The greatest thing ever about MTV to me, was that thirty years ago, it introduced me to The Shoes. This is my favorite tune by them, and Present Tense is nothing less than a true pop classic album. The fact that this album continues to be left off various "greatest" lists is nothing less than a crime. Thank you SHOES for much great music over the years.
some of the greatest music of my lifetime. this song especially is filled with so many dynamic changes it's like a well written short story. simply put, the best of power pop.
Hey, I'm not trying to be a douche or hurt The Shoes (Shoes?) or their fans, it just doesn't do it for me. Their records are well put together, they play in time & in tune, & there's not a lot of fat... but the melodies are just not pleasing to my ear, the compositions lack charm, and it just rates too high on the "wanky" meter. Of course they were more successful than I've been in the music business, so I'll own up to a charge of "sour grapes", it's just my opinion. If it makes you happy...
>....the shoes had a solid 5 LP's worth of above average hooky pop...also they self released their 1ST couple records before anyone gave a damn about DIY...they were genuine song writers...give em a tad bit more credit...oh yeah ...and fuck the music "business"...
@squiggTVIF YOU DON'T LIKE SHOES, THAN YOU NEVER LIKED THE BEATLES, WHICH MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE ASSWIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BIG OR GO HOME. YOU NEVER MADE IT, SO SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is really rubbish, it sucks even harder than I remember. So whiny, I never got it. Try The Records' "Starry Eyes" instead, makes this look like the tripe that it was. And yes, I like simple direct music, but this is crud. I mean, it's cool that people get enjoyment out of it, but please...
Starry Eyes is a great song. One of about 5 by the Records. The rest of their music was mediocre. Shoes had more great songs on "Present Tense" alone than the Records had in total. You either understand great power pop or you don't. This is the apex of the genre.
I still think they sound kinda wanky, and if this is one of the "great songs", then we'll just have to agree to disagree. Certainly you don't mean to say that if someone doesn't like what you like they don't understand power pop? Maybe I need to hear one of the other great songs you are referring to. Honestly, I remember about three songs they had on MTV back in the day, they all seemed like they were aimed at girls, his hair a-blowin' in the wind and all sensitive-like... yuck!
I had no idea that The Shoes had videos!! I am speechless! I had their "Present Tense" on vinyl, back in the day... now I have Present Tense/Tongue Twister on CD.
Thank you so much for the uploads! I guess I have some sharing to do!! :D
Fuckin' A !!!!!! Shoes fan from day one. I have in my yearbook, ''time is our own enemy while in love, but in time, love is our only friend''. Anyone who knows Jimmy D from Denver, knows shoes!!!!!!!!!
it will be up to us to spread the word one person at a time. are you guys picking up on The Nerk Twins and Jeff Murphy's solo? not quite The Shoes, but the legacy is there. who does "icanhearyoubreathing" think he is?so way off base!!
Hate to breakup the love in for the pride and joy of Zion, IL but there is something flat about the recordings. Maybe they sound great live but there is something that does not grab me when I hear their songs.
I have one of their CD's and their were a couple of songs played on XRT but I couldn't get past the rest of it.
I have the Present Tense album and I always wondered what happenend to these guys. You can rock these songs up live!!! Anyone know what they are doing now????
a concert by the shoes was a religious experience..somebody posted it was simple music, simplistic cord changes. music doesn't have to be complicated to sound good. what an asshat..athe fact that they didnn't charaat at #1 is due to america's bad taste in music. toto, slayer, any rap artist., the list goes on and on.
This band kicked ass. Unfortunately, I think their lack of popularity was their name. It's asking a lot of the unwashed masses to worship a band called "Shoes", even though the music was awesome.
Haha .. "unwashed masses" .. well we might've accepted a band named "Stiletto Shoes" but not just "Shoes". Seriously though they deserved more attention.
I knew the drummer from my uncle back in high school and still can't figure out why they never made it any bigger than having 4 videos on MTV's first day.
That would exceed the You Tube word limit. If you can get a copy of the US album (on Elektra) the lyrics are on the inner sleeve. You used to find the album in every cut-out bin but I guess you could still get one cheap on eBay.
Hi Natasha, now that I think about it I'm not even sure why I thought there was a word limit on comments. I just checked the rules and couldn't find any reference to it. If you still need the lyrics I'm willing to try posting them.
I bought Present Tense from a cut-out bin in 1984 solely because of the name and the cover (and it was only $1). It quickly became my favorite album of all time and still is. I was a sappy kid. Now I'm a sappy man. Best buck I ever spent.
I really believe they didn't make it bigger because of thier name. Too plain and too wierd at the same time. The songs are simple genius but the name makes them unmarketable. When I worked in radio it was easy to push a band with a cool name. Strange I know, but true.
Maybe you're right. Their failure to make the big time is hard to understand. I think it was just that weren't the hippest thing at the time and they just kind of fell through the cracks. They were similar to Big Star and Dwight Twilley in that respect. Then again maybe it's just that the average person is too dumb to know greatness when he/she hears it.
