3 Songs Inspired By Shoes
With the advent of streaming platforms, sharing and creating music has become easier than ever. There are over 60,000 new tracks uploaded to Spotify every day, making it the most popular hosting site. That's on top of more than 70 million songs already on the platform.
Musicians like Tame Impala are continuing to release music despite the trials and hardships presented by the pandemic. And with so many new artists coming into the scene, it’s important for acts to set themselves apart from the rest. One way of doing this is by creating songs inspired by things not conventionally talked about in songs, such as shoes. Though it has been a theme that has been around for decades, not many people write about them. Here are just some of the songs inspired by different footwear from different genres:
These Boots Were Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra
Kicking off this list is an old song, but one that many would consider a classic. Nancy Sinatra, daughter of music legend Frank Sinatra, released this iconic tune in the late 60s. The lyrics talk about not putting up with a significant other’s wrongdoings and taking charge of yourself by using your boots to walk all over that person. Sinatra initially thought that the song was too “abusive,” but in the present, it has become a power anthem for many people.
At the time of its release, boots were a symbol of high fashion. It wasn’t until the next decade that they became a common item for the masses. Like the song, these shoes have stood the test of time and remained a staple for people all over the world.
Nikes by Frank Ocean
The second entry on this list is a more recent release. Nike, of course, are huge players in the sneaker game. Ocean’s song is about the prevalent materialism seen today. Name-dropping the popular shoe brand helps pull together the theme, making it known that the subject of the song is only after the clout the sneakers can bring. The calm melody that Ocean is known for creates an interesting contrast between the music and the lyrics.
Nike, especially with their limited edition designs, have become a culture in their own right with fans searching high and low for their special sneakers. Shoe-lovers often need to use special platforms to find the kicks they want. And SoleSavy is a platform that allows sneakerheads to track over a hundred retailers and their inventory, so users can click the purchase link immediately once the sneakers drop. These sites demonstrate how people go hard on acquiring these exclusive shoes, tracking selling updates and stocks even before they go on sale. This links to the theme of the song and the strong desire people have for these shoes.
Louboutins by Jennifer Lopez
Another more recent release, Louboutins has a similarity between Sinatra’s entry on the list. They are both power anthems, with this song being about leaving a relationship that no longer makes you happy. This single from Lopez came out in 2009 and holds the R&B melody characterizing the musical period. Though the song didn't reach the popularity Lopez is typically known for, it is still fun to listen to even today.
Louboutins are a social status. A-list celebrities are known to own several pairs of the luxury shoes and not just the women; actors like Idris Elba are also fans of the brand. The trademark red soles make onlookers know that you can afford finer things in life, making them the perfect subject of the song. These iconic shoes have been seen on red carpets all over the world, so Lopez integrating them into her song about personal strength is extremely fitting.
Songs about shoes do not come around often, but when they do, they typically hold much deeper meanings than the lyrics initially lead on. The ones on this list are just some that have been released and ones that are definitely worth listening to.
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