Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
Ladysmith Black Mambazo/Paul Simon Lyrics
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(A-wa a-wa) Si-bona kwenze ka kanjani
(A-wa a-wa) Amanto mbazane ayeza
She's a rich girl
She don't try to hide it
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
He's a poor boy
Empty as a pocket with nothing to lose
Sing Ta na na
Ta na na na
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
People say she's crazy
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Well that's one way to lose these
Walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She was physically forgotten
Then she slipped into my pocket
With my car keys
She said you've taken me for granted
Because I please you
Wearing these diamonds
And I could say Oo oo oo
As if everybody knows
What I'm talking about
As if everybody would know
Exactly what I was talking about
Talking about diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She makes the sign of a teaspoon
He makes the sign of a wave
The poor boy changes clothes
And puts on after-shave
To compensate for his ordinary shoes
And she said honey take me dancing
But they ended up by sleeping
In a doorway
By the bodegas and the lights on
Upper Broadway
Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes
And I could say Oo oo oo
As if everybody here would know
What I was talking about
I mean everybody here would know exactly
What I was talking about
Talking about diamonds
People say I'm crazy
I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes
Well that's one way to lose
These walking blues
Diamonds on the soles of our shoes
The Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s song “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” is a catchy tune that tells the story of a rich girl who has diamonds on the soles of her shoes. The first verse talks about the girl’s wealth and how she doesn't try to hide it. The second verse introduces the character of a young man who is poor and has nothing to lose. The chorus repeats the phrase “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” and is followed by another verse about how people say that she's crazy for wearing diamonds on her shoes.
The third verse is about how the girl was forgotten and then slipped into the character's pocket, and he took her for granted. She lets him know that she wears the diamonds because she pleases him. The song highlights the difference in their social status, with the girl being wealthy and the boy struggling with poverty. The last verse is about how they ended up sleeping in a doorway, wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes. This song is about the various ways that people cope with life's challenges, including wealth status, and the constant battle of trying to fit in and be accepted.
Line by Line Meaning
(a-wa) O kodwa you zo-nge li-sa namhlange
Oh but who would ever have thought it possible that someday she would take a liking to me
(a-wa a-wa) Si-bona kwenze ka kanjani
I wonder what ever could have caused her to fall for someone like me
(a-wa a-wa) Amanto mbazane ayeza
There are many young women coming who want to be with me now that I have her
She's a rich girl
She comes from a wealthy background
She don't try to hide it
She doesn't disguise her wealth
Diamonds on the soles of her shoes
She has expensive diamond accents on her shoes
He's a poor boy
He comes from a less fortunate background
Empty as a pocket
He has no money or possessions
Sing Ta na na
A cheerful interlude
She got diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Repeating the earlier observation that the woman is wealthy
People say she's crazy
Some people think her luxury items are extravagant
Well that's one way to lose these walking blues
But wearing luxurious items is one way to feel better
She was physically forgotten
She was once overlooked by others because of her looks
Then she slipped into my pocket
The woman began a romantic relationship with the singer, who felt lucky to have her with him
She said you've taken me for granted
The woman felt unappreciated by the singer for a time
Because I please you
But now she knows that she makes him happy
Wearing these diamonds
And part of that happiness comes from having fancy diamond accents on her shoes
And I could say Oo oo oo
An expression of excitement
As if everybody knows what I'm talking about
It feels like everyone can relate to the joy in his relationship
Talking about diamonds on the soles of her shoes
Which is in large part due to the woman having diamond accents on her shoes
She makes the sign of a teaspoon
The woman has a very particular and odd dance move
He makes the sign of a wave
The man has his own unique dance move
The poor boy changes clothes
The man puts on nicer clothes to feel more confident around the wealthy woman
And puts on after-shave
He also applies after-shave to try and impress her
To compensate for his ordinary shoes
But he still feels insecure about his lack of wealth and wants to make it up with his appearance
And she said honey take me dancing
The woman wanted to go dancing
But they ended up by sleeping in a doorway
But the night ended up being cut short and they slept outside instead
By the bodegas and the lights on Upper Broadway
Outside some businesses in a bustling part of town
Wearing diamonds on the soles of their shoes
But they still had those diamond accents on their shoes, which made them feel special
People say I'm crazy
Others may not understand the relationship
I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes
But the singer feels happy and fulfilled with this person, and their wealth is a part of that
Well that's one way to lose these walking blues
Having something to remind him of the woman's love is helping the artist forget his worries
Diamonds on the soles of our shoes
Both the man and woman feel happy and lucky to have those diamond accents on their shoes, because they represent their love and happiness together
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH SHABALALA, PAUL SIMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@leapoldstotch4987
This album was every car journey as a kid , thanks Dad
@karyng4448
Me too!! Except with mom :) perfect road trip album
@andrewnance2156
I hope there are thousands of us out there!
@backdoorsin000999
Haha true, I thought it were just me and my brothers on the long road!
@xaponetta
I second that 100%
@christineichoho4820
Oh yeah. No childhood roadtrip was complete without this.
@shauneses.377
I remember hearing Graceland at the age of 14. My mom would play that album all of the time. As a african american at that age I was so taken by his respectful incorporation of african tongues into his songs. My mom would play music by Ladysmith Black Mambazo so when I heard them on this album I developed such a profound respect for Paul Simon, as an Artist and his ability to tell a story within the song. I lost my MIND when I saw him in concert one summer in Columbia Maryland (can't remember the year). I play Paul Simon any time my soul needs to rest from aggravation, while painting, or just to be in a sublime mood. Thank you Mr. Simon.
@alvinwilliams8951
Mr. Simon's love of this music goes easy back. His mother and child reunion was the first (ska, i hope that's correct) early reggae hit in America.
@dumisaniphakathi7586
kwakuhle sisi omuhle
@roro6320
I went to see him in Columbia Maryland as well in 2018 or 2017 and it was life changing