‘New Boots’ by Just Jayne - Lyrics & Meaning

Country music's newest girl group is back at it with sophomore single, 'New Boots.'

Following the explosive release of 'This Morning' in early February, which takes on the female perspective and response to Morgan Wallen's blockbuster hit song, 'Last Night,' the Nashville-based trio are showcasing yet another layer of their artistry, steeped in rich harmonies and all too relatable storytelling that toes the lines of country and pop.

Just Jayne – made up of singer-songwriters Taylor Edwards, Jillian Steele and Rachel Wiggins – unleash their country roots in the new tune, which is laden with southern-singed metaphors.

Named one of Holler's Artists You Need To Know for February, 'New Boots' feels like a subtle shit from their debut single, 'This Morning.'

Where the latter leaned more into the synth-y, track-driven production popular among the genre's heavy hitters, the former take on a much more stripped-back and swaying approach, fit with banjos, acoustic guitars and an organic drum beat.

Written by the three girls alongside Jackson Foote and Sam Ellis, who also produced the track, their luscious three-part harmonies absolutely shine against the more sparse sonic landscape which echoes the comfort that the narrator is so desperately trying to hold on to in the song.

“Some dirt on the bottom
Don’t mean that you toss ‘em
Or let ‘em start walking away
We got too many miles
Drunk 2 AM dials
We just can’t replace

Oh oh my heart’s been broken once or twice
I know what starting over’s like
So what the soles wearing through
Boy I don’t know about you”

As you can probably guess, this song is actually not about boots, but instead a relationship that's been through its share of ups, downs and weathered miles, all told through metaphors of a trusty pair of boots.

The girls explain that just because things might get hard or messy, that doesn't mean that you just give up and throw it away.

There's too many memories tied up in that person to call it quits so easy, and our narrator has been through her own fair share of heartbreak and she's not looking to start over again with someone new.

“I don’t want new boots
They never fit quite right
Old knew me better than new ones could ever
Ain’t nothing like something familiar
Don’t wanna start again
Breaking new leather in
Time will do what it do
To tell you the truth
They just don’t make ‘em like you
I don't want new boots”

Continuing the conversation about boots as a partner, the chorus underlines that they don't want to have to go through get getting a new pair and having to break them in, knowing that they'll never quite be the right fit.

Instead, she'd rather stick with the boots–or guy–that she knows and who already feels like home, explaining that it's too hard to start from scratch with someone else and that no one will ever be able to compare to who she has right now anyway.

“Kissing a new guy
Who don’t fill your shoes right
I wish I didn’t wish he was you
Cause I tried him on
But the feeling’s all wrong
Yeah, he’s sweet but he don’t got a clue”

The second verse finds our narrator talking directly to her old flame as she tells him that simply no one can ever measure up to him.

Regardless of who she meets or what "boots" she tries on, she keeps finding herself wishing she had the love that she lost.

"I don’t want new boots
They never fit quite right
Old knew me better than new ones could ever
Ain’t nothing like something familiar
Don’t wanna start again
Breaking new leather in
Time will do what it do
To tell you the truth
They just don’t make ‘em like you
I don't want new boots"

Some dirt on the bottom
Don’t mean that you toss ‘em
Or let ‘em start walking away
We got too many miles
Drunk 2 AM dials
We just can’t replace

Oh oh my heart’s been broken once or twice
I know what starting over’s like
So what the soles wearing through
Boy I don’t know about you

I don’t want new boots
They never fit quite right
Old knew me better than new ones could ever
Ain’t nothing like something familiar
Don’t wanna start again
Breaking new leather in
Time will do what it do
To tell you the truth
They just don’t make ‘em like you
I don't want new boots

Kissing a new guy
Who don’t fill your shoes right
I wish I didn’t wish he was you
Cause I tried him on
But the feeling’s all wrong
Yeah, he’s sweet but he don’t got a clue

I don’t want new boots
They never fit quite right
Old knew me better than new ones could ever
Ain’t nothing like something familiar
Don’t wanna start again
Breaking new leather in
Time will do what it do
To tell you the truth
They just don’t make ‘em like you
I don't want new boots

Maybe the writing’s written on the wall
I never thought I’d take you off
So what the soles wearing through
But boy I don’t know about you

I don’t want new boots
They never fit quite right
Old knew me better than new ones could ever
Ain’t nothing like something familiar
Don’t wanna start again
Breaking new leather in
Time will do what it do
To tell you the truth
They just don’t make ‘em like you
I don't want new boots

Maybe the writing’s written on the wall

––

For more on Just Jayne, see below: