The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
chorus
No shoes, no shirt, no service
Reads the sign on the front screen door
Your friends 011 moke me nervous
You best keep 'em out of my store
I don't moke no bones about it
I don't need your barefoot blues
I con damn sure do without it
I keep a good shine on my shoes
You've used up all your credit
My patience all ran out
And it'll lake two months of pay days
To settle your account
So get them fools up off my front step
And get 'em out of here
I don't need that kind of business
Do I moke myself clear
Don't think I don't know it
You been stealin' me blind
You thought I wouldn't notice
Or you thought I wouldn't mind
But you've run out of excuses
Son you're wastin' my lime
Get your face on out the front door
Toke it down the line
chorus
No shoes, no shirt, no service
Reads the sign on the front screen door
Your friends 011 moke me nervous
You best keep 'em out of my store
I don't moke no bones about it
I don't need your barefoot blues
I con damn sure do without it
I keep a good shine on my shoes
You've used up all your credit
My patience all ran out
And it'll lake two months of pay days
To settle your account
So get them fools up off my front step
And get 'em out of here
I don't need that kind of business
Do I moke myself clear
Don't think I don't know it
You been stealin' me blind
You thought I wouldn't notice
Or you thought I wouldn't mind
But you've run out of excuses
Son you're wastin' my lime
Get your face on out the front door
Toke it down the line
chorus
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Storekeeper Lyrics as written by James Mc Murtry
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
My grandfather owned a little store like that. I can hear him having this conversation.