This Friday there will be a new "reality" show entitled "America's Next Band" or some such nonsense...anyway, the point being, what do you bet that the eventual winners will not be worthy to carry the jocks ( to say nothing of the guitar cases ) of the criminally under-rated Shoes?
I remember sittin by my radio waitin for this song.....Im gonna remake this awesome song someday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
metalmanxx666 3 months ago
new album coming... 15 years since the last one....
grooviefan 5 months ago
The greatest thing ever about MTV to me, was that thirty years ago, it introduced me to The Shoes. This is my favorite tune by them, and Present Tense is nothing less than a true pop classic album. The fact that this album continues to be left off various "greatest" lists is nothing less than a crime. Thank you SHOES for much great music over the years.
StevenFallonOfficial 6 months ago
some of the greatest music of my lifetime. this song especially is filled with so many dynamic changes it's like a well written short story. simply put, the best of power pop.
rongwrong1 1 year ago
Excellent stuff from these power pop geniuses!!
TrickyTolles64 1 year ago 2
If Shoes came out NOW..they would be a smash....die major recording labels and the RIAA support Indie artists
jjames17407 1 year ago 2
Best power pop group - EVER!
Criminally underrated.
wsperger 1 year ago
squiggy go hang with lenny & laverne! she'll kick both your asses! You're a wanker!
mileshye 2 years ago
Hey, I'm not trying to be a douche or hurt The Shoes (Shoes?) or their fans, it just doesn't do it for me. Their records are well put together, they play in time & in tune, & there's not a lot of fat... but the melodies are just not pleasing to my ear, the compositions lack charm, and it just rates too high on the "wanky" meter. Of course they were more successful than I've been in the music business, so I'll own up to a charge of "sour grapes", it's just my opinion. If it makes you happy...
squiggTV 2 years ago
You're a mean mr. squiggTV!
lostmyshu 2 years ago
>....the shoes had a solid 5 LP's worth of above average hooky pop...also they self released their 1ST couple records before anyone gave a damn about DIY...they were genuine song writers...give em a tad bit more credit...oh yeah ...and fuck the music "business"...
jaymusseato 2 years ago
Comment removed
Beebsd14 2 years ago
@squiggTVIF YOU DON'T LIKE SHOES, THAN YOU NEVER LIKED THE BEATLES, WHICH MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE ASSWIPE!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BIG OR GO HOME. YOU NEVER MADE IT, SO SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Beebsd14 2 years ago
haha..U tell'em Beebsd14!! SHOES ROCKED THEN... AND THEY'RE STILL ROCKIN'!! THEY ARE SOOOO BEATLESQUE...I LUV THEM!!
lostmyshu 1 year ago
This is really rubbish, it sucks even harder than I remember. So whiny, I never got it. Try The Records' "Starry Eyes" instead, makes this look like the tripe that it was. And yes, I like simple direct music, but this is crud. I mean, it's cool that people get enjoyment out of it, but please...
squiggTV 2 years ago
Starry Eyes is a great song. One of about 5 by the Records. The rest of their music was mediocre. Shoes had more great songs on "Present Tense" alone than the Records had in total. You either understand great power pop or you don't. This is the apex of the genre.
dogtron 2 years ago
I still think they sound kinda wanky, and if this is one of the "great songs", then we'll just have to agree to disagree. Certainly you don't mean to say that if someone doesn't like what you like they don't understand power pop? Maybe I need to hear one of the other great songs you are referring to. Honestly, I remember about three songs they had on MTV back in the day, they all seemed like they were aimed at girls, his hair a-blowin' in the wind and all sensitive-like... yuck!
squiggTV 2 years ago
I'll agree to disagree with you as well. I am a great fan of this band, but I could do with gutsier production, and no guitar synthesizers. Blech.
gilgamess 1 year ago
Shoes rule. Period.
conqueroo1 2 years ago
excuse me, greatest band of all time
hunckejunkie 2 years ago
Is this one of the ten best songs of all time?
dogtron 2 years ago
I had no idea that The Shoes had videos!! I am speechless! I had their "Present Tense" on vinyl, back in the day... now I have Present Tense/Tongue Twister on CD.
Thank you so much for the uploads! I guess I have some sharing to do!! :D
PennyroyalTeaTime 2 years ago 2
Fuckin' A !!!!!! Shoes fan from day one. I have in my yearbook, ''time is our own enemy while in love, but in time, love is our only friend''. Anyone who knows Jimmy D from Denver, knows shoes!!!!!!!!!
