The band personnel were drummer Jerry Allison, bassist Joe B. Mauldin, and rhythm guitarist Niki Sullivan. Sullivan dropped out within less than two years of touring and recording. He wasn't comfortable with the amount of traveling and to a lesser extent, he didn't fit in with Jerry and Joe. For the same reason, Jerry and Joe were not backing Holly after he moved to NYC. The big move was the real reason why the Crickets broke up, but Holly was not daunted by the breakup; he gained a new back-up band with Tommy Allsup and Waylon Jennings on the tour shortly after the Crickets folded. But after about 4 months, due to fans' mail and the band feeling nostalgic, a reunion was planned to start with all the original Crickets after Holly's winter tour through the northern mid-west was completed. It was on that tour that Holly was killed in a plane crash.
Blue Suede Shoes
Buddy Holly & The Crickets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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 fruit jar
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
Buddy Holly’s “Blue Suede Shoes” is a classic rock and roll song that was first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. The song is a metaphor for the rebellious spirit of the 1950s youth, who were defying societal norms and breaking free from traditional restrictions. The song’s opening lines, “Well it’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now, go cat, go” encapsulate the excitement, energy, and urgency of the rock and roll scene.
Throughout the song, Holly sings about the importance of his blue suede shoes and how he doesn’t want anyone to damage them. The lyrics convey a sense of pride and individualism, as Holly asserts his own identity and asks others not to infringe upon it. He warns that he can tolerate insults to his reputation or belongings, but not to his blue suede shoes. For him, the shoes represent a symbol of his identity and freedom.
The song has become known as a classic rock and roll anthem, and is often associated with the rebellious, free-spirited nature of the 1950s youth culture. The lyrics are simple, yet effective, and the catchy melody and driving rhythm have made it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, it's one for the money
The singer is saying that the beginning of something is just the start; that the money is merely a symbol of the beginning.
Two for the show
By adding a show, the singer provided something to entertain the audience.
Three to get ready
The number three is an important part of the sequence; the singer is telling his band to get ready for what comes next.
Now go, cat, go
The singer wants the group to start moving and wants them to move now.
But don't you step on my blue suede shoes
The singer is telling someone not to damage his shoes that look nice.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
The singer is telling someone they can do whatever they want as long as his shoes are not damaged.
Well, you can knock me down
The singer is saying that he's not afraid and that he can handle being knocked down.
Step in my face
The singer is telling whoever he's speaking to that they can confront him directly…or confrontation is always an option.
Slander my name
The singer is able to handle people saying mean things about him.
All over the place
The singer has heard all of these things many times before and is asking the person confronting him to stop doing it.
Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh
The singer is letting people know that they are free to do whatever they like, but there are certain lines that they must not cross.
Honey, lay off of my shoes
The singer is basically begging whoever is confronting him to leave his shoes alone.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
The singer is telling whoever he's speaking to that they have the freedom to do just about anything except damage his beautiful blue suede shoes.
You can burn my house
The singer is challenging whoever he's talking to, daring them to light his house on fire.
Steal my car
The singer is informing whoever he's talking to that they could steal his car and he would still not be happy about them damaging his shoes.
Drink my liquor
The singer is allowing whoever he's talking to drink as much of his alcohol as they like.
From an old fruit jar
The singer is telling everyone that the alcohol will not be in a fancy or expensive container; it will be in a cheap jar.
Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh
The singer is once again reminding anyone listening that they are free to do what they want, but not to touch his shoes.
Honey, lay off of my shoes
The singer is becoming more and more serious about asking people to leave his shoes alone.
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
The singer is making a clear demand that his shoes are not to be stepped on or damaged in any way.
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
The singer is ending his song with the same message he started with: let people do whatever they want, except for damaging his beloved blue suede shoes.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carl Perkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind