It’s a jingle that’s been stuck in my head for many years: “E.T. Shoes by Buster Brown. E.T. Shoes by Buster Brown!” Over and over. Could it be? Shoes with E.T. on them? And made by shoe maker Buster Brown? Really?
Naturally, in order to find out what the deal was, I turned to Google. Were there really E.T. shoes? Yes: in 1982, Buster Brown licensed E.T. (who didn’t?) to appear on a line of shoes for kids. Were there photos of said shoes available, preferably so I can mock them on the Ping? No.
So, I now have to find a pair of E.T. shoes. But before I do please, let me know I’m not alone in remembering these shoes – and let me know that there were plenty more licensed shoes. Because you know someone had to make Muppet Babies shoes, too.
Posted in Childhood Memories
Derek Ambrose September 16, 2006, 7:20 pm
Yes, I too am saddled with this jingle in my head. The actual lyrics I remember are: “ET shoes come off the ground. ET shoes from Buster Brown.” and the commercial had kids running into the air after Elliot and ET on their flying bicycle.
Deejy B. June 18, 2007, 6:59 pm
I found your website because I ‘Googled’ E.T. shoes from Buster Brown and came to your page. This damn song has been in my head since I was in elementary school and still currently is……and I’m 37 years old now. Talk about marketing in action!
Also, I remember Pac-Man cereal very well, (basically Capt’n Crunch with different shapes)and the cartoon show on Saturday mornings (I watched this when I stuffed the newspapers before delivering them on my paper route)
I also remember the ‘coffee achievers’ TV commericials. “Be a coffee achiever!” There was a football player running down the field in the middle of a game when the camera pans over to the coach and staff and one of them is drinking a cup of coffee and holds it up to view. Hmmm….maybe I watched too much TV in my day….
Great memories
Vinnie May 27, 2008, 3:34 am
Another googler here. Yep, there were indeed E.T. shoes — I had a pair of brown boots with little pictures of E.T. on the sides. And YES, that damned jingle is still etched in my brain 26 years later… otherwise I wouldn’t be here!
Rob May 27, 2008, 11:30 pm
You are not alone!
margo June 5, 2008, 11:37 pm
I can do one better- my dad directed the commercial! I remember being on set, and I believe there’s a scene where someone in the shoes was sitting on a hay bale and kids were running past. The shoe model? me.
ml June 19, 2008, 12:19 am
I used to aggravate my cousin with that jingle. Now I want to continue the love and find the actual jingle. Any one know where it can be found? Good luck finding the shoes.
Brian July 14, 2008, 3:58 am
Found this through Google too, after I tried YouTube. I’m 33 and the jingle’s been in my head forever.
Margo, load the video if you have it!!
Tu July 15, 2008, 1:55 pm
There’s a small picture of the shoes on this page:
http://www.brownshoe.com/history/bb-1950.asp
That jingle is insidious!
Jeff August 26, 2008, 3:17 am
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one out there with that jingle STILL in my head after all these years. Marketing genius. It has to be out there somewhere.
80's kid December 7, 2008, 10:28 pm
Not only do I remember them, but I definitely have the proof you need that they existed. My parents taped movies from television when I was little. When I had children of my own, my parents gave me all the old VHS tapes. While watching a christmas special my daughter informed me that she wanted “ET shoes by Buster Brown” for christmas. There is a fantastic commercial in the middle of the old christmas special video tape.
melody February 14, 2009, 3:58 am
I’ve got a pair. size 3 1/2
amanda July 1, 2009, 2:40 pm
I actually still own my pair of e.t. buster brown shoes.
Nick July 29, 2009, 7:25 pm
HA! I’m happy to see I’m not the only one who remembers that catchy jingle! The guy who wrote it can be proud…
jeri July 31, 2009, 4:38 pm
i, too, have a pair of et buster browns – size 7, never worn. oh, and i’d like to sell them! i bot them as a collector’s item – and of course all i’ve collected so far is dust. fortunately, i never heard the jingle!
J August 23, 2009, 3:04 am
How about mine? I wore these – size 6 1/2M. Price on the box is $17.99.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5740_1220241510656_1367470585_30642040_5269092_n.jpg
J August 24, 2009, 3:44 am
This is my own pair of 6 1/2M. $17.99 on the box.
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs134.snc1/5740_1220241510656_1367470585_30642040_5269092_n.jpg
Tammy March 20, 2010, 8:04 pm
Ive looked for something about E.T. shoes all over the internet and cant find anything! I actually have a pair of childs size 3 and a half still in the box! They are in excellent condition! They also have the price tag on the box. It [the box] still looks like new. Let me know if you have any info on these. Thanks!
ang September 5, 2010, 5:15 am
just posted a pair on ebay they do exist, stumbled upon these a ferw years ago and hade to have them. ELLIOT! BEEEEE GOOOOD