Imitation Leather Shoes

This song is an interpretation of Kafka's Metamorphosis novel. Read it. This song will make more sense afterwards.

"He took a trip..." Apparently this verse and the next one are about an incident in which the band met a pandering fool who made great promises he couldn't keep. He lived in CA and invited them out and talked it up how he would accomodate them richly. When they got there, though, they found nothing of the sort -- but rather unexpected problems -- "like dreaming bout the mona lisa, and waking up at Ruby ridge"

this song is most definitely about kafka's the metamorphosis. in the novel the mother is afraid of sons new appearance, his father is a selfish businessman and his sister is a sadist who pretends to care for her brother. the theme of the story is that although he himself is the insect, his family are parasites who feed off of him, while he remains positive, selfless and kind, never quite understanding their selfishness. also the line 'dreaming about the mona lisa and waking up at ruby ridge' is a reference to an event in 1992 where the FBI discovered aryan nation operations in ruby ridge, idaho. this may be irrelevant except but to demonstrate the insects blinding optimism.

the title line is also from kafkas novel, the insect is fascinated by the shoes of humans, often staring at them for long periods of time. when his once poor and degraded father becomes a successful businessman, the insect cannot help noticing is beautiful leather shoes and their large soles. allusion: achieving wealth through the explotation of others' kindness.

i think panic is trying to relate the experience of becoming famous with a kind of metamorphosis. they, as the band are the insect, while the music industry are the parasites feeding off of their talent, often masquerading as though they are lobbying for the well being of their artists, often fattening their pockets with the talent and obliviousness of new artists they take under their wing.

Well they have added a big brother or sister to the story and it is his or her perspective we are listening to. The song forces the listener to do a reality check. Not the worst thing in the world.