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{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
| Name = Blue Suede Shoes
| Cover = Bluess234.jpg
| Artist = [[Carl Perkins]]
| B-side = "[[Honey Don't]]"
| Released = {{Start date|1956|02}}
| Format = [[Gramophone record#Formats|7-inch 45&nbsp;rpm, 10-inch 78&nbsp;rpm]]
| Recorded = December 19, 1955
| Studio = [[Memphis Recording Service]], Memphis, Tennessee
| Genre  = [[Rockabilly]], [[rock and roll]]
| Length = {{Duration|m=2|s=14}}
| Label = [[Sun Records|Sun]]
| Writer = Carl Perkins
| Producer = [[Sam Phillips]]
| Last single   = "Gone, Gone, Gone"<br />(1955)
| This single   = "'''Blue Suede Shoes'''"<br />(1956)
| Next single   = "Tennessee"<br />(1956)
}}
"'''Blue Suede Shoes'''" is a [[rock and roll|rock-and-roll]] [[Standard (music)|standard]] written and first recorded by [[Carl Perkins]] in 1955. It is considered one of the [[first rock and roll record|first rockabilly (rock-and-roll) records]], incorporating elements of [[blues]], [[country music|country]] and [[pop music]] of the time. Perkins' original version of the song was on the Cashbox Best Selling Singles list for 16 weeks and spent two weeks in the number two position.<ref>[http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/50s_files/1956.html retrieved 10.2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922153740/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/50s_files/1956.html |date=September 22, 2012 }}</ref> [[Elvis Presley]] performed his version of the song three different times on national television. It was also recorded by [[Buddy Holly]] and [[Eddie Cochran]], among many others.

==Origin==
[[File:Blue suede shoes.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Shoes in Elvis exhibit similar to those that inspired the song]]
[[Johnny Cash]] planted the seed for the song in the fall of 1955, while Perkins, Cash, Elvis Presley and other ''[[Louisiana Hayride]]'' acts toured throughout the [[Southern United States|South]]. Cash told Perkins of a black airman, C. V. White,<ref>''Johnny Cash: the Autobiography'' by Patrick Carr, p. 127</ref> whom he had met when serving in the military in Germany, who had referred to his military regulation airmen's shoes as "blue [[suede]] shoes". Cash suggested that Perkins write a song about the shoes. Perkins replied, "I don't know anything about shoes. How can I write a song about shoes?"<ref>''Rockabilly Legends'' by Jerry Naylor and Steve Halliday p. 131</ref>

When Perkins played a dance on December 4, 1955, he noticed a couple dancing near the stage. Between songs, he heard a stern, forceful voice say, "Uh-uh, don't step on my suedes!" He looked down and noted that the boy was wearing blue suede shoes and one had a scuff mark. "Good gracious, a pretty little thing like that and all he can think about is his blue suede shoes", thought Perkins.<ref>''Go, Cat, Go!'' by Carl Perkins and David McGee 1996 p. 129 Hyperion Press {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}</ref>

That night Perkins began working on a song based on the incident. His first thought was to frame it with a nursery rhyme. He considered, and quickly discarded "Little Jack Horner{{nbsp}}... " and "See a spider going up the wall{{nbsp}}...", then settled on "One for the money{{nbsp}}..." Leaving his bed and working with his [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]] guitar, he started with an A chord. After playing five chords while singing "Well, it's one for the money{{nbsp}}... Two for the show{{nbsp}}... Three to get ready{{nbsp}}... Now go, man, go!" he broke into a boogie rhythm.<ref>''Go, Cat, Go!'' by Carl Perkins and David McGee 1996 p. 130 Hyperion Press {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}</ref>
He quickly grabbed a brown paper potato sack and wrote the song down, writing the title out as "Blue Swade"; "S-W-A-D-E – I couldn't even spell it right", he later said.<ref>''Rockabilly Legends'' by Jerry Naylor and Steve Halliday p. 131; also on DVD</ref>
According to Perkins, "On December 17, 1955, I wrote 'Blue Suede Shoes'. I recorded it on December 19",<ref>"The Top Beats the Bottom: Carl Perkins and his Music". ''[[The Atlantic]]''. December 1970. p. 100.</ref> for [[Sun Records]], which released the second take of the song.<ref name="pc8">{{Pop Chronicles|8|3|Carl Perkins}}</ref> Sun's producer, [[Sam Phillips]], suggested that the lyric "go cat go" be changed to "go man go", but the suggestion was not taken.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}}

