Shoeshine Boy
Eddie Kendricks · Other Songs - Eddie Kendricks
Shoeshine boy tryin' to make a livin', you go somewhere
Shoeshine boy where are you gonna be ten years from now
Just move, just keep workin' shoeshine boy
I wanna know are you gonna be the richest man around
You've been a workin' so hard
So many things in life to learn
Shoeshine boy, what will you discover
Though it's a long way up, you'll reach the top
Now when you'll finally get back
Don't forget from where you came shoeshine boy
Workin' so hard in the noon day sun
Just, just keep workin' shoeshine boy
Look at ya now, gettin' it together
Teasing the guys and havin' lots of fun
Shoeshine boy, yeah, don't you know that you're a star
Yeah, you're a star shoeshine boy
Just the way, just the way that you are
You've been a workin' so hard
So many things in life to learn, so much to learn
Shoeshine boy, what will you discover
Yeah, shoeshine boy
Shoeshine boy
You've been a workin' so hard
Shoeshine boy
Don't you know that you're a star
That's the way that you are
Shoeshine Boy
Recorded by Eddie Kendricks, the lead vocalist of The Temptations, this track stands as a testament to his distinctive baritone voice and the group's mid-1960s R&B sensibility. As a solo effort, the song showcases Kendricks' ability to deliver soulful, emotive performances that bridged the gap between Motown's polished production and the raw energy of the Philadelphia soul scene. The composition features a driving rhythm section and a melodic structure typical of the era's pop-soul crossover, emphasizing vocal improvisation and emotional depth. While often associated with the collective sound of The Temptations, this recording highlights Kendricks' individual artistry and his significant contribution to the genre's evolution during the early 1960s.