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These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

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"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Song
B-side"The City Never Sleeps at Night"

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is a pop song written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded by Nancy Sinatra. It was released in February 1966 and hit #1 in the United States and United Kingdom Pop charts.

Subsequently, many cover versions of the song have been released in a range of styles: metal, pop, rock, punk rock, country, dance, and industrial (see selected list below). Jessica Simpson made #14 in the United States in 2005 with her version based on the movie, The Dukes of Hazzard. Geri Halliwell and Jewel also released remakes of the song.

Nancy Sinatra version

Recording

Nancy Sinatra was encouraged by Lee Hazlewood to sing the song as if she were a sixteen-year-old girl giving the brush-off to a forty-year-old man. Sinatra's recording of the song was made with the help of notable Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. This session included Hal Blaine on drums, Al Casey, Tommy Tedesco, Billy Strange and Mike Deasy on guitars, Ollie Mitchell, Roy Caton and Lew McCreary on horns, Carol Kaye on electric bass, and Chuck Berghofer on double bass, providing the notable bass line.

According to Carol Kaye, "Arranger Billy Strange believed in using the two basses together. Producer Lee Hazlewood asked Chuck to put a sliding run on the front of the tune. Chuck complied by playing notes about three tones apart (4-6 frets apart), but Lee stopped the take. 'No Chuck, make your sliding notes closer together', and that is what you hear."[citation needed]

According to Al Casey, "Well, Lee and I had been friends forever, and he said, 'I've got this song I'm working on, and I want the guitar to play this.' And he showed me, because there's a little bit more than banging on an 'E-chord', which is what most people do. There's more to it than that. He said, 'I want you to do this on the song,' and he sang the song and played the rhythm guitar lick, and I went 'Oh, that's cute!', little suspecting it was gonna be huge."[citation needed]

The album Boots which featured the single

Release

The second single taken from her debut album Boots, and follow-up to the minor hit "So Long, Babe," the song became an instant success. In late February 1966, the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a move it replicated in similar charts across the world.

When the single was first released, some thought it had to do with the subway strike in New York.[citation needed] That same year, Sinatra recorded an early music video for the song. It was produced by Color-Sonics, and played on Scopitone video jukeboxes. In 1986, for the song's twentieth anniversary, cable station VH1 played this music video.

During television news coverage in 1966/67, the song was aired as a soundtrack as the cameras focused on US Infantrymen on patrol during the Vietnam War. Later, during that same time frame, Sinatra traveled to South Vietnam to perform for U.S. servicemen. It was used on the soundtrack to Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987). Sinatra also sang it on an episode of China Beach in the late-1980s. In 2005, Paul Revere & the Raiders recorded a revamped version of the song using Sinatra's original vocal track. It appeared on the CD Ride to the Wall, Vol. 2, with proceeds going to help Vietnam veterans.

In addition, the Fembots were introduced to the strains of the opening and closing notes of the song in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

In 2006, Pitchfork Media selected it as the 114th best song of the 1960s. Critic Tom Breihan described the song as "maybe the finest bitchy kiss-off in pop history".[1]

Goodyear Tire and Rubber used portions of the song for its 1960s' ad campaign promoting its "wide boots" tires. Nancy Sinatra unsuccessfully sued Goodyear for using the song, claiming that it had violated her publicity rights.[2]

The song is featured in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode #9.24 "All In", air date May 14, 2009.

The song is mentioned by title in The Stone Roses' song "Fools Gold" ("These boots were made for walking/The Marquis de Sade don't wear no boots like these").

Charts

Chart (1966) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 1
UK Singles Chart 1
Australia Kent Music Report 1

Operation Ivy version

Hardcore ska-punk band Operation Ivy covered the song, titled "One Of These Days" on their only LP, Energy. Fast-paced and ska-style, the song has yelled vocals by Jesse Michaels.

Dika Newlin version

In the 1995 documentary film Dika: Murder City, the 74-year-old Dika Newlin, dressed in leather and backed by the band Apocowlypso, performed a punk rock version of the song in a concert sequence.[3]

Megadeth version

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Song

Megadeth covered the song on their 1985 debut album Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good!, which is track four on the original release, and eight on the 2002 re-release. Their version was more of a parody than a cover, featuring alternate lyrics and titled "These Boots" on the release.

When the album started selling well, the writer of the song, Lee Hazlewood, began demanding that the song be omitted, due to its being a "perversion of the original". Dave Mustaine made the point that Hazlewood had been paid royalties for years before his complaint, but eventually omitted the song anyway. A censored version of the track can be found on the album's 'deluxe edition' released in 2002.

