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Robert Palmer — Sailing Shoes / Hey Julia / Sneakin' Sally
Album: Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley
Avg rating:
6.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1701









Released: 1974
Length: 9:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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There's a lady in a turban
In a cocaine tree
And she does a dance so rhythmically
She's a crying and a singing
Havin' a time
But don't that cocaine tree look fine

But you gotta put on your sailin shoes
Put on your sailin shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin shoes

Doctor, doctor, I feel so bad
This is the worst day I ever had
Have you this misery a very long time?
Well if you if, I'll lay it on the line

But you gotta put on your sailin shoes
Put on your sailin shoes
Everyone will hip hooray
When you put on your sailin shoes

Jedidah
He's got a dime
says he catches more fish every time
Well I've gotta line
If you've got a pole
Well I'll meet you at the fishing hole

But you gotta put on your sailin shoes
Put on your sailin shoes
Everyone will start to cheer
When you put on your sailin shoes

Said, everyone put on
Put on your sailin shoes

---

Hey, hey Julia, you're acting so peculiar
I know I'd never fool you in a million years
A horn section you resemble and your figure makes me tremble
And I sure would like to handle what's between your ears

And you're a temptation to a man
And I could not resist you and I won't if I can
You're so unexpected and whatever you injected
Made me feel how I felt when I sang

Hey, hey Julia you're acting so peculiar
I know I'd never fool you in a million years
You're a strain on my eyeses and you're full of surprises
Love materializes soon as you come near

There's a sensation you create
Robs me off my sleep and I've forgotten the date
My head started spinning soon as you started singing
And like a fish I just froze to the bait

Hey, hey Julia with your crazy sense of humor
You turn fact into rumor soon as you come near
A horn section you resemble and your figure makes me tremble
And I sure would like to handle what's between your ears

You're a temptation to a man
And I could not resist you and I won't if I can
You're so unexpected and whatever you injected
Made me feel how I felt when I sang

Julia, you're a danger just like giving sweets to strangers
And I think it's time I took you in hand

---

Sneakin' Sally through the alley
Trying to keep her out of sight
Sneakin' Sally through the alley
When up pops the wife

I said, "I can't find nothing wrong with being friends
'Coz sometimes she lets me use the car"
She said,"If you can't find nothing wrong with your mind
You better, you better find something wrong with her, her"

So I began to try to explain
That it just wasn't, just wasn't what she thought
I'd better find something to do with my time
The fact is I've just been caught

Sneakin' Sally through the alley
Trying to get away clean
Sneakin' Sally through the alley
When up pops the queen

Trying to double talk, get myself in trouble talk
Catching myself in lies, catch myself in lies
Mama just looked at me as if I was crazy
She didn't even bat an eye

So I began to try to explain
That it just wasn't, just wasn't what she thought
I'd better find something to do with my time
The fact is just been caught, just been caught
Sneakin', sneakin', sneakin'

Sneakin' Sally through the alley

Sneakin' Sally through the alley
I'm trying to get away clean
Sneakin' through the alley with Sally
When up pops the queen

Sneakin' through the alley with Sally
Sneakin' Sally through the alley
Comments (445)add comment
Help me out? Why the Yacht Rock over Little Feat?
Posted 5 months ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Massively under-rated.  Never stopped innovating and experimenting.   
Posted 5 months ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
Yo. Every fucking time.
Posted 6 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Was just dumbfounded why I never rated this song.
Corrected that problem
Posted 7 months ago by KPC1    [ Reply ]
 lily34 wrote:

i love love love love love this triple song playing.
and that pic of him over there <-- is fab.
he's greatly missed.
i'm so happy i got to see him perform.



Me too !
Posted 7 months ago by lindaurq    [ Reply ]
 dabeyc wrote:

does it bother anyone else that he's off key the entire song?


