Two Shoes
The Cat Empire Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

One day one woman asked him
"what do you to survive?"
he said "oh my dear listen here"
and this is what he cried

On my feet I wear two shoes for dancing
dancing to be free
my feet they're paying tribute to
the Bobby Marley legacy

My knees they've got some cuts and bruises
from skating all my days
when I'm skating with my friends
my troubles drift away

I say my legs they're wearing baggy pants
I like to move around
cos getting down and jumping up
these are some good things that I found

Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
boom shak the empire be rising
Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
boom shak we making some lovin'
Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
boom shak the greedy men running
Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
boom shak got two shoes for dancin'

My waist it's got a slinky belt
with a clip that's quick to open
because loving is the sweetest thing
and from my waist it happen

And my stomachs got some tasty food
that's making me feel good
cos sharing some meals is something
I wish the world could do

And my chest it wears a singlet
ah my chest it beating proud
my chest suggest I am a man
that no institution can knock down
And around my neck is superstition
hanging from a chain
because I've got my gods but in the end
I make my own way

CHORUS

My mouth it's got a great big smile
that shows some great big teeth
to friends it brings a happiness
and to enemies it means defeat

And my eyes they've got some vision
that can see through many lies
ah my eyes they look for better things
the better things to see in life

And my ears are wearing head phones
that do play my favourite songs
not music I'm told to like
but the songs that make me dance along

Cos on my feet are shoes for dancing
dancing to be free




my feet they're paying tribute to
the bobby marley legacy

Overall Meaning

The song Two Shoes by The Cat Empire is a funky, upbeat track that celebrates dancing as a form of freedom and expression, and pays tribute to the legacy of Bob Marley. In the song, the singer is asked how he survives, and he responds by listing the many ways in which different parts of his body contribute to his joy and groundedness. He talks about his feet, which wear two shoes for dancing, and how they pay tribute to Bob Marley's revolutionary spirit. His knees bear bruises and cuts from skating, but the activity helps him forget his troubles. His legs wear baggy pants, which allow him to move around freely and dance, jump and groove. He wears a slinky belt around his waist, which reminds him that love is the greatest force in life. His stomach is filled with tasty food, reminding him of the importance of sharing meals and making the world a more just and equitable place. His chest wears a singlet, attesting to his pride in being a man who cannot be knocked down by any institution. His neck bears a chain with a superstition hanging on it, acknowledging his belief in gods and spirits, but also asserting his right to create his own path. His mouth bears a great big smile that can bring happiness to friends and defeat to enemies. His eyes have vision and can see through lies, and they look for better things in life. And his ears wear headphones that play his favorite songs, the ones that make him dance and groove.


The song celebrates the body as a site of resistance, resilience and creativity, and encourages listeners to embrace their bodies and use them for positive change. The lyrics honor Bob Marley's musical legacy and political activism, and inspire listeners to be true to themselves and to make their own paths in life. The song's catchy melody, groovy rhythm and spirited vocals make it a favorite among fans of fusion, reggae, funk and world music.


Line by Line Meaning

One day one woman asked him
At some point, a woman inquired from him


"what do you to survive?"
"What do you do to stay alive?"


he said "oh my dear listen here"
He responded, "Oh my dear, hear my response"


and this is what he cried
This is what he stated emotionally


On my feet I wear two shoes for dancing
I have two dancing shoes on my feet


dancing to be free
I dance to gain freedom and express myself


my feet they're paying tribute to
My feet are honoring the legacy of


the Bobby Marley legacy
Bob Marley's musical heritage


My knees they've got some cuts and bruises
My knees are injured and marked


from skating all my days
Due to skating every day of my life


when I'm skating with my friends
Whenever I'm skating in the company of my pals


my troubles drift away
My problems vanish


I say my legs they're wearing baggy pants
My legs have loose-fitting trousers on


I like to move around
I enjoy changing my position


cos getting down and jumping up
Because crouching or leaping


these are some good things that I found
Are some of the positive things that I've discovered


Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
An expression of excitement and joy


boom shak the empire be rising
The Cat Empire's dominance is escalating


Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
An expression of excitement and joy


boom shak we making some lovin'
We're spreading love and good vibes


Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
An expression of excitement and joy


boom shak the greedy men running
The rapacious individuals are fleeing


Aeehhhiiiaaaaa
An expression of excitement and joy


boom shak got two shoes for dancin'
I've got two dancing shoes


My waist it's got a slinky belt
My midsection is adorned with a fashionable belt


with a clip that's quick to open
That opens fast when unfastened


because loving is the sweetest thing
Because love is the most delightful experience


and from my waist it happen
And that's where love materializes


And my stomachs got some tasty food
My belly contains some delicious cuisine


that's making me feel good
That provides me with pleasure and satisfaction


cos sharing some meals is something
Since sharing meals is an activity


I wish the world could do
That I desire humanity to embrace


And my chest it wears a singlet
I have a vest on my torso


ah my chest it beating proud
And it's pulsating with pride


my chest suggest I am a man
My chest indicates that I am male


that no institution can knock down
That no establishment can subdue


And around my neck is superstition
I have a superstitious item on my neck


hanging from a chain
Dangling from a necklace


because I've got my gods but in the end
Because I have my deities, but ultimately


I make my own way
I follow my path


My mouth it's got a great big smile
I have a massive grin on my face


that shows some great big teeth
Revealing my big set of teeth


to friends it brings a happiness
Friends feel jovial in my presence


and to enemies it means defeat
And to adversaries, it signifies failure


And my eyes they've got some vision
My eyesight is quite sharp


that can see through many lies
That can detect falsehoods easily


ah my eyes they look for better things
And they search for superior things


the better things to see in life
Better aspects of life that exist


And my ears are wearing head phones
I have headphones on my ears


that do play my favourite songs
That play the tracks I adore


not music I'm told to like
And not music that I'm instructed to enjoy


but the songs that make me dance along
But those that make me move my body


Cos on my feet are shoes for dancing
Because I'm donning dancing footwear


dancing to be free
So that I can express my freedom through dance


my feet they're paying tribute to
My feet are honoring


the bobby marley legacy
Bob Marley's musical heritage




Contributed by Levi C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

helo3d69

Sem dúvidas que esta é uma música sensacional. It's a masterpiece.

Ariely Klein

Opaa. Achei um BR hahahah. Som massa!!

Marcos Aguiar da Costa

HU3HU3HU3

Abraão Felipe Lopes Pacheco

@Ariely Klein Aquele vídeo de Mountain Bike me trouxe ate aqui

Ariely Klein

@wanganeiro qual vídeo??

Abraão Felipe Lopes Pacheco

@Ariely Klein Mtb freeride downhill,nostalgia pura ele,lembro que vi a uns 10 ou 11 anos atrás o vídeo original.

2 More Replies...

Cranky Rooster

Phenomenal, thank you for your music Cat Empire !

Christian Rodgers

Been listening to this album for over a decade. This is the first time I've found the random LimeWire version I used to listen to. Brings be back to the good old days. Love you lads to bits, you made my teenage years ❤️

Pete Gowland

This will always be Whistler in Seasons for me. Such a great bit of music to the right bit of film.

Michael DiMarzio

I aways think of Whistler DH

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