Walk On By (song)

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"Walk On By"
Single by Dionne Warwick
from the album Make Way for Dionne Warwick
B-side	"Any Old Time of Day"
Released	April 26, 1964
Recorded	November 22, 1963
Studio	A&R Recording Studios, New York City
Length	2:55
Label	Scepter
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Dionne Warwick singles chronology
"Anyone Who Had a Heart" (1963) "Walk On By" (1964) "You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" (1964)

"Walk On By" is a song composed by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963.^[1] The song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart In June 1964 and was nominated for a 1965 Grammy Award for the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. Isaac Hayes recorded the song five years later, in 1969, and reached number 30 on the Hot 100 chart and number 13 in the R&B charts^[2] with his version. "Walk On By" has since charted numerous times in various countries, with wildly different arrangements.

Dionne Warwick original version (1964)[]

The original version of "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick was recorded at the same December 1963 session that yielded her hit "Anyone Who Had a Heart". "Walk On By" was the follow-up to that single, released in April 1964 and reaching number 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cashbox's R&B chart.^[3] (Billboard did not print rhythm and blues charts during 1964, the year of the song's peak performance.) The song also reached the top 10 in a run on Billboard's easy listening survey. The song was ranked number 70 on the Rolling Stone list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the second highest song by a solo female on the list after "Respect" by Aretha Franklin.^[4] "Walk On By" became Warwick's second international million seller following "Anyone Who Had A Heart" in January 1964.

Session drummer Gary Chester played on this recording^[5] as did session bassist Russ Savakus.^[6] Other musicians included Artie Butler on organ, Paul Griffin on piano, Irwin Markowitz and Ernie Royal on trumpet, Bill Suyker and Allen Hanlon on guitar, Max Pollikoff, Charles McCracken, Eugene Orloff, Julius Held, and George Ockner on violin, Harold Coletta on viola, Lucien Schmit on cello, Paul Winter on saxophone, and George Devens on percussion.

Warwick also recorded a German version of the song, titled "Geh Vorbei".^[7]

Chart performance[]

Chart (1964)	Peak position
Australia	28
Canada	14
France (IFOP)[8]	49
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[9]	4
UK Singles Chart	9
US Billboard Hot 100	6
US Cashbox R&B	1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary	7

Bobby Kris and the Imperials version (1965)[]

The Toronto folk-rock group Bobby Kris and the Imperials released a fairly straight-ahead cover version in late 1965. The single became a major hit in Canada, reaching number 8 in early 1966, but "Walk On By" was to be the band's only hit.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1966)	Peak position
Canada Singles (RPM 100)	8

Isaac Hayes version (1969)[]

"Walk On By"
Single by Isaac Hayes
from the album Hot Buttered Soul
B-side	"By the Time I Get to Phoenix"
Released	July 1969 (1969-07)
Recorded	1969
Genre	Progressive soul[10]
Length	12:00, 4:34 (single)
Label	Enterprise
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	Al Bell, Marvell Thomas, Allen Jones
Isaac Hayes singles chronology
"Precious, Precious" (1967) "Walk On By" (1969) "The Mistletoe and Me" (1969)

Funk/soul musician Isaac Hayes released a cover version of "Walk on By" in 1969 for his studio album Hot Buttered Soul and transformed the song into a twelve-minute funk vamp. Edited for single release down to under 5 minutes, this single reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. This version was also featured in the film Dead Presidents and was sampled in 1992 by Compton's Most Wanted in "Hood Took Me Under", in 1994 by The Notorious B.I.G. in Warning, in 1995 by 2Pac in "Me Against The World", in 1999 by MF DOOM in "Dead Bent", in 2000 by Wu-Tang Clan in "I Can't Go to Sleep", in 1996 by Hooverphonic in "2 Wicky" and in R&B singer Beyoncé's 2016 song "6 Inch".

Samples[]

Thi song is sampled by the late South African artist Hip Hop Pantsula in "Let Me Be" off his 2005 album YBA 2 NW. In this song Hip Hop Pantsula features Mo'Molemi.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1969)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	30
US Billboard Hot R&B Songs	13

Gloria Gaynor version (1975)[]

"Walk On By"
Single by Gloria Gaynor
from the album Experience Gloria Gaynor
B-side	"Real Good People"
Released	October 1975
Recorded	1975
Length	3:00
Label	MGM
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	Meco Monardo

Gloria Gaynor released her disco version on her 1975 album, Experience Gloria Gaynor. It became a hit in South Africa during the fall of the year, reaching #12, and #17 in Germany.