No, because he isn't.  The backing singer gets a bit pitchy sometimes though.
Posted 7 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
What a fucking shit hot album from a shit hot, sadly missed guy.
Posted 8 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Wow. Fifty years have passed since this came out? My dorm mate used to play this album often back in the day. 
Posted 8 months ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
i love love love love love this triple song playing.
and that pic of him over there <-- is fab.
he's greatly missed.
i'm so happy i got to see him perform.
Posted 9 months ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
I remember reading an ad in NME in London about a band called Vinegar Joe and I went to see them play. Elkie Brooks and Robert Palmer. I bought this album and have listened to it ever since. 
Posted 1 year ago by funkyalfonso    [ Reply ]
This whole album is amazing. Truly. These three songs are great but the whole album is a solid 10 nearly all the way through.
1988, freshman year in college. Attending an off campus party with a crew of dudes who I still know to this day.  This crew was from all over the country and bonded over our shared love of great music. This album is playing. I'd never heard it before and I don't think many had. We only knew Robert Palmer as the "Addicted to Love" and "Simply Irresistible" guy from MTV (i.e. no music cred with us). 
Anyhoodles, the point is that once we tracked down the guy managing the music and got the name of this album, this became the soundtrack for the remainder of that school year and tracks from it were placed on mix tapes for the next decade. 
Posted 2 years ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
I believe Sailing Shoes was penned by Lowell George; Allen Toussaint on Sally. Brilliant!
Posted 3 years ago by johnhdunn3rd    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Which is better: his version or Little feat's?
 
Yes.

Posted 3 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
God this never gets old.
Posted 3 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

Amen, totally.
 Double on that.

Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
This gets a 1.  Little Feat is so much better at these.  And everyone else who's covered them.
Posted 3 years ago by steuss    [ Reply ]
Better than Little Feat. Muchly. 
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
Always a fun listen!
Posted 3 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:
In my book, the most under-rated artiste of all time.  Fabulously talented and inventive.  And he liked a good, long lunch.   
 
Amen, totally.
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
Just realized Hey Julia is like a sped up version of Steve Miller's "The Joker"!
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:

No.
 
Yes.
Posted 3 years ago by steuss    [ Reply ]
 kurtster wrote:

No.
 
Not particularly, but maybe it's because everything about this song is off for me.
Posted 4 years ago by constantine.stephanie148    [ Reply ]
not bad
Posted 4 years ago by Krid    [ Reply ]
Robert Palmer being more Little Feat than Robert Palmer.
Posted 4 years ago by ozzie1313    [ Reply ]
About a week ago the Little Feat version was on RP. I've never been a LF fan, but in 10th grade there was a time that I listened to this album every day. I got a yen for it last week and put it on my turntable for the first time in 30-40 years. 

Thanks for keeping the triplet together, Bill!
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
The bar named "The Nine" next to Cornell University.  Closing time was 1:00 AM.  At 12:50 this medley would come on and you knew it was time to wrap it up and go.  A good way to end the night. 
Posted 4 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
In my book, the most under-rated artiste of all time.  Fabulously talented and inventive.  And he liked a good, long lunch.   
Posted 4 years ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
This song is making me turn off RP because now I just gotta break out the album and listen to the whole damned thing! God I love this album.
Posted 4 years ago by schitfitz    [ Reply ]
Love this!
Posted 4 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Great!  Great!  Great!
Posted 4 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Stevie wonder groove
Posted 4 years ago by nick4    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
I suspect the line " I'd really like to handle what is between your *ears*"
 
He was English, so maybe it's an anagram.
Posted 5 years ago by MattRudely    [ Reply ]
 dabeyc wrote:
does it bother anyone else that he's off key the entire song?
 
No.
Posted 5 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
Some really cheesy/smutty lyrics in this song and with a couple of word substitutions could be really filthy.

I suspect the line " I'd really like to handle what is between your ears" was originally written with a different last word but the record company said.."You can't say that!" so he changed it to "ears".

Maybe...
 
Posted 5 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
All great music, but...how to rate three songs against one song?  I will say that Robert Palmer is underrated in rock and roll.
Posted 5 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
 rgabriel wrote:
Really no hum. {#Frown}
 
really?  No hum here, no ho either....except Sally maybe....and I like this one enough to give it an 8....Long Live RP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

I really wish RP had  a "like" thing  a la Facebook because I like this comment a lot.
 
