BLUE SUEDE SHOES

In Country Music lore, the origin of the song, “Blue Suede Shoes” grew out of a comment Carl Perkins overheard; he, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley were touring together. While playing for a dance, Carl overheard a boy scolding his date—“Don’t step on my blue suede shoes!”—cherishing his “blue suede shoes” more than the pretty girl with him. “Blue suede shoes” resonated with Johnny Cash—reviving a memory from his military experience while serving in the military in Germany; He remembered Airmen grousing when people scuffied their highly polished shoes—which they called—“Blue Suede Shoes.” Johnny suggested that Carl write a song about it, but Carl was nonplussed over the idea.

Ideas have a way of budding into blossoms. Somehow, “Blue Suede Shoes” soon rang a bell with Carl; he grabbed a piece of paper and started writing…and you know the rest of the story; Elvis’ versions, (he had three) of course, became the most popular, though Carl Perkins did record a version. The tempo and novelty of the song (especially Elvis’s gyrations) sped it up the charts. Singing “Blue Suede Shoes” drowns out its caustic subtext; at the very least it is a microaggression.

We don’t know what happened to the relationship between that boy and the pretty girl; I hope she dumped him on the spot. The boy may have been joking, or making a knee jerk response to the scuffing of his blue suede shoes. However, the Gabby Petito murder is opening the eyes of many as to how the often invisible, Boys-will-be-boys, incidents develop tragically.

Most, if not all of us either didn’t know or have forgotten about the blue suede shoes comment; Carl Perkins’ song—with Elvis Presley “turning on the afterburners”—diverted attention from the germ of an often winked-at idea. And yet. The subtext of that song title is pretty clear; “Don’t tread on my precious things.” In this case, what was precious to that guy was NOT his girl.

Callousness, the lack of compassion for others is not new. Lady MacBeth complained that her husband was too full of…the milk of human kindness… to kill his rivals. Humanity is hollow, when it lacks a pulsing of human kindness—-which includes at its heart, being considerate, caring, and having some degree of compassion. Some years ago the concept— “Random acts of kindness,” emerged, catching on rather dramatically. The idea creates more than a modicum of motion; always bringing a breath of hope, if not outright joy.

The Apostle Paul included kindness when he cataloged the fruit of the spirit. He had just finished counselling the church at Galatia against base human tendencies that draw down, destroy, and dismember human relationships. Notice that he concluded with good counsel, fostering a positive, productive attitude. Jesus, Paul’s master teacher, gave the ultimate essential guidance; In both word and consummate example, Jesus taught his followers to Love one Another, as I have loved you. That is powerful stuff!