Song #155: "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra

Date: Feb 26, 1966
Weeks: 1

I was just thinking yesterday about how difficult it can be to review newer pop songs that haven't had the time for pop culture to decide whether or not they will be eternally remembered or completely forgotten. The other side of that coin is a song like this, which is almost better known for its title than the song itself.

It's a feminist anthem, of course, all about having the strength to move on from a bad relationship. It's not the least bit subtle about it, which is exactly what makes it awesome.

While the chorus is an established part of pop culture history, the rest of the song is excellent as well. I'm particularly impressed by the cleverly ungrammatical lyrics. "You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin'" is my particular favorite example. So many songs try to cheat grammar for the sake of rhyme or rhythm, but few pull it off this successfully. These are some clever lyrics.

The music is also excellent. It's fairly simple guitar and tambourine stuff, but it's representative of a certain sound of the 60s. There's a brass section that comes in and only enhances the song when it arrives. And that descending chromatic scale guitar opening is just plain fun. And it all matches Nancy Sinatra's voice quite well.

It kind of falls apart at the end, though. "Are you ready boots? Start walkin'!" is kind of a stupid line, and then the song doesn't really end, it's just fades out. The song's only two and a half minutes long. If they had continued on into a quick little instrumental bridge and given the chorus a final run-through, I think the song would be that much better.

My verdict: Like it. I didn't expect to like it so much, but I didn't realize how strong the song's verses were, or how much fun that guitar was.