Foley was born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. He began playing the guitar and the harmonica as a young boy and at age seventeen he won first prize in a statewide talent show. Ultimately he signed with Decca Records in 1941. His hit songs include Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy, Old Shep, Sugarfoot Rag, and Tennessee Saturday Night. Peace in the Valley, backed up by The Sunshine Boys, in 1951 became the first gospel record to sell a million copies, and One By One, a duet with Kitty Wells, became a chart topper in 1954.
For more than two decades, Foley was a major star of country music, selling in excess of twenty-five million records. During 1962-63, Foley was a regular cast member along with Fess Parker in the television series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Red Foley was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967. For his contribution to the music industry, Red Foley also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6225 Hollywood Blvd.
He died unexpectedly in 1968 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of fifty-eight from a heart attack. He is interred in the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
His daughter from his second marriage to Judy Martin (nee: Eva Alaine Overstake) is Shirley Lee Foley who is married to singer Pat Boone. His granddaughter is singer Debby Boone.
Sugarfoot Rag
Red Foley Lyrics
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Miscellaneous
Sugar Foot Rag (1950)
Gonna get out my sycamore gonna shine up my shoes
And meet my baby and tell her the news
I bet my bundle on a swayback nag
And it came home a winner with plenty of swag
Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag
Dig a little jig then a zig and a zag
Listen the fiddle play the sugar foot rag
Got a big jug of cider and a bottle of wine
One for my honey and the other is mine
Sip on the cider and sip on the wine
Then both sip together and have a good time
One foot, two foot, slew foot drag
Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag
Dig a little jig then a zig and a zag
With the guitar picking out the sugar foot rag
Gonna spend my money and get on the jag
And swing my honey to the sugar foot rag
Gonna walk right up and stomp on the floor
And swing up the middle with a shoe fly four
One foot, two foot, slew foot drag
Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag
Dig a little jig then a zig and a zag
Listen the fiddle play the sugar foot rag
One foot, two foot, slew foot drag
Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag
Dig a little jig then a zig and a zag
Listen the guitar play the sugar foot rag
The Red Foley's song "Sugarfoot Rag" can be interpreted as the musical representation of joyous celebration and jubilation. The song begins with the singer expressing his excitement to meet his partner and share some good news, for which he is preparing himself by shining his shoes and getting his sycamore. He then talks about how he decided to bet his bundle on a swayback nag, which against all odds won with plenty of swag. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is dedicated to the celebration of life and love.
In the subsequent verses, the singer talks about his plans to spend money, get on the jag, and dance the night away with his honey. The description of the dance is vivid, with the singer detailing the steps and movements of the sugar foot rag, from the one foot, two-foot drag to the shoe fly four. The song also mentions cider and wine, which are associated with celebration and good times.
Overall, "Sugarfoot Rag" is a cheerful and infectious tune that celebrates life and love, and the joy of dancing with a partner.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna get out my sycamore gonna shine up my shoes
I will retrieve my sycamore and shoe polish to prepare for the upcoming event.
And meet my baby and tell her the news
I plan to rendezvous with my significant other and inform them about recent developments.
I bet my bundle on a swayback nag
I risked a significant amount of money on an unimpressive horse.
And it came home a winner with plenty of swag
The horse I was uncertain about ultimately won, carrying many rewards.
One foot, two foot, slew foot drag
A dance move sequence consisting of three steps.
Swing your honey to the sugar foot rag
Dance with your partner to this particular tune.
Dig a little jig then a zig and a zag
Displaying one's abilities in a rhythmic and acrobatic dance.
Listen the fiddle play the sugar foot rag
Appreciate the sound of a skilled fiddle player performing the 'sugar foot rag' tune.
Got a big jug of cider and a bottle of wine
I possess large containers of both cider and wine.
One for my honey and the other is mine
Each of us has our own beverage.
Sip on the cider and sip on the wine
Drinking small amounts of our respective drinks.
Then both sip together and have a good time
Eventually, we will drink our beverages simultaneously and enjoy ourselves.
Gonna spend my money and get on the jag
I intend to expend a considerable amount of money and revel in celebration.
And swing my honey to the sugar foot rag
To use this particular tune for a dance with my significant other.
Gonna walk right up and stomp on the floor
I will boldly trample on the ground's surface.
And swing up the middle with a shoe fly four
I will execute a dance move known as the 'shoe fly four.'
Listen the guitar play the sugar foot rag
Appreciate the music produced by a skilled guitar player performing the 'sugar foot rag' tune.
Contributed by Jayce G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@TNdefender05
It doesn't get any better than this, Real Music!!
@TTexas2
This is the first version I heard back in 1950. It was played by a talented but unknown guitarist named Robert Atwood down in McAllen,Texas
Thanks for posting!
@johnwright7782
Love it.
@junkdeal
When I was a kid, (late '50s) my Grandmother gave me this record-in 78 format! Decca! I wore the damn thing out!!
@maick-tomg.602
great western swing
@marygomez8711
LOVE THIS SONG
@Teddyb1939
Father-in-law of Pat Boone indeed, nice early track,
@robertpayne5287
If you listen to the words he is calling moves for a square dance
@jennifursun3303
never square danced to this but one of the Step Dancing teachers used this song
@jennifursun3303
do you by some chance have Don't Blame It On The Girl by Red thanks