Chelsea Boots

Album: Prodigal Son (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In speaking with Songfacts about this song, Elliott Murphy explained, "I was thinking about the sudden death of my bass player Laurent Pardo, and I was thinking about being an American exile in Europe, and I was thinking about a new pair of boots I had just bought."
  • In regards to being an "American exile in Europe" and "it's a long walk home when you got no roots," Murphy's referring to the unique path of his own career. Born on Long Island, New York, he hit the American scene with a big splash but saw his fortunes dry up quickly.

    Murphy ended up finding his way to a sustainable professional music career in France. He's been given national awards and has a strong following there, but still feels like a castaway sometimes.
  • Murphy hopes that this song will join similar rock paeans to footwear, like "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Waits Lyrics Quiz

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

David Gray

David GraySongwriter Interviews

David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Phone Booth Songs

Phone Booth SongsSong Writing

Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.