Jones sings of the irreplacibility of country music legends including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Roy Acuff, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, and Lefty Frizzell. After remarking about these singers' impacts on country music, he wonders who will replace them when they're gone.
Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes
George Jones Lyrics
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But just a few are chosen
To tear your heart out when they sing
Imagine life without 'em
All your radio heroes
Like the outlaw that walks through Jessi's dreams
No, there'll never be another
A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues
The Okie from Muskogee
Or Hello, Darling
Lord, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
Who's gonna fill their shoes?
Who's gonna stand that tall?
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball?
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you?
Lord, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
God bless the boys from Memphis
Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis
Much too soon he left this world in tears
They tore up the Fifties
Old Jerry Lee and Charlie
And Go Cat Go still echoes through the years
You know the heart of country music
Still beats in Luke the Drifter
You can tell it when he sang "I Saw the Light"
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty
Why, I can feel 'em right here with me
On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night
Who's gonna fill their shoes?
Who's gonna stand that tall?
Who's gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball?
Who's gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you?
Lord, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
Yes, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
The song "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" by George Jones is a tribute to past country music legends who have left an indelible impact on the genre. The song speaks of the passing of time and the inevitability of change. Jones acknowledges the many singers who have come before him and laments who will take their place as they depart from the music scene. He names some of the greats like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Hank Williams who will never be replaced as no one would be able to match their talent and impact.
The song speaks of the significance of these iconic figures in country music, who were chosen to make a profound impact on society. These singers could "tear your heart out" with their songs and create a connection with their listeners. The song questions, "who's gonna stand that tall?" referring to the immense shoes that need to be filled in the music industry. With the passing of these legends, their music becomes more important than ever, and the question of who is going to provide the same or even more profound impact looms.
The track acknowledges some of the fierce competition from previous generations such as Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee and Charlie, and Luke the Drifter. The song creates a sense of recognition for these legends and pays tribute to their contributions. Finally, the song reinforces the idea of the continuity of music and reflects how the future generation will carry the torch and keep country music alive.
Line by Line Meaning
You know this old world is full of singers
The world is filled with many singers.
But just a few are chosen
But only a few are truly exceptional.
To tear your heart out when they sing
To move you deeply with their singing.
Imagine life without 'em
Think of a life without these exceptional singers.
All your radio heroes
All the great singers from the past.
Like the outlaw that walks through Jessi's dreams
Such as the outlaw that Jessi dreams about.
No, there'll never be another Red Headed Stranger
There will never be another singer like Willie Nelson.
A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues
There will never be another singer like Johnny Cash and his iconic song 'Folsom Prison Blues'.
The Okie from Muskogee
There will never be another singer like Merle Haggard and his famous song 'Okie from Muskogee'.
Or Hello, Darling
There will never be another singer like Conway Twitty and his famous song 'Hello, Darling'.
Lord, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
I wonder who will be the next great country singer to follow in their footsteps.
Who's gonna fill their shoes?
Who will be able to match the greatness of these past singers?
Who's gonna stand that tall?
Who will be able to reach that level of greatness?
Who's gonna play the Opry and the Wabash Cannonball?
Who will perform at the Grand Ole Opry and sing songs like 'Wabash Cannonball'?
Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you?
Who will put their all into their music to reach their audience?
God bless the boys from Memphis
Bless the great musicians from Memphis.
Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis
Like Elvis and his famous song 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
Much too soon he left this world in tears
Elvis left the world too soon, with many mourners.
They tore up the Fifties
These musicians made a huge impact in the 1950s.
Old Jerry Lee and Charlie
Musicians like Jerry Lee Lewis and Charlie Rich.
And Go Cat Go still echoes through the years
Their music still resonates to this day.
You know the heart of country music still beats in Luke the Drifter
The essence of country music can still be found in artists like Hank Williams (Luke the Drifter).
You can tell it when he sang 'I Saw the Light'
You can hear the soul of country music in songs like 'I Saw the Light'.
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty
Legendary country artists like Marty Robbins, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell.
Why, I can feel 'em right here with me
Their spirit lives on and can still be felt today.
On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night
As I travel through the night on this tour bus.
Yes, I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
I still wonder who will be the next great country artist to fill the shoes of the legends that have come before.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Max Barnes, Troy Seals
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NicanderatBOTB
This song hits harder when you realize that the red-headed stranger is the only one left.
RIP Jerry Lee
RIP Roy
RIP Man in Black
RIP Carl
RIP George
RIP Elvis
RIP Charley
RIP Waylon
RIP Hank
RIP Merle
RIP Conway
and many more.
So sad we lost these legends.
@nght_pevet071
When you’re happy you enjoy the music. When you’re sad, you understand the lyrics.
George Jones
@gordonduke7174
Now the music is terrible and the lyrics are so immature !
@nght_pevet071
@Gordon Duke I am 12 and this is true. This music is good and can’t beat it
@stevewixom9311
damned if that's not true
@gordonduke7174
@NGHT_ Pevet0 And I bet you can't even sing , let alone play an instrument !!
@nght_pevet071
@Gordon Duke so?
@cbrucesbiz
I'm a grown strong man but every time I here him sing this song and with this video I get tears in my eyes. So many are gone, so many.
@TheThomasmoon
George Jones had a way of making you feel what he was singing
@susanamos4146
So TRUE
@teddykinslow8676
Same here