Just for kicks: 20 memorable songs about shoes

Elvis Presley was adamant about people not stepping on his footwear in the hit song “Blue Suede Shoes.” On the track, he sings that people can slander his name or knock him down, but don't step on his kids, “Well you can do anything, but stay off my blue suede shoes.” 

In 2002, Nelly had plenty of fans running to the malls to grab a pair of the Nike classic shoe with his single “Air Force Ones.” On the track, Nelly and his crew detail about pulling up to stores like Foot Locker and getting these pairs of Nikes in their favorite colors. 

One of the most recognizable songs about shoes came from Nancy Sinatra when she released her 1965 hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin.’” Sinatra seems to be catching her partner doing wrong and lying to her, so she’s ready to get revenge and reclaim her power. But of course, she’ll look stylish doing it in her boots. 

The success of Run-D.M.C.’s 1986 track “My Adidas” landed the group an endorsement deal with the shoe brand, a first of its kind between a music artist and an athletic company. The shoes became part of the group’s brand and the image encouraged many fans to wear the kicks at their live shows. 

In Kenny Chesney’s 2002 single “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” the singer details of taking a vacation to Mexico and relaxing. He knows that when he’s there, he can unwind and not have to worry about his problems.

KC and the Sunshine Band want to get everyone on the dance floor with their disco track “Boogie Shoes.” The narrator is ready to wear his boogie shoes and dance the night away. 

In 2014, Mali Music released his third album Mali Is… One of the standout tracks is “Walking Shoes” in which he metaphorically sings about walking to find something new and chasing his dreams. He’s always looking for something good to come his way, so when it doesn’t, he puts on his walking shoes to go after it. 

In 2004, Crime Mob released a track that was perfect for club partygoers properly titled, “Stilettos (Pumps).” They know that a good heel will usually make heads turn when walking into a club, and on the song they want to let people know that they’re rocking the flyest.  

Kellie Pickler’s debut single “Red High Heels” tells the story of how she’s fed up with a lover and is going to spend a night on the town. She’s tired of waiting around on her lover, so she’s going to put on the shoes and make him see what he’s missing. As she says on the second verse, “Well you thought I’d wait around forever / But baby, get real / I just kicked you to the curb in my red heels.” 

On JoJo’s 2016 track “High Heels,” she details catching her lover being unfaithful, so she’s ready to put her heels on and leave him for good. Her stance is evident on the hook, “I put my high heels on, walk right out the door / Best believe I’ma leave, don’t need you no more / Put my black dress on, boy, you done me wrong.” 

Kesha’s 2017 track “Boots” is all about a girl enjoying the single life, until she meets someone that she just can’t seem to shake. She loves their late-night rendezvous and he loves seeing her in her birthday suit with a certain fashion piece. As she says on the hook, “I’m walking on air, kicking my blues / Everything stops when I’m with you / So slide over here, tell me the truth / I know you love me wearing nothing but your boots.” 

Wale has always been the type of rapper who takes pride in his hometown of D.C., and it’s evident on his song “Nike Boots.” Even though Wale has a successful career, he appreciates his homegrown roots and continues to be his authentic self. Part of that means wearing a pair of Nike boots, a statement fashion piece that represents his hometown. 

On Amy Winehouse’s 2007 track “F#@% Me Pumps,” she describes women who frequent nightlife bars and clubs. She describes a certain kind of woman who dresses scantily clad, rocks her stilettos, and is interested in men of a certain wealth and status. 

Brandy teams up with her daughter Sy'Rai on her 2020 track "High Heels." On the track, the two describe having confidence, faith, and perseverance to the point that no one else can validate them. 

In 2010, house DJ Kaskade released his sixth album, Dynasty. He teamed up with Dragonette lead singer Martin Sorbara on the second single "Fire In Your New Shoes." On the track, Sorbara describes the joy of looking good in one's best fashions. 

Teddy Riley produced MC Hammer’s 1994 hit track “Pumps and a Bump.” On the song, Hammer describes that he likes women with vivacious bodies who also wear high heels. 

In 1986, Paul Simon released his seventh album Graceland. The fourth single, “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” helps describe a woman who is so wealthy, to the point of that she can wear diamonds on anything she adorns. 

In 2006, rock band Arctic Monkeys came onto the scene with their debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. On their track “Dancing Shoes,” they detail about going out at night and potentially making a move at someone they're interested in. 

Shania Twain compares men to the variety of footwear and choosing which ones to wear on her song “Shoes.” As she sings on the second verse, “Some you wear in and some you wear out / Some you wanna leave behind / Sometimes you hate ‘em and sometimes you love ‘em.” 

In 2006, pop singer Paolo Nutini came on to the scene with his debut album These Streets. The album's final single "New Shoes" finds Nutini describing that he wants a fresh beginning, and his shoes help symbolize him stepping into something new.