Hi-Heel Sneakers Addendum

Athletic shoes have an interesting history. For this addendum, however, it will suffice to note that, in the U.S., the running shoes I mentioned in last Friday’s blog post, High-Heel Shoes, would probably have been called sneakers before, oh I don’t know, the 1970s? More to the point, if you were listening to Top 40 radio or to me trying to play guitar in 1964, you probably would have heard Tommy Tucker’s Hi-Heel Sneakers.

When I was preparing the High-Heel Shoes post, I of course wanted to hear that recording. Do you remember the post Positive Reporting Addendum? That featured artists who recorded the pop standard Accentuate the Positive. When it comes to Hi- or High-Heel Sneakers, it seems there weren’t any rock or blues artists who didn’t record the song.

Today’s addendum offers a sample. Why not listen to Tommy Tucker’s version and at least one other? You’ll find, in order, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Ike & Tina Turner, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, The Rolling Stones, Grateful Dead, José Feliciano and Buddy Guy & Junior Wells.

Tommy Tucker’s Hi-Heel Sneakers. (Photo from www.musicstack.com/records-cds/tucker+tommy) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bmbSC9c2ys

Janis Joplin’s High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from multiple websites.) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABmAgbJtZDk

Stevie Wonder’s High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from rateyourmusic.com/release/single/stevie_wonder/high_heel_sneakers___music_talk/) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAkgftQ5d1o

Ike & Tina Turner’s Tight Pants (High Heel Sneakers). (Photo from beatsixties.blogspot.com/2011_11_07_archive.html) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlJcKjmLp-o

Elvis’s High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from www.elvisrecords.com/guitar-man-high-heel-sneakers/) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jkwpFdXvSY

Jerry Lee Lewis’s High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from www.cdandlp.com/en/jerry-lee-lewis/high-heel-sneakers/7inch-ep/r117405785/) Live video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YBiB-mDWEw

The Everly Brothers’ Hi-Heel Sneakers. (Photo from multiple websites) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdSGLwoPvhQ

The Rolling Stones’ High Heel Sneakers. Photo and music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxJIS4MSxbU

Grateful Dead’s High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from jerrygarcia.com/show/1966-11-19-fillmore-auditorium-san-francisco-ca-usa/) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wckoHDsBUqk

José Feliciano’s Hi-Heel Sneakers. (Photo from www.45cat.com/record/310356es) Live video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF3i0qFiPRA

Buddy Guy & Junior Wells’ High Heel Sneakers. (Photo from multiple websites) Music video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZLWOKVKuR4