Blue Suede Shoes
Carl Perkins   Lyrics

Well it's one for the money, two for the show
The song performer, Carl Perkins, starts out saying that its worth one dollar to see him perform, but it's even more spectacular when the show is in high gear

Three to get ready, now go cat go
The anticipation builds as Perkins calls out for the band to get ready for the next part of the song, and to start playing again immediately

But don't you, step on my blue suede shoes
Despite the excitement in the previous lyrics, Perkins sets a boundary - the audience can do anything they want except harm his prized blue suede shoes

You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Perkins repeats the importance of not touching his shoes, and that everything else is fair game.

But you can knock me down, step in my face
Perkins acknowledges that people can be aggressive towards him and try to make him stumble

Slander my name all over the place
Additionally, Perkins notes that people can spread lies about him and try to harm his reputation in any way they want.

And do anything that you want to do
Despite the potential harm to his person and reputation, Perkins reiterates that the audience can go crazy with their excitement if they want

But uh uh honey lay off of my shoes
Once again, Perkins reiterates the boundary of his shoes-- they are not to be touched.

And don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Perkins needs to make this clear again- don't step on the shoes.

Oh let's go cat!
Perkins encourages the band to keep playing and the audience to keep rocking out

But you can burn my house, steal my car
Perkins continues to list out all the terrible things that can happen to him except touch his shoes

Drink my liquor from an old fruit jar
He gets more specific, saying that people can even drink his liquor, but please stay away from his shoes.

Do anything that you want to do
Once again, Perkins encourages people to have a good time and have their own fun!

But uh uh honey lay off of them shoes
The boundary of no blue suede shoe contact is repeated another time

And don't you, step on my blue suede shoes
Perkins feels the need to make the no-shoes boundary clear one more time

Rock!
Perkins and the band encourage the audience to rock out some more

Well it's blue, blue, blue suede shoes
Perkins repeats the phrase that has become the center of the song- blue suede shoes

Blue, blue, blue suede shoes yeah
He adds some enthusiasm as he repeats the phrase yet again

Blue, blue, blue suede shoes baby
More enthusiasm, as perkins calls out directly to people wearing blue suede

Blue, blue, blue suede shoes
Once again, Perkins repeats the phrase and his plea to keep the shoes safe.

You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
Finally, as the song comes to a close, Perkins restates the boundary one last time: everything else is fair game except the shoes.