Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes by Elton John

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Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes

Elton John

Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes

Song byElton John

in AlbumSongs From The West Coast

I'm stoned in the twilight

Screaming on the inside

Give me your water, help me survive

Gonna miss the sunlight

When I lose my eyesight

Give me my red shoes, I want to dance

They search for an answer

But that old man wouldn't listen

Back then I was handsome

Back then he was ignorant

And shave off the years now, it's all inside my head

The boy in the red shoes is dancing by my bed

Put them in a box somehere, put them in a drawer

Take my red shoes, I can't wear them anymore

Had garlands in the wings back then

All the pretty little things back then

Calling out my name, oh what fame brings

After curtain calls and bows

I can't see the front row now

Hand me my red shoes just one more time

They pushed aside our presence

They refused to go the distance

Back then I was Sigmund

Back then he wouldn't listen

LanguageEnglish

Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

Elton John's song Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes is a poignant commentary on the AIDS crisis during the 1980s. The song tells the story of a young man suffering from the disease, symbolized by his red shoes, which signify both vibrancy and tragedy. Key themes include the lack of response from the government and society's indifference to the plight of AIDS victims. Particularly poignant moments in the song include the reflection on lost time and the emotional struggle of living with a terminal illness. The boy's red shoes also symbolize his individuality and lost potential.