Chart (1975)	Peak position
Canada	90
Germany	17
Netherlands	19
South Africa (Springbok)[11]	12
US Billboard Hot 100[12]	98

The Stranglers version (1978)[]

"Walk On By"
Single by The Stranglers
B-side	"Old Codger", "Tank"
Released	1978 (UK)
Genre	Post-punk
Length	6:22
Label	United Artists
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	Martin Rushent
The Stranglers singles chronology
"Nice 'n' Sleazy" (1978) "Walk On By" (1978) "Duchess" (1979)

In 1978, the Stranglers recorded a six minute version of "Walk on By" (with extended organ and guitar solos) that hit No. 21 on the UK Singles Chart.^[13] The video for the Stranglers' version was based on the 1966 movie "Blowup" and was filmed in the same location as the movie, Maryon Park in London.^[14] Chart performance may have been impaired by the fact that an E.P. featuring the song had been given away with the first 75,000 copies of their album Black and White.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1978)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart[13]	21

Average White Band version (1979)[]

The Average White Band cut a lightly disco-tinged version (featuring reggae and funk underpinnings) that charted in 1979. Though AWB is sometimes remembered as an instrumental band, their version of "Walk On By" was a vocal track—as were many of their other songs.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1979)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	46
US Billboard Hot 100	92

D-Train version (1982)[]

In 1982, "Walk on By" was covered by the funk duo D-Train who had a UK and U.S. R&B/dance hit with the song in a boogie/funk version.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1982)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	44
US Billboard Hot R&B Songs	42
US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	45

Jo Jo Zep version (1983)[]

In 1983, Australian group Jo Jo Zep covered "Walk on By" in a slow, moody version that featured electronics and synthesisers. The song was lifted from the band's seventh studio album, Cha. The track was a minor hit in Australia, peaking at number 55, but was a major hit in New Zealand, hitting number 6.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1983)	Peak position
Australia Singles Chart	55
New Zealand Singles Chart	6

Melissa Manchester version (1989)[]

In 1989, "Walk On By" was covered by singer Melissa Manchester. Her version of the song hit number 6 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

Chart performance[]

Chart (1989)	Peak position
US Billboard Adult Contemporary	6

Sybil version (1990)[]

"Walk On By"
Single by Sybil
from the album Sybil
Released	1990
Genre	Dance downtempo pop
Length	4:04
Label	PWL Records
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	Eddie O'Loughlin
Sybil singles chronology
"Don't Make Me Over" (1989) "Walk On By" (1990) "Make It Easy on Me" (1990)
Music video
"Walk On By" on YouTube

In 1990, American singer Sybil, who had scored her biggest hit a year prior with a cover of Warwick's "Don't Make Me Over", also scored a U.S. and UK hit with "Walk On By".

Chart performance[]

Gabrielle version (1997)[]

"Walk On By"
Single by Gabrielle
from the album Gabrielle
B-side	"Something to Talk About"
Released	20 January 1997
Recorded	1996
Length	3:21
Label	Go Beat Universal
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach Hal David
Producer(s)	The Boilerhouse Boys
Gabrielle singles chronology
"If You Ever" (1996) "Walk On By" (1997) "Sunshine" (1999)

In 1997, UK singer Gabrielle released her version of "Walk on By" as the fifth and final single from her studio album, Gabrielle. It reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart. Despite being one of her bigger hits, it was not included on her Greatest Hits compilation in 2001, being the only Top 10 hit in her career not to appear on it.

Track listings[]

UK CD (GODCD 159)^[19]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Walk On By"	3:21
2.	"Walk On By" (45% Novocaine Remix)	3:41
3.	"Walk On By" (Live from TFI Friday)	3:32
4.	"Something To Talk About"	4:13

UK 12-inch vinyl (GODX 159)^[20]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Walk On By"	3:21
2.	"Give Me A Little More Time" (Def Mix)	7:57
3.	"Walk On By" (45% Novocaine Remix)	3:41
4.	"Forget About The World" (Daft Punk 'Don't Forget The World' Mix)	5:44

UK cassette single (GODMC 159)^[21]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Walk On By"	3:21
2.	"Something To Talk About"	4:13

Chart performance[]

Chart (1997)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [22]	41
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40) [23]	19
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [24]	96
Scotland (Official Charts Company) [25]	12
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [26]	7
UK R&B (Official Charts Company) [27]	2

Cyndi Lauper version (2003)[]

"Walk on By" was the first single from Cyndi Lauper's 2003 covers album, At Last. It was also included on Lauper's 2004 DVD Live at Last. It was released as a promo only. Remixes of the song reached number 10 on the U.S. dance chart.

Formats and track listings[]

Chart performance[]

Chart (2004)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play	10

Seal version (2005)[]

Seal released a version of "Walk On By" as a single in January 2005. Though the song did not chart in his native UK, it made the lower reaches of the charts in several European countries.

Chart performance[]

Chart (2005)	Peak position
Austria Singles Chart	57
Germany Singles Chart	49
Switzerland Singles Chart	46

Other versions[]

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• Aretha Franklin recorded the song for her 1964 album, Runnin' Out of Fools.
• Roland Kirk recorded a version on his 1965 album Slightly Latin.
• Kirsti Sparboe on her 1965 album Kirsti Sparboe with Norwegian lyrics as "Gå Forbi".
• The Three Souls (Featuring Sonny Cox) recorded a jazz version of the song on their 1965 album, Soul Sounds.
• Jack McDuff on his 1966 album, Walk On By.
• The Miracles recorded a version on their 1966 album Away We a Go-Go, one of two Dionne Warwick cover tunes on that album.
• Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers recorded a version on their 1966 album Tough!.
• Gábor Szabó recorded a jazz instrumental version on his album, Gypsy '66.
• Stanley Turrentine on his 1966 album Rough 'n' Tumble.
• Brenda & the Tabulations on their 1967 album, Dry Your Eyes.
• The Wildare Express (Featuring Reuben Wilson) recorded a jazz version of the song in 1967, released on their Walk On By album.
• George Benson also released a jazz version on his 1968 album, Gilblet Gravy.
• Peter Nero on his 1968 album Impressions (The Great Songs of Burt Bacharach & Hal David).^[31]
• Sherwin-Williams issued a compilation album of 1960's hits titled Easy Does It (1968) that included the song.
• Connie Francis recorded the song for her 1968 album, Connie Francis Sings Bacharach & David.
• Florence Ballard recorded a version in 1968 for her shelved solo debut album for ABC Records; after her firing from the Supremes and departure from Motown. The incomplete album was left unreleased until the 2001 compilation The Supreme Florence Ballard.
• Stan Getz on his 1968 album of Bacharach & David versions What the World Needs Now.
• Johnny Mathis recorded the song for his 1968 album Love Is Blue.
• The Beach Boys covered a portion of the song in a studio outtake for their 1969 album, 20/20.
• Kiki Dee recorded a version of the song in 1969 for Motown Records during her work on the Great Expectations album, but the song was not released until 2005 on the retrospective album Kiki Dee – Love Makes the World Go Round: The Motown Collection.
• Don Patterson on his 1969 album, Brothers-4.
• Thee Midniters recorded an instrumental version on their 1969 album Giants.
• Cal Tjader on his 1969 album, Cal Tjader Sounds Out Burt Bacharach.
• We Five released a version as a single in 1969. It was featured on their album, The Return of the We Five.^[32]
• Alan Price covered the song in 1969 on a BBC music broadcast.^[33]
• A 1960s garage rock version was recorded by the Outcasts from Manhasset, New York and it's included on their 1985 compilation album Meet the Outcasts!.^[34]
• The Jackson Five recorded a live take of the Isaac Hayes version on their 1971 live soundtrack album Goin' Back to Indiana.
• Grant Green recorded an instrumental version on his 1971 album, Live at Club Mozambique.
• The Dells recorded a version on their 1972 album, The Dells Sing Dionne Warwicke's Greatest Hits, released on Cadet Records, produced by Charles Stepney.
• Cliff Richard with Olivia Newton-John for Cliff Live in Japan '72.
• The Undisputed Truth on their 1973 album Law of the Land.
• Kevin Coyne released the song as a single in 1976.^[35]
• Vanilla Fudge on the 1984 album Mystery.
• Whitney Houston performed the song several times in 1994 during her Bodyguard Tour, and also performed it on her 1997 HBO special Classic Whitney Live from Washington, D.C..
• Peter White released a version of the song on his 1994 album, Reflections.^[36][37]
• Bobby Caldwell released a paced down version on his 1995 album, Soul Survivor.
• Laura Nyro recorded a version of the song that was included on her 2001 Angel in the Dark (posthumous album recorded 1994–1995).
• Maggie Reilly recorded a version of the song for her 1996 album, Elena.
• Bob Baldwin released a version of the song on his 1997 album, Cool Breeze.^[38][39]
• The Mavis's contributed a version to the 1998 compilation To Hal and Bacharach, later included in their 2002 compilation Throwing Little Stones.
• Guitarist Bob DeVos recorded a version on his 1999 album, Breaking The Ice with organist Charles Earland and drummer Vincent Ector.
• Paul Carrack recorded a version on his 2001 album, Groovin'.
• Kelly Clarkson performed the song in 2002 on "Top 5" week of season 1 of American Idol.
• Alicia Keys recorded a hip hop version of the song on 2003 mutli-platinum album, The Diary of Alicia Keys.
• Michael McDonald recorded a version on his 2008 album Soul Speak.
• Diana Krall recorded a jazzy version of the song on her 2009 album, Quiet Nights.
• Ronan Keating recorded the song for his 2011 album, When Ronan Met Burt.
• Sheryl Crow performed the song in 2012 for "In Performance at the White House".
• Kendra Morris recorded a version for her 2013 album Mockingbird.
• Paul Rodgers recorded a version of it on his 2014 album The Royal Sessions.
• Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio recorded a version for their 2016 debut album Close But No Cigar.
• Saxophonist Jerry Weldon recorded a jazz version on his 2018 album Those Were the Days.

References[]

External links[]

• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics
• Dionne Warwick - Walk On By on YouTube