Beebsd14 2 years ago
Big star was another.
witchman1 2 years ago
These guys did thier own thing thier own way, labels didnt like that in that day, fuck labels.
witchman1 2 years ago
how could a band have soooo many great songs, yet remain relatively unknown...it defies comprehension!
robodoll 3 years ago 10
robodoll, you are right on the money. There is no justice in the music industry.
hsturrock1 2 years ago 4
it will be up to us to spread the word one person at a time. are you guys picking up on The Nerk Twins and Jeff Murphy's solo? not quite The Shoes, but the legacy is there. who does "icanhearyoubreathing" think he is?so way off base!!
robodoll 2 years ago
Dam saw these guys on HBO video Jutebox in 79 they played songs from Present Tense.... We missed out with this band not taking off.....
ww2flyers69 3 years ago 3
i want the drummer's kit..i want it..love the toms..whole tone of the kit is spectacular..i think its a Tama or Ludwig..hard to tell.
mpc3po 3 years ago
I totally want to get this album! it's a classic..i think everyone should have this one in their rock collection
mpc3po 3 years ago 3
If you are looking for cd you can buy it and download from Itunes. Will be cheaper than trying to buy elswhere
zeppelin76regal 3 years ago
amazing chord changes on this album.
charliedontsurf70 3 years ago
Hate to breakup the love in for the pride and joy of Zion, IL but there is something flat about the recordings. Maybe they sound great live but there is something that does not grab me when I hear their songs.
I have one of their CD's and their were a couple of songs played on XRT but I couldn't get past the rest of it.
poidog44 3 years ago
I have the Present Tense album and I always wondered what happenend to these guys. You can rock these songs up live!!! Anyone know what they are doing now????
airlee123 3 years ago
Good point,Rocinante!!!"Present tense"Was a fantastic album"Tomorrow night"Should have been a kick-ass hit!
Viznel137 3 years ago
I found these guys in the late 70's, why the fuck they never caught on is beyond me. They fucking rock the house.
witchman1 3 years ago 3
a concert by the shoes was a religious experience..somebody posted it was simple music, simplistic cord changes. music doesn't have to be complicated to sound good. what an asshat..athe fact that they didnn't charaat at #1 is due to america's bad taste in music. toto, slayer, any rap artist., the list goes on and on.
grooviefan 4 years ago 3
always loved the outro of this song... these guys are still around Zion, IL - Propellorhead is a good CD. Pure Power Pop baby!
johnmaserati 4 years ago
I can see why they didn't get anywhere. Very uninspired. Sounds like music by the numbers. A lead break with a single note above the chords. Really!
icanhearyoubreathing 4 years ago
This band kicked ass. Unfortunately, I think their lack of popularity was their name. It's asking a lot of the unwashed masses to worship a band called "Shoes", even though the music was awesome.
RocinanteSWS 4 years ago
Haha .. "unwashed masses" .. well we might've accepted a band named "Stiletto Shoes" but not just "Shoes". Seriously though they deserved more attention.
ekim007bs 4 years ago
I knew the drummer from my uncle back in high school and still can't figure out why they never made it any bigger than having 4 videos on MTV's first day.
zeppelin76regal 4 years ago
Me either I thought the group would have taken off but they didn't. The 4 video's were played all the time when MTV first started off in 1981.
mmichaelc 4 years ago
hey can you post the lyrics please?
NatashaReynolds 4 years ago
That would exceed the You Tube word limit. If you can get a copy of the US album (on Elektra) the lyrics are on the inner sleeve. You used to find the album in every cut-out bin but I guess you could still get one cheap on eBay.
pernicketty 4 years ago
k thanks!
NatashaReynolds 4 years ago
Hi Natasha, now that I think about it I'm not even sure why I thought there was a word limit on comments. I just checked the rules and couldn't find any reference to it. If you still need the lyrics I'm willing to try posting them.
pernicketty 4 years ago
I bought Present Tense from a cut-out bin in 1984 solely because of the name and the cover (and it was only $1). It quickly became my favorite album of all time and still is. I was a sappy kid. Now I'm a sappy man. Best buck I ever spent.
nikooly 4 years ago
I really believe they didn't make it bigger because of thier name. Too plain and too wierd at the same time. The songs are simple genius but the name makes them unmarketable. When I worked in radio it was easy to push a band with a cool name. Strange I know, but true.
lopergrad 4 years ago
Maybe you're right. Their failure to make the big time is hard to understand. I think it was just that weren't the hippest thing at the time and they just kind of fell through the cracks. They were similar to Big Star and Dwight Twilley in that respect. Then again maybe it's just that the average person is too dumb to know greatness when he/she hears it.
pernicketty 4 years ago 3
...No doubt...:)
jaye230 4 years ago
This Friday there will be a new "reality" show entitled "America's Next Band" or some such nonsense...anyway, the point being, what do you bet that the eventual winners will not be worthy to carry the jocks ( to say nothing of the guitar cases ) of the criminally under-rated Shoes?
jts2398 4 years ago 2
when i was in 12th grade this was my favorite album...then the beat's debut...then the knack's debut
jhrunion 4 years ago
This is great..better than the Knack...better than any other power pop groups of the era!
jhrunion 4 years ago
I totally agree...way better than The Knack - they should have been as big as Cheap Trick
playdeadrecords 4 years ago
How did this band manage NOT to sell millions of records?
dogtron 4 years ago
100% BRILLIANT! Behold - one of the greatest power pop groups ever to be! I can't get enough of how great this is - SHOES RULE!!!!!!
bluemulekicksass 4 years ago