For an interesting look at the sexual politics of the 1960s, take a look at the conversation between Nancy Sinatra and her producer in the liner notes of this record.

“How should I sing this?”

“Like a 16 year old girl who’s been dating a 40 year old, but it’s all over now.”

It’s a bit of a shock to 2019 eyes. But in a strange way, it perfectly encapsulates the venom-tongued ingenue on display on that iconic track.

To be fair, being named “Sinatra” was probably enough to net a Reprise Records contract. But Nancy isn’t just riding her father’s coattails. Her syrupy voice and boot stomping swagger is the stuff of a bonafide superstar.

And nowhere is this more evident than on “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” a no-bullshit break-up track that’s still making its way onto soundtracks, covered by young musicians, and being drunkenly slurred at karaoke by women with smeared eyeliner and a wine glass clutched so tightly it threatens to break. From the lazy slide guitar intro to the horn stabs at the end, the track is enough to cement Nancy’s place in pop culture.

Which is good, because while the rest of the album is pleasant enough, nothing comes anywhere close to the white-hot heat of “Boots.” With the exception of the poppy “I Move Around” and the delicate “So Long Babe” which were all written by producer Lee Hazlewood for Nancy (Like “Boots), the rest of the tracks are covers of popular songs of the day.

All of the usual suspects for this type of mid-60s cover album are here: there are two Beatles songs (“Day Tripper” with its iconic riff played on trombone and the gender swapped “Run For Your Life,” which is a bit more palatable coming from a woman), “As Tears Go By” by the Rolling Stones,  Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me, Babe,” and a few assorted country-western songs.

All the tracks benefit from conductor Billy Strange’s arrangements and Nancy’s steely voice. And while nothing comes even close to hitting the same highs as the title track, it never dips low enough to make it feel like a bomb. Instead, it’s a decently satisfying record with one really outstanding track. And that’s more than most musicians can say.