Top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs

Photo: Reprise Records / Boots Enterprises, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list looks back at the music of a legendary popular 1960s and 70s singer who also happened to be the daughter of Frank Sinatra. Her name would first become known worldwide when Frank Sinatra sang about his little girl in his famous standard “Nancy.” It wouldn’t be long before Nancy Sinatra was making a name for herself on her own with her legendary 1960s mega-hit “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” The number one single turned Nancy Sinatra into a huge star. Nancy Sinatra would release seven studio albums between 1966 and 1972. Many of her singles were written by Lee Hazlewood. She took a break from the music business for over twenty years but returned to recording in the 1990s. She released another seven studio albums between the years 1995 and 2013.

# 10 – Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)

We open up our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list with the classic song entitled “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Down).” Sonny Bono wrote many great songs when he was alive, but this one has always been one of the best he has ever composed. The song has been recorded by many artists over the years, including one of the earliest versions recorded by Sonny Bono’s wife at the time, Cher. The all-time diva Cher released the song on her second solo album entitled The Sonny Side Of Cher, which was issued in 1966.

Nancy Sinatra recorded the song the same year as Cher did in 1966 and released it on her album entitled How Does That Grab You? Nancy Sinatra’s version was recorded in a film noir style fueled by a haunting tremolo guitar sound that artists like Chris Isaak would utilize in his music many years later. While the song was a hit in 1966 for Nancy Sinatra it became popular once again in 2oo5 when famed film director Quentin Tarantino used the song in his film Kill Bill Vol.1. One of our favorite versions of the song besides Nancy Sinatra’s version belonged to her dad Frank Sinatra. Old Blue Eyes recorded the song as the title track for one of his last great albums titled She Shot Me Down which was released in 1981.

# 9 – Day Tripper

Continuing with our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list we present a thrilling cover of The Beatles classic “Day Tripper.” The song was released on the album entitled How Does That Grab You? The album was released in 1966.”Day Tripper” was never released as a single by Nancy Sinatra but it stands as one of those classic deep album tracks that has always been a favorite. Listening to those horns play that guitar line is just so entertaining. The sound of the 60s is as clear as the words Austin Powers on this one.

# 8 – Let Me Kiss You

While one can easily argue that Nancy Sinatra’s glory days took place during the 1960s and 70s, she did continue to record music into the 1980s and beyond, way beyond. In the number eight spot on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list we showcase the song entitled “Let Me Kiss You,” which was actually released in 2004 on the very enjoyable album titled Nancy Sinatra. The song was composed by Morrissey and Alain Whyte. Morrissey recorded a separate version of the song from Nancy Sinatra’s version. Even though the song is very modern in a Mossrisery type way, Nancy Sinatra’s version has the spirit of the 1960s all over it, which was so cool to hear in new music in 2004.

# 7 – Jackson

We could very easily do a top 10 Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood top 10 songs lists and we probably will. The two released a ton of music, and many of their singles became pretty big hits. The two just sounded great together. We could not do a top 10 Nancy Sinatra songs list without including at least one or two of them. So, in the number seven position on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list, we deliver the Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood single “Jackson.” This is country Nancy Sinatra done with a pop twist. The pair released the song in 1967. The song hit the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number fourteen. Johnny Cash and June Carter also released the song the same year and they had a huge hit with it on the US Billboard Country Charts reaching all the way up to number two.

# 6 – Tony Rome

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list, we present the big band-sounding tune called “Tony Rome.” This is the theme song to a 1967 film-noir or we should say neo-noir film starring her father, Frank Sinatra, as Detective Tony Rome. Frank Sinatra appeared as Tony Rome’s character in two films. The sequel to Tony Rome, entitled Lady In Cement, was released in 1968. Both the song and the film have kind of been forgotten, and we just thought this was the perfect opportunity to revive them at least here on our list. The song was perfect for Nancy Sinatra, but then again, maybe it was Nancy Sinatra who was perfect for the song.

# 5 – Sugar Town

At the midway point on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list is the song entitled “Sugar Town.” This is just one of those really sweet (no pun intended)songs that you just can’t get out of your head the first time you hear it. The song was issued on the album entitled Sugar. The album was released in 1966. It was the first single released from the album. “Sugar Town” was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaking at number five. The song “Sugar Town” also was a hit on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts peaking at number one making it the second number one hit single of Nancy Sinatra’s career. The great Feist song “1234,” is very reminiscent of this song. Same groove and pretty close to that same happy melody.

# 4 – You Only Live Twice

There is nothing like a great James Bond Theme song, and Nancy Sinatra recorded one of the best of them all. At the number four spot on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list we present the song entitled “You Only Live Twice.” The song was released on the James Bond soundtrack album, which is also entitled You Only Live Twice. The album and film starring Sean Connery was released in 1967. The song was composed by longtime James Bond music composer John Barry, and the lyrics were written by Leslie Bricusse.

“You Only Live Twice” has always stood out among the classic James Bond themes because of that memorable spinning string line that opens the song. Nancy Sinatra’s tremendous vocal line fueled what would become a 1960s classic. It is also one of the most covered James Bond themes ever released. Robbie Williams fans know this one well as the huge English star utilized those string lines in the biggest hit of his career called “Millennium.”

# 3 – How Does That Grab You, Darlin’?

Grooving along on our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list and the sweet sound of the 60s, we present another killer cut that won’t let you stop listening to it. This is one that we have always loved. The great song How Does That Grab You, Darlin’? has always echoed her big hit “These Boots Are Made For Walking” in many ways. But that’s alright; it was definitely original enough to stand on its own. The song was released on the album, also titled How Does That Grab You? The album was released in 1966. It was the first single released from the album. The song was a hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number six. It went all the way to number two in Canada. This great tune was written by Lee Hazelwood.

# 2 – Somethin’ Stupid (with Frank Sinatra)

Every few years, a song is released that everyone falls in love with. This was one of those songs. How could you not love a song like this that featured Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra singing this duet together? Released in 1967, the Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra version of “Something Stupid” went straight to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song was written by C. Carson Parks who released his version with his wife Gaile Foote in 1966. Yet, it was the Sinatra version that hit it big. Not only did it hit number one in the United States. The song reached number one in Canada and the United Kingdom, and it was also on the Australian Music Charts. This was a big one as it served as Nancy Sinatra’s second number one single in two years.

# 1 – These Boots Are Made For Walking

We close out our top 10 Nancy Sinatra Songs list with the legendary song “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” Not many words can describe how captivating and additive this song was to listen to. That bassline is legendary, as one can get from a 1960s pop song bass line. It was actually played on a double bass by the great studio musician and member of the Wrecking Crew named Chuck Berghofer. “These Boots Are Made For Walking” was released on the album entitled Boots. The album was released in 1966.

“These Boots Are Made For Walking” was the first single released from the album. The song also became Nancy Sinatra’s first number one hit single on the US Billboard Hot 100. It would forever remain her signature songs. The song, written by Lee Hazlewood, would be widely covered over the years, but nobody could match the stunning original released in 1966. That sound of the 196os could just not be duplicated.