American singer Dionne Warwick began her musical career as a backing vocalist. She also worked at the legendary Brill Building, recording demos of new songs by composer Burt Bacharach and lyricist Hal David. They drew attention to the girl when she participated in the work on the Mexican Divorce track by The Drifters, and signed her to their label.
One of Warwick’s first hits was the song Walk On By, which is described below.
Story of creation and meaning of Walk On By
The music for the piece was composed by Burt Bacharach in 1964. Written by Hal David
David later recalled:
When I hear music, I hear something – I hear words. And that’s what I heard. The music said: “Come on, don’t stop.”
Dion had this to say about Walk On By:
The song has catchy words and melody. If I had known that it would be a hit, I would have been sitting on a mountain with a ruby in my hands.
The meaning of the song Walk On By is clear without much explanation. This is the story of an abandoned girl who wants to forget her ex and asks to be left alone.
Bert Bacharach recalled the studio work on the piece:
Walk On By was the first time I tried to use two pianos in a studio recording. I don’t remember if I played with Artie Butler or Paul Griffin and Artie Butler played it, but there were two pianos. I knew there was something special about the song. It was a great day.
I came out of the studio where we had just recorded two songs in a three hour session: Walk On By and Anyone Who Had a Heart. I left in a great mood, knowing that I had two super hits in my hands. You can never be sure of this for sure, but you experience a feeling of great satisfaction.
Record Collector
Dion also recounted those events:
We recorded the song at Bell Sound Studios, New York, live with a full orchestra: strings, brass, rhythm section and backing vocals.
Grammy.com
Release and achievements
Walk On By was originally released on the back of the Any Old Time of Day single, which Warwick and its producer considered an unqualified hit.
Famous New York DJ Murray Kaufman, nicknamed The K, drew attention to Walk On By. He considered the track more successful than Any Old Time of Day, and often launched it on the air. The audience shared his opinion, and the song became incredibly popular.
The song topped the US Cashbox R&B chart, climbed to number six on the Billboard charts and peaked at number nine in the UK.
The song was nominated for a Grammy in 1965 for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording.
Rolling Stone listed the track as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Let’s watch another Walk On By music video – Dionne Warwick.
Cover versions
The composition was performed by dozens of famous musicians. Let’s look at a few popular versions.
Let’s listen to Isaak Hayes’ Walk On By first. Its twelve-minute track peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was sampled by the Wu-Tang Clan, Beyonce and other singers. This version delighted Dionne Warwick.
In the style of punk rock, the Stranglers played Walk On By. Their version peaked at number twelve on the UK Singles Chart. Watch a video based on the film Blowup by Michelangelo Antonioni.
Melissa Manchester’s version of Walk On By reached number six on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
In 1997, Gabrielle’s version of Walk On By climbed to number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
The tenth line of the American rating of dance tracks obeyed the cover of Walk On By Cyndi Lauper.
Finally, let’s watch the video clip Walk On By from Seal.
Interesting Facts
- Dionne Warwick also recorded a German language version of the song. The track was released under the name Geh’ Vorbei.
- In 2002, Warwick was arrested at the Miami airport because of marijuana, which she hid in her lipstick. An article in The Sun covering the incident was titled Walk on High, Dionne, a reference to the song’s title.
Walk On By Lyrics by Dionne Warwick
If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
Make believe
That you don’t see the tears
Just let me greet
In private ’cause each time I see you
I break down and cry
And walk on by (don’t stop)
And walk on by (don’t stop)
And walk on by
I just can’t get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by, walk on by
Foolish pride
Is all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by
And walk on by
I just can’t get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by, walk on by
Lyrics of Walk On By by Dionne Warwick Alternate
If you see me on the street
And I start crying every time we meet
Walk past, walk past.
pretend
That you don’t see the tears.
Just let me grieve
Alone ’cause every time I see you
I break down and cry.
Walk past (don’t stop)
Walk past (don’t stop)
Go past.
I just can’t get over the fact that I lost you.
And if it seems that I’m broken and in anguish,
Walk past, walk past.
Silly pride –
That’s all I have left.
So let me hide
Tears and sadness you gave me
Saying goodbye.
Walk past
Go past.
I just can’t get over the fact that I lost you.
And if it seems that I’m broken and in anguish,
Walk past, walk past.
Song quote
I liked it immediately, as soon as I listened to it … To this day, I do not leave the stage without singing it … I sing it for people of my age who raised their children, and they, in turn, raised their own. It matures with each new group of listeners.
Dionne Warwick, grammy.com