==Success of Perkins' Sun Records release==
Perkins' recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" was released on January 1, 1956, as Sun 234. Two copies of the song on 78-rpm records were sent to Perkins but arrived broken. He soon discovered that the song was available in the newer 7-inch microgrooved 45-rpm format and was disappointed that he didn't have a copy in the older, more substantial 78-rpm format.<ref name="autogenerated152">Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. pp.152,153. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref>

In Jackson (where Perkins lived) and Memphis, radio stations were playing the flip side of the record, "[[Honey Don't]]." In Cleveland, Ohio, however, disc jockey [[Bill Randle]] was featuring "Blue Suede Shoes" prominently on his nightly show, and before January was over the Cleveland distributor of the record asked Phillips for an additional 25,000 copies.<ref name="autogenerated152" />

"Shoes" became the side of choice throughout the South and Southwest. On February 11 it was the number two single on Memphis charts; it was number one the next week and remained there for the next three months. Perkins made four appearances on the radio program ''[[Big D Jamboree]]''<ref>Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. p.157. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref> on station [[KRLD (AM)]] in Dallas,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockabillyhall.com/BigD.html |title=Big D Jamboree |publisher=Rockabillyhall.com |accessdate=2011-04-21}}</ref> where he played the song every Saturday night and was booked on a string of one-nighters in the Southwest. The ''Jamboree'' was broadcast from the [[Dallas Sportatorium]], with about 4,000 seats, and it sold out for each of Perkins' performances. Music shops in Dallas ordered a huge number of copies of the record,<ref>p.154. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref> and at one point it was selling at a rate of 20,000 copies per day.

A ''Song Hits'' review of the song, published on February 18, stated that "Perkins has come up with some wax here that has hit the national retail chart in almost record time. Interestingly enough, the disk has a measure of appeal for pop and r.&b. customers."<ref>Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. p.158. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref>

On March 17, Perkins became the first country artist to reach the number three spot on the [[rhythm and blues chart]]s.<ref>Naylor, Jerry. ''Rockabilly Legends''. p. 137, {{ISBN|978-1-4234-2042-2}}.</ref> That night, Perkins and his band first performed "Blue Suede Shoes" on television, on ABC-TV's ''[[Ozark Jubilee]]''<ref>Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. p. 163. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref> (coincidentally, Presley was on ''[[Stage Show]]'' on [[CBS|CBS-TV]] that same night, for which he also performed the song).

Perkins was booked to appear on ''[[The Perry Como Show]]'' on NBC-TV on March 24, but on March 22 he and his band were in a serious automobile crash on the way to New York City, resulting in the death of a truck driver and the hospitalization of both Perkins and his brother. While Perkins recuperated from his injuries, "Blue Suede Shoes" rose to number one on most pop, R&B and country regional charts. "I was a poor farm boy, and with 'Shoes' I felt I had a chance but suddenly there I was in the hospital," Perkins recalled bitterly.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Rockin' in Time|last = Szatmary|first = David P.|publisher = Pearson|year = 2014|isbn = 978-0-205-93624-3|location = |page = 38}}</ref> It also held the number two position on the Billboard Hot 100 and country charts. Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" held the number one position on the pop and country charts, while "Shoes" did better than "Heartbreak" on the R&B charts.

Perkins never attained the stardom of Presley, who, according to Perkins, "had everything. He had the looks, the moves, the manager, and the talent. And he didn't look like [[Mister Ed|Mr. Ed]], like a lot of us did, Elvis was hitting them with sideburns, flashy clothes, and no ring on the finger. I had three kids." After Presley hit the chart with his version of "Blue Suede Shoes," Perkins became known more for his songwriting than for his performing.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Rockin' in Times|last = Szatmary|first = David P.|publisher = Pearson|year = 2014|isbn = 978-0-205-93624-3|location = |page = 38}}</ref>

By mid-April, more than one million copies of "Shoes" had been sold,<ref>Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. p.187, {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref> earning Perkins a [[gold record]].<ref>''The Atlantic''. December 1970. p. 102.</ref> "Blue Suede Shoes" was the first million-selling country song to cross over to both the rhythm and blues and the pop charts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1070070|title=The Story of 'Blue Suede Shoes'|date=February 7, 2000|work=NPR.org}}</ref>

Sam Phillips retained the rights to "Blue Suede Shoes", although it was represented by the New York house of [[Hill & Range]] as part of the agreement when Phillips sold Presley's contract. Perkins acquired the rights to the song, along with all of his other songs recorded for Sun Records, in 1977.<ref>Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press, Go, Cat, Go!'' pp.188, 344. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.''</ref>

==Elvis Presley rendition==
{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
| Name = Blue Suede Shoes
| Cover = elvis_presley_blue_suede_shoes.jpg
| Artist = [[Elvis Presley]]
| B-side = "[[Tutti Frutti (song)|Tutti Frutti]]"
| Album = [[Elvis Presley (album)|Elvis Presley]]
| Released  = {{Start date|1956|03}}
| Format = [[Gramophone record#Formats|7-inch 45&nbsp;rpm, 10-inch 78&nbsp;rpm]]
| Recorded = January 30, 1956
| Studio = [[RCA]], New York City
| Genre = [[Rockabilly]], [[rock and roll]]
| Length = {{Duration|m=1|s=58}}
| Label = [[RCA Victor]]
| Writer = [[Carl Perkins]]
| Producer = [[Steve Sholes]]
| Last single   = "[[Shake, Rattle and Roll#Elvis Presley versions|Shake, Rattle and Roll]]"<br />(1956)
| This single   = "'''Blue Suede Shoes'''"<br />(1956)
| Next single   = "[[I Got a Woman]]"<br />(1956)
}}

Recording cover versions of songs was a common practice during the 1940s and 1950s, and "Blue Suede Shoes" was one of the first songs RCA Victor wanted its newly contracted artist, Elvis Presley, to record. "[[Heartbreak Hotel]]" and "Shoes" rose on the charts at roughly the same time. RCA Victor, with its superior distribution and radio contacts, knew it could probably steal a hit record from Phillips and Perkins. Presley, who knew both Perkins and Phillips from his days at [[Sun Records]], gave in to pressure from RCA, but he requested that the company hold back his version from release as a single. Presley's version features two guitar solos by [[Scotty Moore]], with
[[Bill Black]] on bass and [[D.J. Fontana]] on drums.<ref>Burke, Ken; Griffin, Dan (2006). ''The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley's Band''. Chicago Review Press. pp. 87,88. {{ISBN|1-55652-614-8}}.</ref>

According to Moore, when the song was recorded, "We just went in there and started playing, just winged it. Just followed however Elvis felt." According to reports confirmed by Sam Phillips, RCA Victor producer Steve Sholes agreed not to release Presley's version of the song as a single while Perkins' release was hot.<ref>"Perkins, Carl; McGee, David (1996). ''Go, Cat, Go!'' Hyperion Press. pp.162, 163. {{ISBN|0-7868-6073-1}}.</ref>

Presley performed the song on national television three times in 1956. The first was February 11 on ''Stage Show''. He also performed it again on his third appearance on ''Stage Show'' on March 17, and again on the ''[[Milton Berle|Milton Berle Show]]'' on April 3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kki.pl/elvisal/elvis_tv.htm |title=Elvis' Television Appearances 1956–1973 |publisher=Kki.pl |accessdate=2011-04-21 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718225753/http://www.kki.pl/elvisal/elvis_tv.htm |archivedate=July 18, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> On July 1, [[Steve Allen]] introduced Presley on ''[[The Steve Allen Show]]'', and Presley, dressed in formal evening wear, said, "I think that I have on something tonight that's not quite right for evening wear." Allen asked, "What's that, Elvis?" "Blue suede shoes" was the answer, as he lifted his left foot to show the audience. Presley mentioned blue suede shoes a second time on this show: in a song during the "Range Roundup" comedy skit with Allen, [[Andy Griffith]], and [[Imogene Coca]], he delivered the line, "I'm a-warnin' you galoots, don't step on my blue suede shoes."<ref>''Elvis''. Vol. 1. Home Video Syndications, 1990.</ref>

Moore has said that Presley recorded the song to help out Perkins after his accident. "Elvis wasn't really thinking at that time that it was going to make money for Carl; he was doing it as more of a tribute type thing. Of course Carl was glad he did. It really helped as his record started going down."<ref>Burke, Ken; Griffin, Dan (2006). ''The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley's Band''. Chicago Review Press. p. 88. {{ISBN|1-55652-614-8}}.</ref>

"Blue Suede Shoes" was the first song on the groundbreaking album ''[[Elvis Presley (album)|Elvis Presley]]'', which was released in March. RCA Victor released two other records with "Blue Suede Shoes" the same month: an [[extended play]] with four songs (RCA Victor EPA 747) and a double extended play with eight songs (RCA Victor EPB 1254).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sergent.com.au/elvis/1956.html |title=Elvis Discography 1956 |publisher=Sergent.com.au |accessdate=2011-04-21}}</ref>

RCA Victor released the Presley version as a single on September 8, one of a number of singles RCA issued simultaneously, all culled from the album ''Elvis Presley''.<ref name="RCSBlue">{{cite web|url=http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/search.php?type=title&key=Blue%20Suede%20Shoes|title=Search Results for Blue Suede Shoes|work=Rockin' Country Style}}</ref> This single reached number 20, whereas Perkins' version had topped the chart. 

In 1960, Presley re-recorded "Blue Suede Shoes" for the soundtrack of the film ''[[G.I. Blues]]''. While Presley's character and his band, the "Three Blazes", play a ballad at a Frankfurt nightclub ("Doin' the Best I Can", by [[Doc Pomus]] and [[Mort Shuman]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/elvis_presley_doc_pomus_mort_shuman.shtml |title=Songwriters Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman – Elvis Articles |publisher=Elvis.com.au |accessdate=2011-04-21}}</ref> a bored GI plays Presley's version of "Blue Suede Shoes" on the jukebox, remarking that he wants "to hear an original". When another soldier tries to unplug the jukebox, the audience erupts in a fight.<ref>''G.I. Blues'' DVD</ref> This studio re-recording was one of the few occasions in Presley's career in which he agreed to re-record a previously issued song. He did it on this occasion because the rest of the soundtrack was recorded in stereo, and thus a stereo version of "Blue Suede Shoes" was required. The 1960 version uses virtually the same arrangement as the 1956 recording. This version was included on the soundtrack album to ''G.I. Blues'' but was never released as a single in the United States.

In 1985, RCA issued a music video of Presley's original version of "Blue Suede Shoes". The video featured a contemporary setting and actors (and [[Carl Perkins]] in a cameo appearance), with Presley shown in archival footage.<ref>{{cite web|title='Blue Suede Shoes' by Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley|url=http://www.elvis-history-blog.com/blue-suede-shoes.html|website=Elvis Presley History Blog, Profiling the King of Rock and Roll|accessdate=26 July 2015}}</ref>

In 1999, Presley's version was certified as a [[RIAA Certification|gold record]] by the [[RIAA]].<ref>{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Elvis Presley|title=Blue Suede Shoes}}</ref>