5 years later and you got your like button!  (which I used to 'thumbs up' your comment just now.....LLRP!!
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
Long Live                                                                                              Radio Paradise 
My rating                                                                                         9 -OUTSTANDING   
Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
 chinaski wrote:
OK, after hearing this for forty two years I gotta say this is some rather clever blue eyed funk with Palmer really belting out the vocals. Wow. Like hearing it for the first time. The Wikipedia on Robert Palmer explains much about the sound:
Island Records signed Palmer to a solo deal in 1974. His first solo album Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1974, was heavily influenced by the music of Little Feat and the funk fusion of The Meters who acted as backing band along with producer/guitarist Lowell George of Little Feat.
 
Thanks chinaski !!!   that there 'splains alot  : )     LOVE IT
Posted 7 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Really no hum. {#Frown}
Posted 7 years ago by rgabriel    [ Reply ]

"Trying to double talk, get myself in trouble talk"

Brilliant gem from Mr. Palmer! 9->10, what was thinking!


Posted 7 years ago by bitbanger    [ Reply ]
Pretty damn good musicians on this. They overshadow Palmer, by a mile
and, if you're wonderin, this is what the "Coastal Elites" were listenin to while snorting boatloads of coke back in the 70s
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
even though it's only once a month or so, it's too much.
Posted 7 years ago by dabeyc    [ Reply ]
Drops Julia for Sally just like that.

Cad. 
Posted 7 years ago by Grammarcop    [ Reply ]
Which is better: his version or Little feat's?

This version never gets respect. It's great evolving song. And it fun...and...hooky.   
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
What a great line:  "When up pops the wife!"
Posted 7 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this song (once or twice a year), I like it a tiny bit more...
Posted 7 years ago by bc    [ Reply ]
What a truly fun song.

Like no other.

Simply.....wonderful!


Posted 7 years ago by number7    [ Reply ]
well it's a little early for me to put on my sailing shoes, I feel like I just took them off
Posted 8 years ago by Delawhere    [ Reply ]
This stuff and small mounds of white powder fueled many late nights on both coasts back then
Posted 8 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
the first of many very good recordings from the late great Robert palmer ! outstanding ! mr palmer over the years proved he could handle many different genres and did them well rip
Posted 8 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
OK, after hearing this for forty two years I gotta say this is some rather clever blue eyed funk with Palmer really belting out the vocals. Wow. Like hearing it for the first time. The Wikipedia on Robert Palmer explains much about the sound:
Island Records signed Palmer to a solo deal in 1974. His first solo album Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1974, was heavily influenced by the music of Little Feat and the funk fusion of The Meters who acted as backing band along with producer/guitarist Lowell George of Little Feat.
Posted 8 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
put on  shoes of your choice.
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
I'll never forget how my college dorm roommate favored this album during the Fall '76 semester.
Posted 8 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
I always got a chuckle out of:  "When up pops the wife."
Posted 8 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
 moodfood wrote:
got a nice Little Feat vibe going on.. {#Good-vibes}

 
That's cause Lowell George wrote Sailing Shoes.  Lowell does it right.
Posted 8 years ago by AhhtheMusic    [ Reply ]
got a nice Little Feat vibe going on.. {#Good-vibes}
Posted 8 years ago by moodfood    [ Reply ]
I really want to like this. Honestly. Too bad I can only give it a 6
Posted 8 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
 Cynaera wrote:
While I like this version well enough (and I love Mr. Palmer's music, may he rest in peace), I still prefer Little Feat.

 
Agreed. And RIP Lowell George, as well.
Posted 8 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
such a great, catchy, hooky, multi-themed, poppy, RnR song.

Gosh, I wish we had more musicians trying this kind of stuff. 
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 Shesdifferent wrote:
Horrid....like nail on a chalkboard.

 

For me, too.  I really do not understand what people are attracted to in this.


Posted 8 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
We miss ya, Robert!
Posted 9 years ago by buddy    [ Reply ]
psd gift from heaven!!! Always loved this brilliant musical art  piece
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 RedGuitar wrote:

Sally is the woman he wants, but can't have.  Julia is the hooker he can have, but doesn't want, hence "sneaking through the alley."  The sailing shoes are the ones belonging to the hooker flying through the air at his head after a particularly disparaging comment he made about her.

 
I really wish RP had  a "like" thing  a la Facebook because I like this comment a lot.
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like barefoot bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  I am grateful for the unbridled adulation from my avid readers...  love these songs...  love this album...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...

