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Elena’s Shoes

Oysterband
Language: English


Oysterband

Related Songs

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(Oysterband)
The Deserter
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(Pete Seeger)


1992
Deserters
Deserters

Elena’s Shoes looks at the remnants of a toppled regime, noting the excesses of those in power as the people starve. Riffing on the infamous footwear collections of Elena Ceaușescu and Imelda Marcos, the band use a ludicrous image to make a powerful point.

Rebels take the palace, what do they find
in the cabinets of power? secrets left behind?
is it judgement, judgement, cut down to the bone?
no it's 19-carat bathtaps, ivory telephones
it's black satin sheets, crates of German beer
pornographic movies, a shattered chandelier
sharkskin tuxedos, powder crystal on the sleeve
closets full of objects you would not believe

how can you use
a thousand pairs of shoes?
when she got those walking blues
just one pair had to do
put yourself in Elena's shoes
they didn't give her time to choose
she said, I'd rather die than look like a loser
she said, I'd rather die...

there's a safe house in the suburbs full of broken glass
blood and wires and mirrors, well the neighbours didn't ask
you and I, my love, took our pleasures to the hilt
only little people pay their way with guilt

no more bodyguards
when she hit the bell
no helicopters
to lift her out of hell

how can you use
a thousand pairs of shoes?
when she got those walking blues
just one pair had to do
put yourself in Elena's shoes
they didn't give her time to choose
she said, I'd rather die than look like a loser
she said, I'd rather die...

Contributed by Dq82 - 2022/5/13 - 10:17




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