These Boots Are Made for Walkin' chords

by Nancy Sinatra
  • These Boots Are Made for Walkin was written by Lee Hazlewood - American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer.
  • Recorded by Nancy Sinatra: November 19, 1965
  • Released: December 16, 1965
  • Album: Boots
  • Music: Key of E Major in 4/4 time at ~ 84 bpm (𝅘𝅥)
  • Chords: E, Em, G, A
Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
E Major Em G Major A Major
E Major Em G Major A Major


These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
Intro: 4/4
            E                             E                           E     E
Bass Run:| /E /E /D# /D# /D /D /C# /C# | /C /C /B /B /Bb /Bb /A /A |     |     |
   E
1. You keep say-in' you got some-thin' for me

   Some-thin' you call love, but con-fess
   A
   You've been a-mes-sin' where you should-n't have been a-mes-sin'
           E
   And now some-one else is get-tin' all your best

          G                  Em  
CH: These boots are made for walk-in'
        G                        Em  
    And that's just what they'll do
    G                        E                                E
    One of these days, these boots are gon-na walk all o-ver (you)
   E                             E                          E         E
| /E /E /D# /D# /D /D /C# /C# | /C /C /B /B /Bb /Bb /A /A |  Yeah! |     |
  (you) 

   E
2. You keep lyin' when you ought to be truth-in'

   And you keep lo-sin' when you ought to not bet
   A
   You keep sam-in' when you ought to be a-chan-gin'
              E
   Now what's right is right, but you ain't been right yet

          G                  Em  
CH: These boots are made for walk-in'
        G                        Em  
    And that's just what they'll do
    G                        E                                E
    One of these days, these boots are gon-na walk all o-ver (you)  
   E                             E                           E     E
| /E /E /D# /D# /D /D /C# /C# | /C /C /B /B /Bb /Bb /A /A |     |     |
  (you) 

   E 
3. You keep play-in' where you should-n't be play-in'

   And you keep think-in' that you'll ne-ver get burnt, ha!
   A
   I just found me a brand-new box of mat-ches, yeah
       E
   And what he knows, you ain't had time to learn   
 
          G                  Em  
CH: These boots are made for walk-in'
        G                        Em
    And that's just what they'll do
    G                        E                                E
    One of these days, these boots are gon-na walk all o-ver (you)
    E                             E
 | /E /E /D# /D# /D /D /C# /C# | /C /C /B /B /Bb /Bb /A /A |
   (you)

   E                            E
 |    Are you rea-dy, boots?  |    Start walk-in'  |
      E 
 |  (Sax)  |  %  |  %  |  % |...

Notes:

The Bass Run is very simple. Just start on String 6 (fattest string) - Fret 12 (E) and descend 1 fret (semitone) at a time playing 2 notes on each fret until you hit the 5th fret with the notes A... then you strum the E chord for the next 2 bars.

Whenever you see a forward slash with a note directly after it, e.g., /E /A /G this represents the bass notes E, A G etc.

If you see a chord with a forward slash proceeded by a note, e.g., D/A, this represents a D chord leading with the note 'A'.

Therefore in this song:
| /E /E /D# /D# /D /D /C# /C# | /C /C /B /B /Bb /Bb /A /A | are all bass notes.

The Bass Run spans 2 bars therefore in 4/4 time with 8 Bass Notes per Bar, each bass note falls on an eighth-note:
| 1& 2& 3& 4& | 1& 2& 3& 4& |

Nancy Sinatra

Boots Album Cover
Boots Album Cover

Born: Nancy Sandra Sinatra on June 8, 1940 in Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.

Professions: Singer, songwriter, actress, film producer, author

Music Styles: Pop, rock, country

Active Years: 1957 - present

Nancy Sinatra rose to fame in the 1960s with her distinctive voice, iconic style, and chart-topping hits. She is the daughter of legendary singer and actor Frank Sinatra.

Nancy Sinatra's musical career began in the early 1960s, and she quickly found success with singles like "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'," which became her signature song and a cultural phenomenon. Her sultry vocals and rebellious persona made her a symbol of female empowerment during the era.

Throughout the 1960s and beyond, Nancy Sinatra continued to release hit songs, including "Sugar Town," "Somethin' Stupid" (a duet with her father, Frank Sinatra), and "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)." Her music often combined elements of pop, rock, and country, showcasing her versatility as an artist.

In addition to her music career, Nancy Sinatra also pursued acting, appearing in films such as "Speedway" alongside Elvis Presley and "The Wild Angels." She demonstrated her acting abilities on television as well, making guest appearances on various shows.

Nancy Sinatra's impact on popular culture extends beyond her music and acting career. Her fashion sense, characterized by bold and glamorous attire, influenced trends of the 1960s and continues to inspire fashion enthusiasts today.

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