Jessica Simpson version

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Song

Jessica Simpson recorded her own version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (and added her own lyrics) for the soundtrack to the film The Dukes of Hazzard (2005). Simpson's cover was co-produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005). It became Simpson's fifth top-twenty single in the United States and its music video drew some controversy because of its sexual imagery.[4][5]

The song was listed at #90 on ARIA Charts: Best of All Time - Singles[6]

Recording and release

Simpson's version of the song is performed from the point of view of her character in The Dukes of Hazzard, Daisy Duke, and it has several major differences from Sinatra's version. The song's lyrics were changed almost completely as Simpson felt that they did not accurately convey the feelings needed for the film; in the original Sinatra dealt with a cheating boyfriend, while in the new version Simpson explored Daisy Duke's personality and experiences. She rewrote the majority of the lyrics herself, although some elements were retained such as the opening line "You keep saying you got something for me..." and the spoken "Are you ready, boots? Start walkin'".

Simpson also added some new music to her version of the song. Whereas the original version did not have a bridge, she created one for the cover. A risqué rap-like/spoken breakdown was added after the bridge. Because of the legalities of songwriting, Simpson has not been credited for the new music or lyrics that she wrote. The production of the song was altered as well. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis gave the cover a country-inspired production because of its relationship to the film The Dukes of Hazzard, but they also added a more hip hop-like beat. "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is the production duo's second song to contain elements of country music, after Janet Jackson's "Someone to Call My Lover."

In an interview with GAC Nights, Jessica stated that her record label did not want to promote the song because of its country feel, even though the song is more pop than country. She said that she told the label "It's a great song and Willie Nelson's on it with me" and she said the label told her pop radio wouldn't understand that importance.[citation needed]

Chart Performance

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" peaked at fourteen on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and in late 2005 the RIAA certified the single Gold for 500,000 legal downloads or more. Its digital downloads were high, but radio airplay was low. It reached the top ten on Billboard's Pop 100 chart, and was Simpson's first single to appear on the chart. On 11 December 2006 the single was certified Gold by the RIAA again, this time by Epic Records. In total, the single has received 1 million digital downloads.

Internationally, was a success, reaching top 5 in several European countries. It became her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number two and remained in the top forty for twenty-four weeks. In Ireland was another biggest hit peaking the number 2. The song also cracked the top five in the UK, where it reached number four and is to date, her highest peaking single in that territory. It reached the top ten in the chart European Hot 100 Singles, Belgium, and New Zealand and the top twenty in Austria, Switzerland and Germany.

Music video

The video, directed by Brett Ratner, has caused some controversy because of its sexual imagery. The scene was well publicized, with Simpson admitting to the public and the media that she went on the South Beach diet to achieve her well toned look in the video. Because of its sexual imagery, the music video is banned in all Middle Eastern and North African nations except Algeria, Israel, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey. In Malaysia, it was eventually edited with some of the scenes removed.

The video begins with Simpson (as Daisy Duke) climbing out of the General Lee (the famous car owned by the Duke family) into a bar. Simpson, a waitress at the bar, flirts with customers as she grinds and dances on the bar stand, and shakes her ass to a customer. After another customer spanks her ass, Simpson smiles and turns to the customer acting as if she likes it. She then says the verse "You believe you've stopped me for a reason"..."Now I'm pretending my bending's (bends over and rubs her ass against his groin) just for fun"..."These double DDs (breasts)". She then punches him and the man's fall causes a fight to break out between the bar patrons. Unfazed, Simpson sings the song with the assistance of Willie Nelson on guitar and backup vocals, and several female dancers join her during the song's "Can I get a handclap..." spoken/rapped breakdown. After recovering from their injuries, the men join Simpson and the dancers in a line dance. This scene is intercut with shots of a figure entering a barn, and at the video's end it is revealed the figure is Simpson wearing nothing but a skin-tight, revealing pink bikini. She then grinds and washes the General Lee. The music video also features Jessica Simpson belly dancing. It was parodied as "The Dukes Are Not Worth Watching" by MADtv, with Nicole Parker portraying Simpson.

