Yesterday, on July 24th, the legendary country artist Pat Boone released a cover of one of the late Red Foley’s most classic songs, ‘Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy’. Boone first covered the song on his 1956 release, ‘Howdy!’, during a time where a wide variety of other artists such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra also covered the hit song; now, two thirds of a century later, Boone seeks to pay homage to one of his most famous performances, while also honouring Foley’s legacy, with a cover of his father-in-law’s signature song, ‘Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy’.
Boone has been around in the music industry since the 50s, getting his start with the previously mentioned 1956 album, ‘Howdy!’. Over his near 70-year history in the industry, Boone has become incredibly successful and critically acclaimed, second only to Elvis Presley in popularity in the 50s/60s. Now at the later end of his career, Boone has put out significantly less music, but is still recording in the same style as in his earlier days; fresh songs and nostalgic hits alike, Boone is still the same legend he was in the 60s.
Following up the success of his previous song, ‘Grits’, which released last month, Boone’s cover of ‘Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy’ continues that style and flair Foley first expressed in the song 70+ years ago, with Boone putting a pleasant spin on it. The song is quintessentially country, detailing the life of a “shoe shine boy” living in the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the wonders of his job. Although such a job as shining shoes would seem monotonous or even unpleasant today, both Foley and Boone put their own twist on the story to make it exciting to listen to, creating the timeless classic that can still capture hearts 70 years later.
Listen to the song below:
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