One of my favorite tunes from back in the mid-sixties, when I listened to Kirk Wilde, Gary Shannon and Harvey Brown on KPUG, was “Barefootin'” by Robert Parker. Parker was born in Mobile, but he grew up in New Orleans. In his early years Parker was better known for his sax than his singing. He played sax for the legendary musician Professor Longhair on the Professor’s 1949 hit “Mardi Gras In New Orleans.” Parker played sax with the best known New Orleans’ performers including Fats Domino and Irma Thomas.
In the early ’60s, Parker experienced some lean years and had to take jobs outside the music industry. Then he wrote “Barefootin’.” It was released on Nola Records (a New Orleans label), and it peaked in June 1966 — reaching No.2 on the U.S. Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart and No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Outside the US, it went to No.7 in Canada and No.24 on the UK Singles Chart. “Barefootin'” sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Parker had another minor R&B hit (No. 48) with “Tip Toe” but he never had another smash hit. Parker continued to perform and tour for many more years, and he remained very popular in the UK. Parker died in January of this year (2020).
I don’t know the source of the video or what TV show it came from, but it is a fun and nostalgic soulful performance. Click twice on the video link below…first time to go to Vimeo, the second time to start the video.
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October 28, 2020 at QZVX
Jack D. Bell says:
I think I have confused Robert Parker with Junior Parker!…anyway, the thought of dancing barefoot with other people really grossed me out…IMO, feet are ugly, smelly human appendages…thank God we mostly wear shoes!
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
Jack,
As long as you don’t confuse Candy Samples with Junior Samples, you should be okay.
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Jack D. Bell says:
The fact that you know of Candy Samples, gives me a strange feeling of being in an obscure cult of elderly perverts!…Makes my day, actually.
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Jack…..you need to just groove to the beat and not think about smelly feet. I have seen some ladies who looked pretty good barefoot or in thongs back when thongs were something you wore on your feet.
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Dick…I recalled Junior but not Candy. Looked her up. Jack is correct you are leaning perv.
October 31, 2020 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
When in doubt, consult your dog, Jack!
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7f/7a/6c/7f7a6c66dc5ef38f843a9ecb7cbf3f1d.jpg
October 31, 2020 at QZVX
Jack D. Bell says:
In my next life, I will be that dog!
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
John Fortmeyer says:
For some unknown reason, this song REALLY bugged my dad when I was a kid, which was unusual because he was not a complaining type of person. But he would grumble every time the song came on. He thought it was stupid.
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven L. Smith says:
It was one of the first songs they were playing when I first listened to the radio. I do not know why but, forever, I cannot get the line out of my head about “Hey little girl with your red dress on.”
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
Careful, Steve, your mind is wandering!
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
“In the early ’60s, Parker experienced some lean years and had to take jobs outside the music industry.”
I think all who loiter here can all identify with that. Show of hands?
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Hey little man with your red dress on…can you balance my rear tires? Is that what you mean, Dick?
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Dick Ellingson says:
Hey little man with your red dress on…now that you’ve unboxed my new stove and refrigerator…didn’t they tell you the kitchen’s one floor up…the stairs are right over there just behind the furnace…sorry I didn’t get around to getting the clothes off the line…just move whatever’s in the way…and don’t scratch anything…
October 29, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Dick…I bet that made the little man in the red dress get pretty steamed up.
October 31, 2020 at QZVX
Steven Smith says:
Jack…you old dog you. Are you saying you like those bare feet?
October 31, 2020 at QZVX
Jack D. Bell says:
No….that will be my Karmic Retribution, for being such a misanthrope in this life!
November 1, 2020 at QZVX
Steven L. Smith says:
Jack…thanks for the clarification.
November 15, 2020 at QZVX
Estoy Listo says:
Ain’t got no shoes on!
November 15, 2020 at QZVX
Steven L. Smith says:
Tell that to the little girl with the red dress on.