As a record collector, I went out and hunted down a lot of my favorites but obviously came nowhere near getting them all. These are some of the favorites that I didn’t own at the time.
“Hole in My Shoe” is a song by English rock band Traffic featuring a spoken-word midsection by Chris Blackwell[1]‘s stepdaughter, Francine Heimann, in which she tells a little story about a giant albatross. It was released as a single in 1967 and reached number 2 in the UK Singles Chart, number 22 in the German charts, and number 4 in Canada.
Musicians
- Jim Capaldi – drums, backing vocals
- Dave Mason – lead vocals, guitar, Mellotron, sitar
- Steve Winwood – Hammond organ, bass guitar, piano, backing vocals
- Chris Wood – flute, backing vocals
- Francine Heimann – spoken word
The song was recorded for Traffic’s debut album Mr. Fantasy in 1967. The success of the first single, “Paper Sun” encouraged record executive Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, to release a follow-up single quickly, and he chose “Hole in My Shoe” (written and sung by Mason) as the most likely candidate among the songs Traffic had recorded so far.
It became an even bigger hit than “Paper Sun,” almost topping the British charts in October, but that didn’t sit well with Winwood, who felt it was unrepresentative of the sound he wanted for Traffic. Eddie Kramer[2] was the engineer and Jimmy Miller[3] was the producer. This psychedelic song was written by guitarist Dave Mason, who played sitar on the track.
That’s the first song I ever wrote. It was my first attempt at songwriting. I mean, that stuff I did back then, when I listen to it, I cringe and realize I need to work on writing. But writing comes out of living. You have to have something.
Dave Mason
Depending on your state of mind, you might find some weighty meaning in the song, but Mason says he was just writing down random thoughts in the style of a nursery rhyme. He also insists that he hadn’t tried LSD when he wrote it. The B-side was the non-album track “Smiling Phases” written by Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood. The two songs were not included in the original UK release but were both on the original US version of the album.
Both tracks are also on the 2 CD set Traffic Gold released in 2005. In 1984 Neil (AKA actor Nigel Planer) recorded a humorous cover of “Hole in My Shoe”, which again fell one place short of topping the UK charts. Neil was a hippie character played by Nigel Planer in the BBC comedy series The Young Ones and there was a great deal of comic potential in Planer’s hippie student singing about the “hole in my shoe letting in water.”
"Hole In My Shoe"
I looked to the sky
Where an elephant's eye
Was looking at me
From a bubblegum tree
And all that I knew
The hole in my shoe
Was letting in water (letting in water)
I walked through a field
That just wasn't real
Where 100 tin soldiers
Would shoot at my shoulder
And all that I knew
The hole in my shoe
Was letting in water (letting in water)
(I climbed on the back of a giant albatross
Which flew through a crack in the cloud
To a place where happiness reigned all year round
Where music played ever so loudly)
I started to fall
And suddenly woke
And the dew on the grass
It stuck to my coat
And all that I knew
The hole in my shoe
Was letting in water (letting in water)
Footnotes
- Chris Blackwell is a Jamaican-British record executive and entrepreneur known for founding Island Records, a prominent record label that played a pivotal role in the development of reggae and popularizing Jamaican music globally. Born on June 22, 1937, in London, Blackwell grew up in Jamaica, where he developed a deep love and appreciation for the island’s vibrant music scene. In 1959, he founded Island Records, initially focusing on promoting Jamaican artists such as Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley. Blackwell’s visionary approach and keen business acumen propelled Island Records to great success, eventually expanding its roster to include artists like U2, Grace Jones, and Amy Winehouse. With his international perspective and commitment to nurturing talent, Blackwell left an indelible mark on the music industry and contributed to the global recognition of reggae and other diverse genres. [Back]
- Eddie Kramer is a renowned music engineer and producer known for his exceptional work with iconic rock musicians. Born on April 19, 1942, in Cape Town, South Africa, Kramer began his career in the UK during the 1960s. He gained recognition for his innovative techniques and collaborations with legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and many others. Kramer’s distinctive approach to engineering, characterized by his meticulous attention to detail and emphasis on capturing the essence of a live performance, contributed to the creation of some of rock music’s most iconic recordings. His expertise in blending various musical elements and pushing the boundaries of sound engineering made him a highly sought-after figure in the industry. With his extensive discography and lasting impact on rock music, Eddie Kramer solidified his status as one of the most influential music engineers of all time. [Back]
- Jimmy Miller was an influential music producer known for his significant contributions to the sound and success of numerous rock albums during the 1960s and 1970s. Born on March 23, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Miller rose to prominence while working with The Rolling Stones as their producer during their most acclaimed period. He played a vital role in shaping the band’s signature sound, particularly on albums like “Beggars Banquet,” “Let It Bleed,” and “Sticky Fingers.” Miller’s production style often incorporated elements of blues, R&B, and soul, bringing a raw and energetic quality to the recordings. In addition to his work with The Rolling Stones, he also produced albums for other notable artists such as Traffic, Blind Faith, and Primal Scream. Jimmy Miller’s unique production techniques and ability to capture the essence of the music left an indelible mark on the rock genre. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Hole in My Shoe” https://www.songfacts.com/facts/traffic/hole-in-my-shoe
- “Hole in My Shoe” https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/traffic/holeinmyshoe.html
- “Traffic” https://www.allmusic.com/artist/traffic-mn0000012472/biography
- “Traffic – Hole In My Shoe / Smiling Phases” https://www.discogs.com/master/69009-Traffic-Hole-In-My-Shoe-Smiling-Phases
- “Traffic (Traffic album)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_(Traffic_album)
