These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

Infobox Single
Name = These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Artist = Nancy Sinatra
from Album = Boots
B-side =
Released = February 1966
Format = 7" single
Recorded =
Genre = Pop
Length = 2:42
Label = Reprise Records
Writer = Lee Hazlewood
Producer = Lee Hazlewood
Certification =
Last single = "So Long, Babe"
(1965)
This single = "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
(1966)
Next single = "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?"
(1966)

"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" is a pop song composed by Lee Hazlewood and first 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: pop, 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.

The song is often incorrectly listed as "These Boots", "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'" and "These Boots Are Made for Walking."

Nancy Sinatra version

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, and Billy Strange 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."Fact|date=August 2007

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."

The second single taken from her debut album, 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.fact|date=March 2008 That same year, Sinatra recorded an early music video for the song. It was produced by Color-Sonics, and played on Scopitones video jukeboxes. In 1986, for the song's twentieth anniversary, cable station VH1 played this music video.

The song was adopted by troops in the Vietnam War when they marched, and Sinatra traveled there in the mid- to late-1960s to perform for the U.S. soldiers. 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 "".

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". [ [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/37887-the-200-greatest-songs-of-the-1960s/page_4 pitchforkmedia.com] ]

Charts

Jessica Simpson version

Infobox Single
Name = These Boots Are Made for Walkin'


Artist = Jessica Simpson
from Album = The Dukes of Hazzard Original Soundtrack
B-side =
Released = US May 26, 2005 UK August 29, 2005
Format = Digital download, digital maxi single
Recorded =
Genre = Dance pop, country, hip pop
Length = 3:58
Label = Columbia
Writer = Lee Hazlewood; Jessica Simpson (additional; uncredited)
Producer = Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Certification = Gold (RIAA
Platinum ARIA)
Last single = "What Christmas Means to Me"
(2004)
This single = "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
(2005)
Next single = "A Public Affair"
(2006)
Misc =
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 it was released as the soundtrack's first single in 2005 (see 2005 in music). It became Simpson's fifth top-twenty single in the United States and its music video drew some controversy because of its sexual imagery. [cite web
url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-01-05-simpson-peoples-choice_x.htm
title=USATODAY.com - Jessica Simpson kicks off People's Choice Awards
publisher=www.usatoday.com
accessdate=2008-07-31
last=
first=]

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 version explore 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 a current interview with GAC Nights, Jessica stated that her record label did not want to promote the song because of it's country feel, even though the song is more pop then 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.

"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 twenty on Billboard's Pop 100 chart, and was Simpson's first single to appear on the chart. It became her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number two and remained in the top forty for twenty-four weeks, and also became her first Top 5 hit in the UK, where it peaked at number four. It reached the top ten in New Zealand and the top twenty in Austria and Switzerland.

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 India, and all Middle Eastern and North African nations except Algeria, Israel, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey. In Malaysia, it was occasionally 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. After one customer slaps her buttocks with his hand, Simpson 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 square 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 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

Alternate versions and remixes

# Album Version / Original Version—3:58. This version appeared on the soundtrack and was used for the music video.
# Single Version / Original Radio Edit—3:35. This is the version included on the single with re-recorded vocals and contains more pop influences than the Original Version.
# Radio Edit—3:28. This is the short -edited- version of the single version, and was released to radio stations only, for promotional use.
# Instrumental—3:38. Available only on the "12"" Vinyl Single.
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Scott Storch Mix] - 4:09
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [E-Smoove Vocal Mix] - 6:59
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Bimbo Jones Remix Vocal]
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Bimbo Jones Radio Edit] - 3:14
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Bimbo Jones Club Mix] - 6:02
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Bimbo Jones Dub] - 6:03
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Ed n' Richie Club Mix] - 5:16
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Gomi & Escape's Club Mix]
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Gomi & Escape Mix] - 9:03
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Gomi & Escape's Dub]
# These Boots Are Made For Walkin' [Joe Bermudez Club Mix] (Unreleased)

elected list of recorded versions

* 1966 Nancy Sinatra, U.S. #1, UK #1
* 1966 Lee Hazlewood, the songwriter's own version
* 1966 The New Christy Minstrels, on the album "New Kick!"
* 1966 Mrs. Miller, on the album "Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits"
* 1966 Jane Morgan, on the album "Fresh Flavor"
* 1966 The Supremes, on the album "Supremes A' Go-Go"
* 1967 Loretta Lynn, a country version
* 1969 Symarip, a ska version on the album "Skinhead Moonstomp"
* 1974 The Residents, avant garde music group, on the album "Meet the Residents"
* 1977 Amanda Lear, on the album "I Am a Photograph"
* 1978 Nick Cave's first band The Boys Next Door, a new wave version
* 1982 Paula Yates on the B.E.F. album "Music of Quality and Distinction Volume One"
* 1984 Adriano Celentano on the album "I Miei Americani" (as "Bisogna Far Qualcosa")
* 1984 Government Issue on the Joy Ride EP
* 1985 Megadeth, on the album "Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good!" — their version was produced more as a parody than as a cover. 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.
*1985 Raymonde
* 1986 Man to Man featuring Jessica Williams, a Hi-NRG dance version
* 1989 Operation Ivy, a version titled "One of These Days" from the album "Energy"
* 1989 Kon Kan, a dance music remix/remake
* 1989 Crispin Glover, on the album "The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be"
* 1991 Georgie Parker and the Channel 7 Australia ensemble Farmhouse. Reached #58 on the Australian ARIA Chart.
* 1991 7 Seconds, on the album "Old School"
* 1991 Anita Lane and Barry Adamson
* 1991 Jewel on the album "Revolution in Heaven"
* 1992 Billy Ray Cyrus, on the album "Some Gave All"
* 1993 LaToya Jackson, on the album "From Nashville to You"
* 1993 Lisa Germano, on the album "Happiness" (released by Capitol)
* 1995 Boy George, on the single "Il Adore" and on the Culture Club Box Set
* 1997 Candye Kane, on the album "Diva la Grande"
* 1998 Geri Halliwell, formerly of the Spice Girls, for the "" soundtrack
* 1999 Trish Murphy, on the album "Rubies on the Lawn"
* 1999 Amanda Lear, on the album "Amanda '98 - Follow Me Back in My Arms" (Bang! mix)
* 1999 Bad Manners, on the album "Rare & Fatty" (as "Boots")
* 1999 Delbert McClinton, on the album "The Crazy Cajun Recordings"
* 2000 Sarge, on the album "Distant"
* 2000 Geri Halliwell, on the single CD "Bag It Up"; also used in the movie and on its soundtrack
* 2001 Eläkeläiset, on the album "Humppa!" (as "Astuva Humppa")
* 2001 French Affair, on the album "Desire"
* 2001 La Grande Sophie, on the album "Le porte-Bonheur"
* 2002 KMFDM, on the "Boots" EP
* 2002 The Fixx, on the album "When Pigs Fly: Songs You Never Thought You'd Hear"
* 2003 Star Academy 3, on the album "Fait Sa Bamba"
* 2003 Bree Sharp, for the "" soundtrack
* 2004 Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots, for a bonus feature on the "Shrek 2" DVD
* 2004 David Hasselhoff, on the album "David Hasselhoff Sings America"
* 2004 The Fog Band as part of their live sets.
* 2005 Lil Kim, the theme for the TV show "Growing Up Gotti"
* 2005 Little Birdy, on their single "Excited"
* 2005 Jessica Simpson, for "The Dukes of Hazzard" soundtrack, U.S. #14.
* 2006 Fulham Flurries, on the album "It's Only A Game: Hits & Misses From the Crazy World of British Football"
* 2006 Yuna Ito, a single in Japan for a Daihatsu commercial
* 2006 Faster Pussycat, on the album "The Power and the Glory Hole"
* 2007 Ira Losco, included in the CD single "Something to Talk About"
* 2008 The Coconutz, translated into the Hawaiian Language and included on the soundtrack to the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall

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."

Notes