 
I am in the church...it's my living room, I'm buck naked, dancing and part of the multitude. Funky off key wailing works here.
Posted 11 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
Horrid....like nail on a chalkboard.
Posted 11 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all over the world like barefoot bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  I am grateful for the unbridled adulation from my avid readers...  love these songs...  love this album...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]


Play that funky music RP....
Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 dabeyc wrote:
does it bother anyone else that he's off key the entire song?

 
yeah
Posted 11 years ago by Verpeiler    [ Reply ]
 rkray wrote:
I would have to say this is really annoying

 
???? This is one of the best covers of this classic I've heard.  Very nicely arranged and produced.  And the Meters cook.
Posted 11 years ago by joelbb    [ Reply ]
I would have to say this is really annoying
Posted 11 years ago by rkray    [ Reply ]
 dabeyc wrote:
does it bother anyone else that he's off key the entire song?
 

Yeah. Painfully awful.
Posted 11 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
upgraded from 7 to 8 on account of that harmonica solo. transports me back to my junior year of high school...
Posted 11 years ago by musicology    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
Do we know who is "Sally"; why she was sneaking; what did Julia have to do with it and were the shoes "sailing shoes" as in shoes worn whilst upon a sail boat, or were they sailing shoes as in the shoes were flying out the window, or possibly were they sailing shoes as if they were Frisbees.  Finally, what three chords were repeated over and over.
 
Sally is the woman he wants, but can't have.  Julia is the hooker he can have, but doesn't want, hence "sneaking through the alley."  The sailing shoes are the ones belonging to the hooker flying through the air at his head after a particularly disparaging comment he made about her.
Posted 11 years ago by RedGuitar    [ Reply ]
 Hannio wrote:


Aw shuddupa you face, mr internet tough guy.
 
Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!!! 
Posted 11 years ago by h8rhater    [ Reply ]
does it bother anyone else that he's off key the entire song?
Posted 11 years ago by dabeyc    [ Reply ]
 (former member) wrote:


marvelous...  let's party!

 
 
In the alley? Or the hotel room? Should we bring our nipples? 

{#Bananapiano} 

 
Posted 12 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
An epic triptych.
Posted 12 years ago by plaid    [ Reply ]
 Misterfixit wrote:
Do we know who is "Sally"; why she was sneaking; what did Julia have to do with it and were the shoes "sailing shoes" as in shoes worn whilst upon a sail boat, or were they sailing shoes as in the shoes were flying out the window, or possibly were they sailing shoes as if they were Frisbees.  Finally, what three chords were repeated over and over.
 
it doesn't matter because it's fantastic.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
Do we know who is "Sally"; why she was sneaking; what did Julia have to do with it and were the shoes "sailing shoes" as in shoes worn whilst upon a sail boat, or were they sailing shoes as in the shoes were flying out the window, or possibly were they sailing shoes as if they were Frisbees.  Finally, what three chords were repeated over and over.
Posted 12 years ago by Misterfixit    [ Reply ]
 jersey_birdman wrote:
just moved this one up....

rated it an 8 so i could move it up...

now a 9.

maybe one day a ____

{#Clap}

live music is better.  bumper stickers should be issued.

cheers 
 
Moved from a 9 to a 10
Posted 12 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
"And I sure would like to handle what's between your ears"

Cool 
Posted 12 years ago by salzburg4321    [ Reply ]
nothing better. love it.
Posted 12 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
PSD
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
just moved this one up....

rated it an 8 so i could move it up...

now a 9.

maybe one day a ____

{#Clap}

live music is better.  bumper stickers should be issued.

cheers 
Posted 12 years ago by jersey_birdman    [ Reply ]
 slr242 wrote:
Love Sally. The refrain gets stuck in my head for days. Good times.
 
Man........ I know how you feel

Posted 12 years ago by mrdak    [ Reply ]
Still an all-out fantastic frenzy of a jam....
Posted 12 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
Love Sally. The refrain gets stuck in my head for days. Good times.
Posted 12 years ago by slr242    [ Reply ]
Pedantically speaking, sailing shoes are different. You want soft non-marking soles and treads that squeegee water without picking up stones or sand grains on shore that would be ground into your deck, and speaking of the deck, the same described soles help keep one firmly planted, better than bare feet. I suppose a side effect is that they are quiet, thus making one Sneaky.


