Songful Style! “Hi-Heel Sneakers”

“Hi-Heel Sneakers”

Welcome to the April edition of Songful Style!  This is a fairly new collaboration with Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, Anne of Spy Girl, Michelle of My Bijou Life Online, and me! We create looks based on a song selected by one of us and sharing them on the last day of the month.  Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes.  Plus, we’re throwing a link party!  The next month’s song will also be revealed during our posts so you’ll have an entire month to prepare for the next link up!  Make sure you visit each of the blogs to see how we interpreted the challenge!  I’m guessing each will be completely different!

Michelle chose this month’s song. In her words: “My dad was a musician. His favorite musical instruments were keyboards and guitar. Although, his professional career came to an end when I came along, I don’t ever remember him being without a guitar. This is one of the many songs he played. But what I remember about this song in particular, was how funny I thought the concept of high heeled sneakers was. While you could easily find high heeled sneakers with a quick Internet search now, when I first heard this song, (pre-Internet) as far as I knew there was no such thing. It’s a nice memory of my dad too.”

A little history…

I had never heard of this song before Michelle suggested it. When I mentioned it to Nigel, he, of course, immediately started humming it! The man has an amazing memory for songs of that era! Tommy Tucker wrote and recorded the song in 1963. “Hi-Heel Sneakers” hit number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cash Box R&B Locations chart. “In 2017, the song was inducted into the Blues Foundation Blues Hall of Fame as a ‘classic of blues recording’. In its induction statement, the Blues Foundation noted that ‘Hi-Heel Sneakers’ was the ‘last blues record from the mighty Chess Records [Checker subsidiary] catalogue to hit No. 1 on the charts’ and its popularity as a performance number.” (source) I am here to tell you, once you’ve heard this song, you will never forget it.

The Lyrics:

Put on your red dress, baby
Ya know we’re goin’ out tonight
Put on your red dress, baby
Lord, we’re goin’ out tonight
And-a bring along some boxin’ gloves
In case some fool might wanna fight
Put on your high-heel sneakers, Lordy
Wear your wig-hat on your head
Put on your hi-heel sneakers, child
Wear your wig-hat on your head
Ya know you’re looking mighty fine, baby
I’m pretty sure you’re gonna knock ’em dead
Put on your red dress, baby
Lord, we’re goin’ out tonight
Put on your red dress, baby
Well, we’re goin’ out tonight
And bring along some boxin’ gloves
‘Case some fool might wanna fight
Put on your hi-heel sneakers, child
Wear your wig-hat on your head now
Put on your hi-heel sneakers, baby
Wear your wig-hat on your head
Ya know you’re looking mighty good, really
I’m pretty sure you’re gonna knock ’em dead

Interestingly, if you google lyrics for this song, there are a number of different versions. I’ve included the ones Tommy Tucker sang.

Interesting covers!

I’m not a big Stones fan, but I like this version. Mick sounds a little pitchy in places, but I really dig the harmonica! Of course, this would be even better with John Lennon, but Sir Paul does a pretty fabulous job alone! And, then there are the Faces with Rod the Bod! But, this one right here…whoa!!! This guy is amazing! Mitch Grainger is an Australian blues and rock musician. Love, love, love his version!!! Maybe it’s the harmonica? And, of course, the King, Elvis Presley…keep listening, he’s just fooling with you in the beginning! I can’t help but wish Linda Perry had recorded her take on this bluesy tune…wouldn’t that be amazing! Anyone have any pull with Linda?

My interpretation…

This was a tough one for me in a lot of ways! First, I don’t own a pair of hi-heel sneakers! I don’t even have any wedge sneakers. I have exactly one red dress. I had to google to see what a wig hat even was…though I wonder if it was what the composer, Robert Higgenbotham AKA Tommy Tucker, intended. And, this song just makes you move…I dare you to listen to any of the versions I listed above and not do some kind of boogying! But, true confession time…I don’t have an ounce of rhythm in my body…not a single groove bone! I can chair dance, but that is about it! So, I don’t have “dancin’ clothes”! I have a feeling the other ladies are going to totally nail this. Let’s just say this is the Marsha in the Middle version! Well, to make a long story short…I went with my one and only red dress, April Cornell, of course! This dress is old. I wore it when I was teaching, and I retired almost a decade ago…do the math! This dress has no pockets which makes for a more streamlined look. While I didn’t have any hi-heeled sneakers, I did have red ones!

The Lewk!

I decided to go with these red Rockport Cobb Hill Willa Bow sneakers. I had forgotten how comfortable they are. They are truly like walking on clouds. I bought this bracelet at Newfields (see the white one here) and decided to wear it to pull in the green from the print of the dress. Since there is also blue, I pulled out the blue and green striped hinged bangle (either Talbots or Banana Republic). I think the earrings are Premier Designs. I added a ruby ring Nigel bought me decades ago.

Something new at MitM!

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. As of right now, I do have an affiliate code for Kantha Bae! Use MarshaintheMiddle in the promo code box for $5 off any order (excluding Bestie restocks)! In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post.

A bit of shameless Mom bragging!

I truly do love music and have passed this love onto my youngest son! When he was in fourth grade, testing for band was conducted (see what I did there). The night we met with the band director or musical instrument guy, I could tell something was up…there was this hint of excitement in the air, and it wasn’t coming from my son! The dude we were meeting with was so excited to be finally talking to Jordan because of how he’d performed on whatever test they’d given him. This guy really, really wanted Jordan to play the French horn. Jordan wanted to play the trumpet…guess who won? Jordan now plays trumpet, electric, acoustic, and bass guitar, drums, all kinds of cool hand instruments, some keyboard and probably anything you put in front of him. Oh, yeah! For a couple of years, he also played handbells at church! Recently, Jordan put together another album, had it pressed (a couple of different ways), hand embroidered a special limited edition album sleeve, and produced a few videos to go with it. If you’re so inclined, here’s a sample of his work. I think he’s pretty doggoned talented, but I’m biased! Drop me a note in the comments if you’re interested in purchasing anything (the limited editions are sold out).

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I was a little intimidated with this challenge at first because I didn’t have the right stuff. I went with what I had. I kept trying to envision what I would wear if I were to attend a concert and this song was played. My imagination failed me completely! So, can we talk? What do you think of this song? Were you chair dancing? Which version did you like best? And, what would you have worn? Please leave me a comment or two so we can have a conversation! And, don’t forget to link up your favorite posts, musical or not!

Next month:

I got to pick May’s song! I love music even if I’m rhythmically challenged! I had several songs under consideration, but, in the end, it had to be a Beatles song! I chose “Hello, Goodbye”. I think this will be a very interesting post as there are so many different ways to go. I, of course, have no idea what I’m going to do!

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, My Bijou LIfe, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, Being a Wordsmith, and Mummabstylish. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I’m also a co-host on the Weekend Traffic Jam (here).

And, now the party starts!

First Name

Last Name

List choice Marsha’s Blog

Email address:

Leave this field empty if you’re human: