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.
I once met a man with a sense of adventure
He was dressed to thrill wherever he went
He said: Let's make love on a mountain top
Under the stars on a big hard rock
I said: In these shoes?
I don't think so
I said: Honey, let's do it here
So I'm siting at a bar in Guadalajara
In walks a guy with a faraway look in his eyes
He said: I've got a powerful horse outside
Climb on the back, I'll take you for a ride
I know a little place, we can get there for the break of day
I said: In these shoes?
No way, Jose
I said: Honey, let's stay right here
No le gusta caminar No puede montar a caballo
(I don't like to dance, I can't ride a horse)
Como se puede bailar? Es un escandolo
(How can I dance? It's a scandal)
Then I met an Englishman
Oh, he said
Won't you walk up and down my spine
It makes me feel strangely alive
I said: In these shoes?
I doubt you'd survive
I said: Honey, let's do it
Let's stay right here
No le gusta caminar No puede montar a caballo
(I don't like to dance, I can't ride a horse)
Como se puede bailar? Es un escandolo
(How can I dance? It's a scandal)
He was dressed to thrill wherever he went
He said: Let's make love on a mountain top
Under the stars on a big hard rock
I said: In these shoes?
I don't think so
I said: Honey, let's do it here
So I'm siting at a bar in Guadalajara
In walks a guy with a faraway look in his eyes
He said: I've got a powerful horse outside
Climb on the back, I'll take you for a ride
I know a little place, we can get there for the break of day
I said: In these shoes?
No way, Jose
I said: Honey, let's stay right here
No le gusta caminar No puede montar a caballo
(I don't like to dance, I can't ride a horse)
Como se puede bailar? Es un escandolo
(How can I dance? It's a scandal)
Then I met an Englishman
Oh, he said
Won't you walk up and down my spine
It makes me feel strangely alive
I said: In these shoes?
I doubt you'd survive
I said: Honey, let's do it
Let's stay right here
No le gusta caminar No puede montar a caballo
(I don't like to dance, I can't ride a horse)
Como se puede bailar? Es un escandolo
(How can I dance? It's a scandal)
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
In These Shoes? Lyrics as written by Kirsty Mccoll Peter Wilfred Glenister
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
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Amazing
Ed Sheeran
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I love the line: "Won't you walk up and down my spine, It makes me feel strangely alive." I said "In these shoes? I doubt you'd survive." I said "Honey, let's do it.
So naughty!