Boots of Chinese Plastic

Album: Break Up the Concrete (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The song's opening line contains four Buddhist words, "Nam myoho renge kyo." Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde told Rolling Stone when she first came across the phrase: "About 1971, this guy and I were hitchhiking through Canada. We thought we were John and Yoko. Somebody told us that if we got to Toronto, we should stay with this woman Georgia Ambrose, who held Buddhist ceremonies at her house. We called her and she said, 'What sign are you?' 'Well, we're both Virgos.' And she goes, 'Come over, I need some Virgo energy.' When we got there, that's what they were chanting. It means, basically, that every drop that goes to the vein comes back to the heart."
  • Break Up the Concrete was the first Pretenders album in six years. Most of the songs were written in the few years leading up to it, but Chrissie Hynde started this one about 30 years earlier.

Comments: 1

  • Mike from Austin, TxFor all you youngsters out there,
    The title is an obvious reference to Bob Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Pete Anderson

Pete AndersonSongwriter Interviews

Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.