==Other 1956 recordings==
"Blue Suede Shoes" was recorded and released many times in 1956.<ref name="RCSBlue" /><ref>Carl Perkin's Smash! (sic) Billboard April 14, 1956. page 36.</ref> February releases were by Delbert Barker and the Gateway All Stars on the Gateway<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=14871&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Gateway (Ohio) 1162 |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> and Big Hits labels, Thumper Jones ([[George Jones]]),<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=jone3400 |title=Jones, George (RCS Artist Discography) |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=15671&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Dixie (mail) (Ill.) 502  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> Hank Smith,<ref>{{cite web|author=Ted Barron |url=http://boogiewoogieflu.blogspot.com/2007/07/who-are-mystery-guests.html |title=Boogie Woogie Flu: Who Are The Mystery Guests? |publisher=Boogiewoogieflu.blogspot.com |date=July 26, 2007 |accessdate=2011-04-21}}</ref> and Buzz Williams.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=bark2600 |title=Barker, Delbert (RCS Artist Discography)  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=16233&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Big 4 Hits (Ohio) 185  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> [[RCA Records|RCA Victor]] released a version by [[Pee Wee King]] on March 3 of that same year,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=king3700 |title=King, Pee Wee (RCS Artist Discography) |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=2378&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for RCA Victor (N.J.) 6450  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> the same date as a [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] release by Bob Rubian.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=roub1000 |title=Roubian, Bob (RCS Artist Discography)  |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=3672&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Capitol (Calif.) 3373  |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> These were followed by the March 10 releases of a version by [[Boyd Bennett]] on [[King Records (United States)|King]]<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=227&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for King (Ohio) 4903|work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> and a version by Sid King on [[Columbia Records|Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=king4600 |title=King, Sid (RCS Artist Discography) |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=2388&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Columbia (N.Y.) 21505  |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> [[Decca Records|Decca]] released a version by [[Roy Hall (musician)|Roy Hall]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=hall5200 |title=Hall, Roy (RCS Artist Discography) |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=1819&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Decca (N.Y.) 29880  |work=rcs-discography.com |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> and the [[Dot Records|Dot label]] then released a recording by [[Jim Lowe]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/artist.php?key=lowe3000 |title=Lowe, Jim (RCS Artist Discography)  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/show_pic.php?key=2647&type=ls |title=RCS Label Shot for Dot (Calif.) 15456  |work=rcs-discography.com  |accessdate=April 21, 2011}}</ref> The song was also recorded in 1956 by Loren Becker with the Light Brigade on [[Waldorf Music Hall Records]] and by Bob Harris and the John Weston Orchestra on Sapphire. By April there were also recorded versions by [[Lawrence Welk]] ([[Coral Records|Coral]]), Sam Taylor ([[MGM Records|MGM]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.earthlink.net/~v1tiger/samtheman.html|title=Untitled Document|publisher=}}</ref> and Jerry Mercer ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pR4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54&dq=%22jerry+mercer%22+%2B+%22blue+suede+shoes%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=N5gEU82pIuGEyAHP44HQCQ&ved=0CFMQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22jerry%20mercer%22%20%2B%20%22blue%20suede%20shoes%22&f=false|title=Billboard|publisher=}}</ref>

A version by Boyd Bennett and His Rockets was issued by [[Parlophone]] (R4167 MSP 6233) in the UK.<ref>[http://www.globaldogproductions.info/p/parlophone-uk4000.html 78 & 45 Discography for Parlophone Records UK – 4000 series 3.2012]</ref>  "Blue Suede Shoes" was one of many songs that were included in the [[mashup (music)|mashup]] novelty record "[[The Flying Saucer (song)|The Flying Saucer]]", which was a No. 3 hit in 1956. It was referenced in the record as "Shoes", by Pa Gherkins.  Rockabilly artist [[Eddie Cochran]] recorded his version in May or June 1956.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eddiecochran.info/Sessions/III.htm |title=Eddie Cochran 1957 Sessions on www.eddiecochran.info |publisher=Eddiecochran.info |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref> It was first released in 1962.<ref>[http://www.eddiecochran.info/Discography/USA/III.htm Liberty LRP 3220.  January 5, 1962. Long play – "Never to Be Forgotten"]</ref>

==Legacy==
"Blue Suede Shoes" has been referred to in other songs, including [[Chuck Berry]]'s "[[Roll Over Beethoven]]" ("Early in the mornin', I'm-a givin' you the warning, don't you step on my blue suede shoes").

"Blue Suede Shoes" was chosen by the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll".
In 1986 Perkins' version was inducted in the [[List of Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients A-D|Grammy Hall of Fame]], and was included by the [[National Recording Preservation Board]] in the [[List of recordings preserved in the United States National Recording Registry|National Recording Registry]] of the [[Library of Congress]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loc.gov/rr/record/nrpb/nrpb-2006reg.html|title=About This Program|work=The Library of Congress}}</ref> The board annually selects songs that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

In 2004, Perkins's version was ranked number 95 on ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s list of "[[The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/11028260/the_rs_500_greatest_songs_of_all_time/1|title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time|work=Rolling Stone|accessdate=2007-06-02}}</ref>
It is his only song on that list. Presley's recording of the song was also on the list, ranked number 423.

In 1999, [[National Public Radio]] included "Blue Suede Shoes" in the ''NPR 100'', in which NPR's music editors sought to compile the 100 most important American musical works of the 20th century.

The [[Grateful Dead]]'s "U.S. Blues" features the lyric "Red and white, blue suede shoes, I'm Uncle Sam, how do you do?"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy6n49WdVcE|title=Grateful Dead Movie – U.S. Blues}}</ref>

The song is referred to by the [[Beastie Boys]] song "[[Johnny Ryall]]", from their album ''[[Paul's Boutique]]''. The title character, a homeless man, "claims that he wrote the Blue Suede Shoes".

It is also referred to ("maybe some blue suede shoes") in [[The Lowest of the Low]]'s 1991 song "Henry Needs a New Pair of Shoes", about a homeless man.

The song is referred to by [[Marc Cohn]] in "[[Walking in Memphis]]," which begins, "Put on my blue suede shoes, and I boarded the plane."

In 1971 [[Kevin Ayers]] recorded [[Stranger in Blue Suede Shoes]] which included the line (from the bartender) "we don't serve strangers in blue suede shoes".

The song appears in the TV miniseries ''[[Elvis (TV miniseries)|Elvis]]'', in which Presley (played by [[Jonathan Rhys Meyers]]) performs the song at the Chicago International Auditorium in his famous gold lamé suit.

"Blue Suede Shoes" is the opening number of the Broadway musical ''[[Million Dollar Quartet (musical)|Million Dollar Quartet]]'',<ref>MDQ Merchandising LLC (2010). “Song List” and “Performing Credits”.  In Million Dollar Quartet (p. 5)  CD booklet.  New York City:  Avatar Studios; and Chicago:  Chicago Recording Company.</ref> which opened in New York in April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zielinski|first=Peter James|title=Photo Coverage:  Million Dollar Quartet Opens on Broadway|date=April 12, 2010|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_MDQ_CurtainParty_20000101}}</ref>

A similar version of the song, with different lyrics, is performed by Susan Cabot twice in the movie ''Carnival Rock'' (1957) (at approx. 0:30 and 1:03) under the name "Ou-Shoo-Bla-D".

[[This Morning (TV programme)|This Morning]] presenter [[Matt Johnson (TV presenter)|Matt Johnson]] performed the song as part of a medley, performed as Elvis Presley on week 3 of the ITV show [[Your Face Sounds Familiar (UK TV series)|'Your Face Sounds Familiar']].

"Blue Suede Shoes" can also be found in the game [[World of Warcraft]] as an item with the flavor text "Keep Off".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wowhead.com/item=30894|title=Blue Suede Shoes|work=Wowhead}}</ref>

==Selected list of recorded versions==
{{Cleanup list|date=September 2016}}
{{Example farm|date=September 2016}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=September 2016}}
[[File:Bluesuedeshoes.jpg|thumb|1956 sheet music cover, Hill and Range, New York]]
The song is a rock-and-roll standard and has been performed and recorded by many artists, including:

*[[Bill Haley & His Comets]], 1960, [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]] album
*[[Buddy Holly]] as recorded on the ''Buddy Holly Story compilation'' and the 1964 LP ''Buddy Holly Showcase''
*[[The Dave Clark Five]], 1965, ''Weekend in London''; 1970, No. 7, UK singles chart, as part of medley "Good Old Rock 'n' Roll"
*[[The Beatles]], 1969, ''Anthology 3''
*[[Cat Mother & the All Night Newsboys]], No. 21, Billboard, 1969, as part of medley "Good Old Rock 'n' Roll", produced by Jimi Hendrix
*[[Mountain (band)|Mountain]], Woodstock, 1969
*[[Plastic Ono Band]], with [[John Lennon]], [[Eric Clapton]], 1969, ''Live Peace in Toronto''
*[[Ten Years After]], Woodstock, 1969, as part of a medley
*[[Albert King]], 1970, ''[[Blues for Elvis – King Does the King's Things]]''
*[[Black Sabbath]] on the ''Black Mass'' EP, 1970
*[[Jerry Lee Lewis]], 1973, ''[[The London Rock and Roll Show (film)|The London Rock and Roll Show]]''
*[[Johnny Rivers]], US No. 38, 1973
*[[Jimi Hendrix]], ''[[Midnight Lightning]]'', ''[[Hendrix in the West]]'', ''[[Loose Ends (Jimi Hendrix album)|Loose Ends]]'', 1975
*[[Johnny Cash]] is not known to have recorded a studio version of the song he inspired, but he performed it in a duet with Perkins on TV. An audio tape of Cash performing the song, made by a member of the audience in Rotterdam in 1976, has been circulated on YouTube.
*[[Kidsongs]], "Let's Put on a Show", 1995
*[[Paul McCartney]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Robbie Robertson]], [[Paul Shaffer]], Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 1999
*[[Dion DiMucci|Dion]], 2008 ''Heroes: Giants of Early Guitar Rock'' album
*[[Bruce Springsteen]], live in concert
*[[Grateful Dead]], sound check
*[[Pat Boone]]
*[[Merle Haggard]]
*[[Conway Twitty]]
*[[Mary J. Blige]]
*[[Brian Setzer]]
*[[The Toy Dolls]]
*[[Motörhead]]
*[[Helloween]], 1991, "[[Kids of the Century]]" single
*[[Hasil Adkins]], a previously unreleased included on the 1990 album ''Peanut Butter Rock and Roll''
*[[Ghinzu]], live at Montreux, 2005
*[[Koi Yamasaki]], 2015, "[[After Hours (Koi album)|After Hours]]" album

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1070070 NPR story on Blue Suede Shoes]
*[http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/buddy_holly.shtml Carl Perkins performs the song in a 1956 TV appearance ]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060210055204/http://www.balletsanjose.org/videoBlueSS.htm Excerpt form Ballet San Jose's Blue Suede Shoes Ballet]
* {{MetroLyrics song|carl-perkins|blue-suede-shoes}}
{{Elvis Presley singles}}
{{Eddie Cochran}}
{{Johnny Rivers}}
{{Dion DiMucci}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blue Suede Shoes}}
[[Category:1955 songs]]
[[Category:1956 singles]]
[[Category:1973 singles]]
[[Category:Songs written by Carl Perkins]]
[[Category:Carl Perkins songs]]
[[Category:Elvis Presley songs]]
[[Category:Eddie Cochran songs]]
[[Category:Bill Haley songs]]
[[Category:Buddy Holly songs]]
[[Category:The Dave Clark Five songs]]
[[Category:The Beatles songs]]
[[Category:Jerry Lee Lewis songs]]
[[Category:Johnny Rivers songs]]
[[Category:Jimi Hendrix songs]]
[[Category:Johnny Cash songs]]
[[Category:Dion DiMucci songs]]
[[Category:Bruce Springsteen songs]]
[[Category:Grateful Dead songs]]
[[Category:Number-one singles in the United States]]
[[Category:Pat Boone songs]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Sam Phillips]]
[[Category:Music published by MPL Music Publishing]]
[[Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings]]
[[Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Stephen H. Sholes]]