THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

978-Nancy Sinatra-These Boots Are Made for Walkin’

1966-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 2.27. For those with a boot fetish this is the anthem, especially if they are ‘Kinky.’

Nancy Sandra Sinatra was born on June 8th, 1940, in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, she is the daughter of Frank Sinatra, (1915-1998) (see also best songs 877-567-469-120 and 73) and his first wife Nancy Barbato (1917-2018.) Nancy Sinatra began her career as a singer and an actress when appearing on her father’s American ‘ABC’ television variety series in November 1957. Running alongside her music career, Sinatra also appeared in eight feature films between 1964-1968, including ‘Marriage on the Rocks,’ (1965) which starred Frank Sinatra, and ‘Speedway,’ (1968) which starred Elvis Presley (1935-1977.)

The discography of Nancy Sinatra includes 13 studio Albums released between 1966-2013, plus three collaborative Albums with Lee Hazlewood, (1929-2007) (see also best songs 1010-367 and 124) there is also ‘The Sinatra Family Wish You a Merry Christmas,’ Album, that was recorded with Frank Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Jr. (1944-2016) and Tina Sinatra in 1968, and a 1981 Album ‘Mel & Nancy,’ with the American Country music singer Mel Tillis (1932-2017.) There have also been 72 singles issued between 1961-2021, with 10 of those reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 40, of which two made Number 1, this song in 1966, and the duet with Frank Sinatra on ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ in 1967. In the UK Nancy Sinatra has reached the top 40 on nine occasions, with the same two singles both making Number 1.

‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ was written and produced by Lee Hazlewood, and was the second single issued from Nancy Sinatra’s debut studio Album ‘Boots,’ from March 1966. The song provided the commercial breakthrough for Nancy Sinatra, after all of her previous 12 singles had failed to chart in America. There are two stories as to where Lee Hazlewood got the idea for the song, one is that he took it from a line spoken by Frank Sinatra in the 1963 comedy-western film, where Sinatra says,’They tell me them boots ain’t built for walkin.’ Hazlewood has also told the tale where he was in a Texas bar when some patrons started ‘razzing’ an older guy about his younger girlfriend, and how she controlled him. The man responded by putting his feet on a bar stool and saying, ‘I know what you think, that she might be the boss, but I am the boss of my house, and these boots will walk all over her the day that I’m not.’ Lee Hazlewood had intended to record the song himself, but Nancy Sinatra talked him out of it by telling him that,’Coming from a guy it was harsh and abusive, but was perfect for a little girl to sing.’ In later years Nancy Sinatra came to regret singing the song, saying in 1971,’The image created by ‘Boots’ isn’t the real me. ‘Boots’ was hard, and I’m as soft as they come.’

‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ was arranged and conducted by Billy Strange, (1930-2012) who would also go on to work on many of Nancy Sinatra’s future recordings, he also played guitar on the track. The songs iconic opening ‘walking’ bass-line, was played by Chuck Berghofer on the double bass, with members of the ‘Wrecking Crew’ also in attendance (see also best songs 846-811-744-672-660-527-486-262-202-197-192-180-127 and 71.) The song can also boast one of the most memorable promotional films of the 1960’s, a very early precursor to what would become a songs video. The film was recorded in colour, and features Nancy Sinatra miming to the song in black boots, performing a choreographed dance with six other female dancers, who are also all wearing black boots.

‘These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ is a song about a romantic relationship which has come to an end because he has cheated on her, but rather than cry and feel sorry for herself, she warns him to watch his back, because she can take revenge at anytime she wishes.

‘You keep sayin’ you got somethin’ for me, somethin’ you call love but confess. You’ve been a’messin’ where you shouldn’t ‘ve been a’messin,’ and now someone else is getting all your best.’