FAWM: "GAZING AT MY SHOES"

GAZING AT MY SHOES

Liner Notes

So somewhere I came across someone discussing a music genre called "shoegaze", thus inspiring the title to this song--if not, necessarily, the genre used. Not a genre I listen to.

But I hope you enjoy the song!

Lyrics

GAZING AT MY SHOES

Words & Music
By
Jerry Pettit
Facebook.com/JerryPettitMusic

In the mirror of my
leather soles
I see reflections of the
roles I've played
A thousand steps,
a million roads
Each scuff a memory that
won't fade

Chorus:
I'm gazing at my shoes
Trying to find the truth
In the wear and tear
of living
What am I giving?
What am I taking?
While I'm gazing at my shoes

These laces tied in
double knots
Remind me of the bonds
I've made and broke
The tongue that's silent,
never talks
But speaks volumes of
the paths I chose

Chorus:
I'm gazing at my shoes
Trying to find the truth
In the wear and tear
of living
What am I giving?
What am I taking?
While I'm gazing at my shoes

Bridge:
Oh, the places we could go
If we'd just pick up our feet
But sometimes standing still
Is how we find our beat

The heel that's worn down
on one side
Tells of burdens that
I've carried long
These shoes have been
my faithful guide
Through rights and wrongs,
through weak and strong

Chorus:
I'm gazing at my shoes
Trying to find the truth
In the wear and tear
of living
What am I giving?
What am I taking?
While I'm gazing at my shoes

I'm gazing at my shoes
Still searching for my truth
In every step I'm taking
A new path I'm making
While I'm gazing at my shoes

© 2025, Jerry Pettit

Comments

@sycophant 5d

Great lyrical work here. You really paint a picture with your words on this one… “wear and tear of living”’ is my favourite line. Genius!

@williamjames 1w

What a cool way to explore a concept. You manage say quite a lot and some quite profound stuff while basically talking about just looking at your shoes.

@jibbidy34 1w

I’m also not sure what genre shoe gazing is? But well done for using it as a springboard for a concept song. As always great lyrics and solid music! Ok have now looked it up and it makes sense. Although I think we called it goth or New Wave back in the 80’s

@coolparadisoMod 2w

nice story play around shoes! fertile ground but not commonly user! well played!

@pendroppoet 2w

Such a good production of the idea that shoegaze elicits, I really love this.

@gwynjones 2w

Definitely not in the 'shoegaze' genre...much better than that...a very clever, mature lyric that has a marvellous melody to support it and is up there with your best, I think...

@katestantonsings 2w

I love this song, Jerry! It's my favorite from you so far. The melody is catchy, the arrangement is haunting, and the lyric is wonderful :)!!

@paul_pedersen 2w

It's amazing what a good songwriter can use as a subject and create an engaging song with. You've done it, sir, you've done it. I'm glad to have been able to hear it.

@greengrassgirl 2w

Excellent first line, leading into an intriguing first verse! Nice work.
I like the analogy, and how you developed it with the soles, the scuffs, the laces...excellent imagery, which adds to the depth of the listening experience. I'd like to hear more songs from you like this.

@cindyrella 2w

This kind of threw me-at first. But how creative! I really like everything about it!

@billwhite51 2w

at first,it seems like an absurd concept..that one can look back and understand ones life by gazing at their shoes. yet you pull it off, and through your many example prove that yes, it is possible to read ones life story in a pair of shoes (though it is more likely that you would need to go through many more than just one pair of shoes to get the whole story). this song is a lot of fun.

@sheslin 2w

I had never heard of shoegaze before FAWM and found I really like the genre. What a cool song concept! This lyrics are really deep - wow - and so tightly written to your theme. I also liked the "Oh, the places we could go" line in the bridge - very relatable to most of us who have kids. I like the lyrical pacing and your melodic choices. I love the production and all the transitions are so well done - especially the ones where you overlapped on the vocals. I listened twice I enjoyed it so much!

@chill4matt 2w

Nice chorus voicing. Your words come alive when sung in every style you take on!

@markfulwider 2w

Wow! This is really good! Love that lead warble effect that you have in there a few times…love the melody…chord changes…vocal cadence changes and finally the lyrics. I had the idea when I clicked on it that at would be a funny cute song, but was very impressed to find it to be a really well written song about self reflection, self honesty and the very real “scuffs” this life hands us! But our “shoes” continue to carry us through it…albeit a bit worn…but through none the less. Thank you and many blessings!

@sbs 2w

Nice write! Maybe best ever! Love the opening vox effect used throughout and the percussive builds - more electronic than you usually do. Your creativity is on fire this year!