrop of festive occasions.
I've got romance in places that I've never been
I am hopeful and imaginative, even in the midst of uncertainty.
But I've said a hundred times
That I'm all that you need
I am confident in my worth and value, even if others are not.
But you swear you're just stubborn and I'm just naïve
There is conflict and disagreement in our relationships, fueled by differing perspectives and attitudes.
In the absense of sound
Will you sing back to me?
Or just whisper the thoughts, and tell me to dream?
When things are quiet and there is room for reflection, will you be honest with me and help me grow, or will you hold back and leave me with vague platitudes?
Just don't lie down
As soon as I sleep you'll be leaving this town
Once again, the warning against complacency and missed opportunities.
Contributed by Nora N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ella-Louise Taylor
My fave song by you👌supported you for a while and when Zoe used this song in her video I literally screamed😁Love you❤️
Sophie Watkins
You have a beautiful voice, found this by accident, and I'm so glad I did😊
Cæcilie Krickau
Love everything about this song!
Michelle
All your songs are amazing and sweet and witty! I love them!
Emma Kazal
You are so talented, I love all your music. Don't ever get discouraged, you're too good NOT to get noticed.
jana me
i love your voice ! i heard you singing in the Supermarket and since then i searched for you song :D now i found it and am a fan of your voice ! you r so talented ! :)
Freya Wilkinson
This song is perfect 💕
Suunik
Amazing song, but more important amazing voice. I think you will get big one day! Keep up the great work, loved every second of it.
Celine Dimzon
Such incredible music
Gsmurf Murfin
i love this song it is my favourite song of all time