The Supremes [2023] - These Boots Are Made For Walking (SILO x Martin Wave Remix) [Motown]

I saw this released last week and havered over whether to bother posting. It is of course the, Lee Hazelwood written, kitsch song "These Boots Are Made For Walking" a #1 hit for Nancy Sinatra in early 1966. It was covered by The Supremes who included it on their "Supremes A Go-Go" album in 1966 (which only saw a single release in Argentina on an EP). A new 'souped up' SILO x Martin Wave Remix. was released on 13 Jan '23.  

A stomping instrumental version was an unlikely 'monster' on Northern Soul dancefloors in the mid 70s by The Happy Cats when instrumentals were all the rage. So much so that John Anderson reissued it on his Grapevine label in 1978 to satisfy demand with a different B side (a vocal "Destroy That Boy") to the original on Omack in 1966. The same song (with different writer's credits) was recorded by The What Four (a NYC based white female garage band) on Columbia as "I'm Gonna Destroy That Boy" which 45Cat lists as Oct 1966, so I don't know who recorded it first but believe the The Happy Cats' version was unreleased in the US and was perhaps sent to Anderson to release with 'Boots'. There is also an unissued Columbia acetate version by an unknown artist posted on YouTube and Spotify which was reissued in 2014.

It is the only (listed) release for the Omack label which I would guess was owned by Ollie McLaughlin who was a Detroit producer who owned a number of labels and was behind many a NS tune and it wouldn't surprise me to learn that several Funk Brother are moonlighting on this one as it has that feel.

I said 'listed' above as there is at least one other release on the label not listed by Joe Hunter & His Happy Cats (same group?) Pajama Party b/w Squaw #S-437 which is surely the same label (although the design and colour are different) as it has McLaughlin Pub. Co. on the label and Ollie McLaughlin on writer's credits. Assuming it is the same Joe Hunter, it also reinforces the Funk Brothers connection as Hunter of course was their pianist, and the Ramsey Lewis style piano is quite prominent on The Happy Cats' instrumental.

Posted for novelty/topical value more than anything else and to expose the instrumental version which is a bit of a 'Marmite' tune.

Details

Rating:	7.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Motown / Pop / Remix / Northern Soul / Instrumental
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	13/01/2023
Key/BPM:	8B/176
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved