«Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes» is a song written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes and recorded by American country music singer George Jones. It was released in June 1985 as the first single and title track from the album Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes. The song peaked at number three on the Hot Country Singles chart.
Jones sings of the irreplacibility of country music legends including Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Roy Acuff, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, and Lefty Frizzell.
Eugene Chadbourne of Allmusic describes the song as «the kind of mystical, self-serving necrophilia that country music is all about». Jones biographer Bob Allen states, «It struck a strong enough chord of empathy with old-time country music lovers to end up number three in Billboard.»
From the album Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes
B-side «A Whole Lot of Trouble for You»
Released June 8, 1985
Genre Country
Length 3:16
Label Epic 05439
Songwriter(s) Max D. Barnes Troy Seals
Producer(s) Billy Sherrill
George Jones – Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes Lyrics
You know this old world is full of singers
But just a few are chosen
To tear your heart out when they sing
Imagine life without them
All your, radio heros
Like the outlaw that walks through Jesse’s dream
No, there will never be another
Red-headed stranger
A Man in Black and Folsom Prison Blues
The Okie from Muskogee
Or Hello Darling
Lord I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes
[Chorus:]
Who’s gonna fill their shoes
Who’s gonna stand that tall
Who’s gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who’s gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes
God bless the boys from Memphis
Blue Suede Shoes and Elvis
Much too soon he left this world in tears
They tore up the Fifties
Old Jerry Lee and Charlie
And old Go Cat Go still echoes through the years
You know the heart of country music
Still beats in Luke the Drifter
You can tell when hew sings I Saw the Light
Old Marty, Hank and Lefty
Why I can feel them right here with me
On this Silver Eagle rolling through the night
[Chorus:]
Who’s gonna fill their shoes
Who’s gonna stand that tall
Who’s gonna play the Opry
And the Wabash Cannonball
Who’s gonna give their heart and soul
To get to me and you
Lord I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes
Yes I wonder, who’s gonna fill their shoes?..