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[7] 2
Austrian Singles Chart[8] 12
Belgian Ultratop 50 Singles (Flanders)[9] 10
Belgian Ultratop 40 Singles (Wallonia) 14
Dutch Top 40 35
European Hot 100 Singles[10] 7
German Singles Chart 17
Ireland Singles Chart[11] 2
Mexican Top Singles 20
Netherlands Mega Single Top 100[12] 27
New Zealand Singles Chart 10
Romanian Top 100[13] 81
Swiss Singles Chart 16
UK Singles Chart[14] 4
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[15] 14
U.S. Billboard Pop 100 12
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play 35
U.S. Billboard Top 40 Mainstream 34

Annual Charts

Country Position
Australia ARIA Charts (2005)[16] 16
Australia ARIA Charts (2006)[17] 85
Ireland Singles Chart[18] 19
UK Singles chart[19] 78
US Hot Digital Songs[20] 60
US Pop 100[21] 99

Certifications

Country Certification Sales
Australia[22] Platinum 70,000
UK[23] 69,500
U.S.[24]
  • Gold (Columbia)
  • Gold (Epic)
 1,000,000

Versions

  1. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Soundtrack Version) 4:00
  2. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Original Version) 4:12
  3. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Radio Edit) 3:41
  4. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Instrumental) 3:41
  5. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Scott Storch Mix) 4:43
  6. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (E-Smoove Vocal Mix) 6:59
  7. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Bimbo Jones Vocal Club Mix) 6:00
  8. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit) 3:14
  9. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Bimbo Jones Dub) 6:03
  10. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Ed n' Richie Club Mix) 5:16
  11. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Gomi & Escape's Club Mix) 9:05
  12. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Gomi & Escape Mix) 9:03
  13. These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Gomi & Escape's Dub) 6:13

Selected list of recorded versions

Parodies

  • In an episode of Pinky and the Brain, Pinky sang a spoof titled "These Fins Are Made For Swimmin'".
  • In 2006 Miss Piggy sang a parody called "These Bites Are Made For Poppin" for a Pizza Hut commercial.
  • Jessica Simpson's music video was parodied in Pink's 2006 song "Stupid Girls".
  • An American metal rock group, Stars and Stripes (1986), sang that their heads were "Shaved for Battle", adding that their "Docs were made for kickin', and they will kick the shit out of you."
  • In an episode of Two and a Half Men, when Evelyn discusses her past, she recalls singing the song "These boots are made for walking". At the end of the episode, Charlie is seen playing a piano tune of the song, and Evelyn is spotted walking down the stairs, singing the song.
  • In the film Natural Born Killers, in the scene where Mickey is apprehended by the police, Mallory sings the chorus to Scagnetti.
  • In an episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Huntress comments to Blue Beetle that "these boots were made for stompin'!"
  • On The Simpsons episode The Italian Bob, Sideshow Bob is singing the song while stomping grapes for whine.

Notes

  1. ^ pitchforkmedia.com
  2. ^ Sinatra v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 435 F.2d 711 (9th Cir. 1970), http://www.altlaw.org/v1/cases/882392[dead link].
  3. ^ Phil Hall (January 4, 2001). "Dika: Murder City". Film Threat. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
  4. ^ "Jessica Simpson: Singles Chart History". billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  5. ^ "USATODAY.com - Jessica Simpson kicks off People's Choice Awards". www.usatoday.com. January 5, 2006. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  6. ^ http://australian-charts.com/bestall.asp
  7. ^ [1]
  8. ^ http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Jessica+Simpson&titel=These+Boots+Are+Made+For+Walkin%27&cat=s
  9. ^ [2]
  10. ^ [3]
  11. ^ [4]
  12. ^ http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Jessica+Simpson&titel=These+Boots+Are+Made+For+Walkin%27&cat=s
  13. ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20050930092918/http://www.rt100.ro/editia_curenta-will+smith-Switch.html
  14. ^ http://www.chartstats.com/songinfo.php?id=939
  15. ^ [5]
  16. ^ Australian Recording Industry Association (2005). "ARIA Annual Chart". Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  17. ^ http://www.aria.com.au/pages/ARIACharts-EndofYearCharts-Top100Singles2006.htm
  18. ^ IRMA (2005). "IRMA Best 2005". Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  19. ^ UK Singles 2005 (2005). "UK Singles 2005" (PDF). Retrieved February 27, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2005/hds_titl.jsp
  21. ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2005/poptitl.jsp
  22. ^ [6]
  23. ^ [7]
  24. ^ [8]
Nancy Sinatra version
Preceded by Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
February 26, 1966
(one week) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by UK Singles Chart number-one single
February 17, 1966 – March 16, 1966(four weeks) 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Canada RPM number-one single
March 7, 1966 (one week) 		Succeeded by
"At the Scene" by The Dave Clark Five
Preceded by
"A Must to Avoid" by Herman's Hermits
 New Zealand Singles Chart number-one single
April 8, 1966, – April 21, 1966 (two weeks) 		Succeeded by
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