The spring and summer of 1961 brought historic launches: the first manned space flights (Vostok 1 and Freedom 7), the first nuclear-powered satellite (Transit IV A), and the beginning of Nancy’s recording career (Reprise 20,017). Although “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” propelled Nancy’s career into the stratosphere in early 1966, “Cuff Links And A Tie Clip” b/w “Not Just Your Friend” had served as the launch pad in August 1961.
In her 1985 book, Frank Sinatra, My Father, Nancy recalls the inception of her first record:
“When Dad started Reprise I asked him to let me try my hand at a single. He talked to his chief executive, Mo Ostin, and Mo said he didn’t want any rock and roll records. I said that rock was here to stay but I agreed to do a novelty record like Annette Funicello. Mo said okay and put me together with Annette’s producer, Tutti Camaratta.
My record was called ‘Cufflinks and a Tie Clip’ (talk about novelty!). It was backed with an R & B (rhythm and blues) song called ‘Not Just Your Friend.’”
A “Spotlight” column in the June 30, 1961 issue of Life Magazine provided advance promotion for Nancy’s single, as it declared, “…Reprise expects Cuff Links to draw the kids. In it Nancy sounds like a pair of sisters, for she recorded her voice twice.” Interestingly, the column referred to “I See The Moon” (later released on Nancy’s fifth U.S. single) as “Cuff Links’” flip side.
The Life piece introduced Nancy as, “The new singing Sinatra,” with the following image by renowned photographer Leigh Wiener.
