Sunday July 5, 2020 “(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes” Elvis Costello

He traded his red shoes for immortality but more impressively wrote this song in ten minutes.

 This song gets credited to Elvis Costello & The Attractions but it was actually recorded by Elvis and an American band called Clover, who would go on to become Huey Lewis & the News and it is contained on the first Elvis Costello album/CD “My Aim Is True” which was filled with remarkable songs. 

 “Red Shoes” tells the story of making a deal with the angels trading his red shoes for immortality which would hopefully impress his girlfriend who is so nonplussed that she tells him “Drop dead” and leaves with another guy. Real irony telling someone who is immortal to drop dead. 

 He was banned from Saturday Night Live because when performing “Less Than Zero” he stopped the band in the middle of the song to perform “Radio Radio” which is critical of the broadcast industry and which SNL producer Lorne Michaels had forbidden him to play.  Costello is a self trained songwriter but has delivered many innovative and influential songs in a variety of musical stylings.

 Stay safe and well...and check your closet for red shoes, they could be valuable.

Oh, I used to be disgusted

And now I try to be amused

But since their wings have got rusted

You know, the angels want to wear my red shoes

But when they told me 'bout their side of the bargain

That's when I knew that I could not refuse

And I won't get any older, now that angels want to wear my red shoes

 Oh, oh, I was watching while you're dancing away

Our love got fractured in the echo and sway

How come everybody wants to be your friend?

You know that it still hurts me just to say it

 Oh, I know that she's disgusted (oh, why's that?)

Because she's feeling so abused (oh, that's too bad)

She gets tired of the lust (oh, I'm so sad)

But it's so hard to refuse

Can you say that I'm too old

When the angels have stolen my red shoes?

 Oh, oh I said, "I'm so happy I could die"

She said, "Drop dead," then left with another guy

That's what you get if you go chasing after vengeance

Ever since you got me punctured, this has been my sentence

 Oh, I used to be disgusted

But now I try to be amused

But since their wings have got rusted

You know, the angels want to wear my red shoes

But when they told me 'bout their side of the bargain

That's when I knew that I could not refuse

And I won't get any older, now that the angels want to wear my red shoes

 Oh, I won't get any older, now the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes

Red shoes, the angels want to wear my red shoes