Posted 13 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
Please...make it stop....
Posted 13 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
 martinc wrote:
Great album. Mr. Palmer had many. The players here are basically Little Feat. I stand corrected.. The Meters and Lowell George. This album lead me to discover Little feat as well. 

  Thanks for that. I was wondering why I was hearing 'Feat but seeing Palmer.{#Ask}


Posted 13 years ago by rscherm    [ Reply ]
While I like this version well enough (and I love Mr. Palmer's music, may he rest in peace), I still prefer Little Feat.
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 Webfoot wrote:
Great bass.
 
Indeed.  Worth listening to the first two bits to hear the bassline for Sally.

Posted 13 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
70,s Robert Palmer albums are Awesome.
Especially the ones with Little Feat.

Posted 13 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Perfect for a Friday afternoon. 

"I sure would like to handle what's between your ears . . . " 
Posted 13 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
Palmer.

WAS

BRILLIANT!
Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
LOVED it then as I LOVE it now. Kick ass song, tight band, bring out your dancing shoes and go go go {#Bounce}

Momma just looked at me as if I was crazy, she didn't even bat an eye. ( been there done that)
Posted 13 years ago by DanFHiggins    [ Reply ]
 h8rhater wrote:

Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech!!!!!!  Deal with it.

 

Aw shuddupa you face, mr internet tough guy.


Posted 13 years ago by Hannio    [ Reply ]
Great album. Mr. Palmer had many. The players here are basically Little Feat. I stand corrected.. The Meters and Lowell George. This album lead me to discover Little feat as well. 

Posted 13 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Meh.  Gimme some Feat.

Posted 13 years ago by Xeric    [ Reply ]
Its Friday afternoon before Labor Day. I'm about to put on my Drinkin' Shoes.
Posted 13 years ago by citybiker    [ Reply ]
Haven't heard this on in awhile—always fun.
Posted 13 years ago by vhope1    [ Reply ]
Liked him better with Power Station. Songs were shorter too.{#Frustrated}


Posted 13 years ago by salide    [ Reply ]
Liked this back in the day. I never knew it was Robert Palmer (don't think I really cared...) Still sounds good. And, although I no longer sneak through the alley with Sally... I miss her{#Rolleyes}
Posted 13 years ago by SpamNRice    [ Reply ]
I bought this RP debut album when it came out...and still listen to it. Watching RP and Elkie Brooks live with Vinegar Joe was a blast.
Posted 13 years ago by funkyalfonso    [ Reply ]
Great bass.
Posted 13 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
The Hey Julia part sounds like a bad karaoke night at the Legion .
Posted 13 years ago by btt    [ Reply ]

Yea, this is pretty cool.{#Cool}


Posted 13 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
This one is growing on me.... {#Music}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
Fun medley. But begs for some airtime for a some live Little Feat. And why in the Feat archive, scrape the dust off "The Fan" too.

Posted 13 years ago by dougmbrown    [ Reply ]
It's a grower, from 7 up to an 8! More RP on RP!
Posted 13 years ago by oilydwarf    [ Reply ]
Miss this guy! He died way too young. As many great musicians have :(

Posted 13 years ago by robotbass    [ Reply ]
I find the medley to be a bit long.
Posted 13 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Amazed at the hate for this one.  I gave it a 9!  I love Little Feat too, but Palmer brings something to the party.
Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
Play that funky music white boy!
 
The Meters was his band on this album, oddly—or not—juxtaposed with MSRS backing the Staples.

The Meters

Posted 13 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
This song is the sucks

Posted 13 years ago by Goobber    [ Reply ]
 Bone wrote:
Longest cocaine-driven jam-tune with tone-deaf backup section... ever.
 
the backup singers on Hey Julia sound like they're singing with a different song (maybe a Grateful Dead song with those odd harmonies)!

rest of it's groovy tho.

Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
Gimme a F
Gimme an E
Gimme an A
gimme a T

Nothing better than the real thing!
Posted 13 years ago by marmelock    [ Reply ]
I guess you would have to know Julia.
Posted 13 years ago by FallOutOfWindow    [ Reply ]
Certainly not crazy about Robert Palmer. This I am sure of these days.
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]