James McMurtry：Meaning of Storekeeper Songmeaning

The song Storekeeper by James McMurtry is about a shopkeeper who has had enough of a certain customer who keeps on taking advantage of him and his store. The chorus of the song refers to the "no shoes, no shirt, no service" rule that many businesses have in place, indicating that the customer in question has been breaking this rule repeatedly. The shopkeeper sings about how the customer's behavior, as well as his friends' behavior, make him nervous and uncomfortable. He also mentions that he doesn't need the customer's "barefoot blues" and that he keeps his shoes well-maintained. The second verse of the song suggests that the customer has been charging items to his account without paying them off, causing the shopkeeper to lose his patience and demand that the customer pay up. The third verse seems to indicate that the customer has also been stealing from the shopkeeper. In the end, the shopkeeper has had enough and kicks the customer, as well as his friends, out of his store. Overall, the song is a commentary on the difficulties that shopkeepers face when dealing with difficult customers who take advantage of their generosity and patience.