With songwriting credits for Ambrose, Cook and Stu, “Barefoot Desert” is a vibrant track about someone walking across the desert without any shoes. The narrator makes it clear that they were told not to go barefoot, but through their own ignorance, they decided to abandon the advice. Now they’re lost without any protection and they only have themselves to blame. “Barefoot Desert” features a bouncy rhythm overlaid with flutes, Mellotron, chimes and bells. The lyrics are primarily sung by Ambrose, though Cook adds some backing vocals.

Liner notes indicate that Ambrose (vocals), Cavs (drums), Cook (guitar/vocals/keyboards/bass) and Stu (Mellotron/keyboards/flute/percussion) played on the song and that it was largely recorded by Cook on his phone with additions done at Flightless by Stu. The track was also mixed by Stu. It was released on December 31st, 2017 as the third song on Gumboot Soup.

“Barefoot Desert” has not been played live.