"Walk a Mile in My Shoes" is a song written by Joe South, who had a hit with it in 1970. South was also producer and arranger of the track, and of its B-side, "Shelter". The single was credited to "Joe South and the Believers"; the Believers included his brother Tommy South and his sister-in-law Barbara South.
Its highest position on the Billboard Hot 100 was #12, which was also its highest position in the Cashbox chart. It also reached highs of #56 country and #3 Adult Contemporary in Billboard, and made #10 in the RPM chart in Canada. It was South's second and final record to reach the top 20 of the Billboard chart.
The song concerns racial tolerance and the need for perspective and compassion.
Notable covers and references
- Elvis Presley on his 1970 live album On Stage
- Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne when they presented an entertaining hour-long television special.
- Billy Eckstine on his 1971 album Feel the Warm
- Bryan Ferry on his 1974 album Another Time, Another Place.
- Coldcut on their 2006 album Sound Mirrors, featuring vocals from Robert Owens.
- De Dijk on their 2002 album Muzikanten dansen niet (Dutch version of the song)
- Greg Page in his 2004 Nashville concert
- Kentucky Headhunters on their 2011 album Midnight Special
- Otis Clay on his 2007 album "Walk a Mile in my Shoes"
Great song.Heard the Elvis version first.Probably heard the Joe South version at some point.Never heard the other covers before.
Gotta go with Elvis's rendition though.He kind of put a different spin on it.
Thanks for posting this great topic.
"Well sir,to be honest with you,we just stumbled upon it." - 1954
Great post Mike. This track stylistically has always reminded me a little of Suspicious Minds, particularly the guitar riff (if not the words.) Lyrically, it's Elvis again allowing us to enter into his mindset... He's telling us to live and let live, and to take care of another. In this regard, it fits neatly alongside his other "message" songs from around that time, If I Can Dream, In The Ghetto, and Clean Up Your Own Backyard. Another under-appreciated gem from The King - A song he made his own which trumps the original for me.
The only truly great versions Elvis did of this song were during the Winter 1970 season... unfortunately by August the song was almost a throw-away.
Not sure why he decided to speed it up so much but it just didn't sound the same... similar to what he did with Polk Salad Annie.
I like the song - the lyrics are great and theres a good melody to it. I like the original by Joe South, It's the best version. However, i'm not too keen on Elvis' version, it sounds quite rushed, even when he started doing it, it just seems to me that not much thought as gone into it. It's not a track I play often and I usually skip it whenever I play the On Stage album (which is the only version i've got) i've heard other versions of the song and they ain't much better. The Song was dropped pretty soon from the set list which is no great loss.
I like the song - the lyrics are great and theres a good melody to it. I like the original by Joe South, It's the best version. However, i'm not too keen on Elvis' version, it sounds quite rushed, even when he started doing it, it just seems to me that not much thought as gone into it. It's not a track I play often and I usually skip it whenever I play the On Stage album (which is the only version i've got).
This was, and still is, my favorite from the 'On Stage' album. I still remember how surprised I was when I found out it was done as a medley with 'In The Ghetto' in February 1970. Although he leaves out a verse in August 1970 I prefer those versions to the February 1970 ones and introducing the song with the 'Men With Broken Hearts' poem was brilliant. Another song dropped too soon from the set-list.
Besides Joe South's own version I really was surprised to hear Elvis do this song. And what a great version he did also. First heard on On Stage and that's the go to version for me!
"If you love me let me know, if you don't, ....move it!"
A beautifully written song that touches you from the inside, and with all the wonderful covers you posted, Elvis' version is the one that seems to be straight from the heart. It was always one of my favorite tracks on the "On Stage" LP next to "Runaway" & "Let It Be Me".
I've always loved Elvis' versions from Feb 1970 - thought they were really well performed, great arrangement and a fantastic vocal. The Sweets answering back to "cry, cry, cry" adds a real gospel edge to it as well.
Just for fun though, here's an amazing version recorded at Fame Studios by Willie Hightower - totally different feel, but a fantastic vocal.
DarrylMac wrote:I've always loved Elvis' versions from Feb 1970 - thought they were really well performed, great arrangement and a fantastic vocal. The Sweets answering back to "cry, cry, cry" adds a real gospel edge to it as well.
Just for fun though, here's an amazing version recorded at Fame Studios by Willie Hightower - totally different feel, but a fantastic vocal.
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Never heard of Willie Hightower before. What a terrific version! Thanks for sharing.
Glad you liked it Mike. I hadn't heard of him either, but found a fantastic 3 CD box of Fame Studio recordings after watching the fabulous Muscle Shoals movie, and it was a hidden gem on there. I've found a couple of albums from there, of which Willie Hightower's in one.
Elvis does a great job on this in Feb 1970. I was pleasantly surprised he included this song in his set as Joe South was a great songwriter and has an amazing body of work. I always thought his 'Dont It Make You Want To Go Home ' would have been perfect for Elvis to do at his June 1970 Nashville sessions. About this song, I rarely think a live version is better than a well thought out planned & arranged studio version. Elvis gives a great version, and he may sing it better, but I still like the original studio version by Joe a bit more. The mood just fits the song a little better than a stage version. Elvis never bettered his winter 1970 versions however.
Good to hear these versions. Elvis wins out for me - this was superb on the On Stage album and it's a shame in someways that the little poem was cut out. But I have always rated On Stage season as being superb because of its set listings and choice of good songs. Both the Joe South and Bryan Ferry interpretations are interesting too.
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
The Willie Hightower version is great too. I know my wife will love it as she is into Blues/Soul music so have just downloaded a few of his tracks and the Joe South version with another couple of tracks. Will add the former to her compilation playlist
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Living is easy with eyes closed...misunderstanding all you see...
Always loved it altough I prefer elvis his august 70 vocals for the song not counting that those versions were shorter altough elvis also did a short version like that in Feb 1970 as can be found on the on stage ftd
if you'll try a little kindness and you'll overlook the blindness
Of the narrow minded people on the narrow minded streets
I really like the song but not the original ON STAGE version as I really dislike the overused triangle instrument.
My favorite version is the one on PSA FTD from 2004.
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Given the news over the last day or so this is perhaps a rather apt song to be discussing. It is, if I recall correctly, the last of the "message songs" that Elvis tackled from 1968 through to 1970. The February recordings are the best, of course, and far less rushed than the others from later in the year. If there is any doubt whether Elvis attracted by the melody or the lyrics, those doubts are thrown out of the window when we remember that the number was in medley with In the Ghetto. It's interesting that Elvis was still interested enough in the latter to try to extend and expand the message of the song through the addition of the Joe South number.
The true source for the lyrics of Walk A Mile In My Shoes lays in the poem Judge Softly by Mary T. Lathrap (1895).
Pray, don’t find fault with the man that limps,
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the moccasins he wears,
Or stumbled beneath the same load.
There may be tears in his soles that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
The burden he bears placed on your back
May cause you to stumble and fall, too.
Don’t sneer at the man who is down today
Unless you have felt the same blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows
That were his, unknown to you in the same way,
May cause you to stagger and fall, too.
Don’t be too harsh with the man that sins.
Or pelt him with words, or stone, or disdain.
Unless you are sure you have no sins of your own,
And it’s only wisdom and love that your heart contains.
For you know if the tempter’s voice
Should whisper as soft to you,
As it did to him when he went astray,
It might cause you to falter, too.
Just walk a mile in his moccasins
Before you abuse, criticize and accuse.
If just for one hour, you could find a way
To see through his eyes, instead of your own muse.
I believe you’d be surprised to see
That you’ve been blind and narrow-minded, even unkind.
There are people on reservations and in the ghettos
Who have so little hope, and too much worry on their minds.
Brother, there but for the grace of God go you and I.
Just for a moment, slip into his mind and traditions
And see the world through his spirit and eyes
Before you cast a stone or falsely judge his conditions.
Remember to walk a mile in his moccasins
And remember the lessons of humanity taught to you by your elders.
We will be known forever by the tracks we leave
In other people’s lives, our kindnesses and generosity.
The master from the On Stage album is my favourite version. I like the idea of adding the spoken part from August '70 to this recording, as it's stronger and more complete than the performance that followed at the actual show.
However, my go to source is my own edit, as it wasn't done very well on the '70's box. Great idea - poorly executed.
rockinrebel on Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:45 am wrote:The master from the On Stage album is my favourite version. I like the idea of adding the spoken part from August '70 to this recording, as it's stronger and more complete than the performance that followed at the actual show.
However, my go to source is my own edit, as it wasn't done very well on the '70's box. Great idea - poorly executed.
That is my favorite version too. Too bad Elvis dropped the song as early as he did.
"Well sir,to be honest with you,we just stumbled upon it." - 1954
