"Walk a Mile in My Shoes" is a song written by Joe South, who had a hit with it in 1970. South was also producer and arranger of the track and of its B-side, "Shelter." The single was credited to "Joe South and the Believers"; the Believers included his brother Tommy South and his sister-in-law Barbara South.
The song's highest position on the Billboard Hot 100 was #12, which was also its highest position in the Cashbox chart. It also reached highs of #56 country and #3 Adult Contemporary in Billboard, and it made #10 in the RPM chart in Canada. It was South's second and final record to reach the top 20 of the Billboard chart. It also reached the Top 20 in Australia.
The song concerns racial tolerance and the need for perspective and compassion.
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| Chart (1970)
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Rank
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| Australia [6]
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154
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| U.S. Cash Box [7]
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95
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Notable covers and references
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- Elvis Presley, on his 1970 live album On Stage
- Willie Hightower, as a single in 1970 (also included on the Honest Jon's 2004 compilation album simply titled Willie Hightower), originally produced by Rick Hall at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
- Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne as part of an hour-long television special
- Cliff Waldron, on his 1970 bluegrass album Right On
- Bob Andy, in a 1970 reggae cover
- Ray Stevens, on his 1970 album Everything Is Beautiful
- Billy Eckstine, on his 1971 album Feel the Warm
- Marion Montgomery, on her 1972 album Marion in the Morning
- Jerry Lee Lewis, on his 1972 album The Killer Rocks On
- People's Temple Choir, on their 1973 album He's Able[8]
- Bryan Ferry, on his 1974 album Another Time, Another Place[9]
- De Dijk, on their 2002 album Muzikanten dansen niet (Dutch version of the song)
- Greg Page, included in his 2004 Nashville concert
- Coldcut, on their 2006 album Sound Mirrors, featuring vocals from Robert Owens
- Otis Clay, on his 2007 album Walk a Mile in My Shoes
- Kentucky Headhunters, on their 2011 album Midnight Special
- Lake Street Dive, as part of a 2020 Ad Council campaign encouraging a more welcoming nation[10]
