From the recording Stray Puppets
Red Shoes (L. Buckley/ L. Polacek)
Lynette’s poem—inspired by her Kansas roots—spoke of a local homeless person, down on her luck who basically burned every bridge. After a long, hopeless existence this person was offered a chance to earn some money. Now she lives in an old abandoned car, instead of under the bridge, and says, “things are lookin’ up!” Lori took the basic concept of the poem, retooled the words, and set it to music, giving it a righteous big band feeling!
Lyrics
Red Shoes
I aint’ got no money – gone and lost my place
Bills are stacking up and I got hell to pay
Rough times ‘n petty crimes
Old suit, stolen fruit and worn out shoes
Borrowed from all my friends - now I got the boot
Cashin bottles just to get by
Given up on livin’ – only tryin’ to survive
Take off those red shoes honey; We’re not in Kansas any more
Take off those red shoes honey; We got no dancin’ floor
Don’t look around for Toto Can’t afford no strays
Tin Man’s love can’t save us Scarecrow - still in a da-ay-ay-ay-ayze
Dreamin’ big, got a gig that’s gonna pay
No more poundin pavement every night and day
Livin’ the high life, in my old car
Caught a break, will learn to bake and pay my dues
Movin’ on and moving up to shake these blues
I don’t need to be a star
Getting back to livin’ – I’ve made it this far
We aint goin back - No we ain’t going back - We ain’t going back……… No more
Words Lynette Polacek/ Lori Buckley; Music Lori Buckley 10/2013