Nancy Sinatra – These Boots Are Made For Walking – 1966

Introduction:

In 1966, a sassy anthem for female empowerment emerged with the release of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra. This iconic pop song, produced by Lee Hazlewood, became an instant hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and the UK Singles Chart.

These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ marked a turning point in Nancy Sinatra’s career. Prior to this, she was often referred to as “Miss Nancy” and her music leaned towards a more traditional pop style. However, Lee Hazlewood, who not only produced the song but also wrote it with Sinatra in mind, envisioned a different direction for her. He cultivated a tougher, more independent image for her, which was perfectly captured in both the lyrics and musical arrangement of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.

The song’s strong, independent persona resonated with listeners, particularly women, and it has since become a feminist anthem. The lyrics depict a woman who is leaving a cheating partner behind. She’s not interested in his apologies and refuses to be mistreated any longer. The title itself, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, is a metaphor for her newfound freedom and self-reliance. She’s ready to move on and won’t be waiting around for him.

Musically, These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ is a departure from Sinatra’s earlier work. The song features a distinctive opening guitar riff by session musician Billy Strange, which sets the tone for the entire song. It’s a driving, energetic sound that perfectly complements the defiant lyrics. Nancy Sinatra delivers the vocals with a playful confidence that is infectious. Her signature vocals became another recognizable feature of the song.

The impact of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ cannot be overstated. The song’s success helped to solidify Nancy Sinatra’s status as a pop icon and redefine her image. It also became a cultural touchstone, appearing in countless movies, television shows, and commercials. The song’s enduring popularity is further evidenced by the numerous covers by artists across various genres, from country to rock to hip hop. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ continues to be a powerful anthem of female empowerment, inspiring women to stand up for themselves and walk away from unhealthy relationships.

Video:

Lyrics:

You keep sayin’ you’ve 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

These boots are made for walkin’
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you
Ya

You keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’
And you keep losing when you oughta not bet
You keep samin’ when you oughta be a’changin’
Now what’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet

These boots are made for walkin’
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

You keep playin’ where you shouldn’t be playin’
And you keep thinkin’ that you’ll never get burnt (ha)
I just found me a brand new box of matches, yeah
And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn
These boots are made for walkin’
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

Are you ready, boots? Start walkin’