"Walk On By" is a song composed by

Burt Bacharach Burt Freeman Bacharach ( ; born May 12, 1928) is an American composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist who composed hundreds of pop songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. A six-time Gr ...

, with lyrics by

Hal David Harold Lane David (May 25, 1921 – September 1, 2012) was an American lyricist. He grew up in New York City. He was best known for his collaborations with composer Burt Bacharach and his association with Dionne Warwick. Early life David ...

, for singer

Dionne Warwick Marie Dionne Warwick (; born December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress, and television host. Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest U.S. hit makers between 1955 and 1999, based on her chart history on ''Billboards Hot 100 pop singles ch ...

in 1963. 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 Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, actor, songwriter, and composer. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records, where he served both as an in-house songw ...

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 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

was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, 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 '' Cashboxs R&B chart. (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 51 on the ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its co ...

'' list of

The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" is a recurring survey compiled by the American magazine ''Rolling Stone''. It is based on weighted votes from selected musicians, critics, and industry figures. The first list was published in December 2004 in ...

, the second highest song by a solo female on the list after "

Respect Respect, also called esteem, is a positive feeling or action shown towards someone or something considered important or held in high esteem or regard. It conveys a sense of admiration for good or valuable qualities. It is also the process of ...

" by

Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin ( ; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in ''Rolling Stone''s "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With ...

. "Walk On By" became Warwick's second international million seller following "Anyone Who Had A Heart" in January 1964. Session drummer

Gary Chester Gary Chester (born Cesario Gurciullo; October 27, 1924 – August 17, 1987) was an American studio drummer, author, and teacher. Beginning in the 1960s, he played on hundreds of records for bands such as The Coasters, The Monkees, and The Lovin ...

played on this recording as did session bassist Russ Savakus. 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 Gene Orloff (June 14, 1921 – March 23, 2009) was an American violinist, concertmaster, arranger, contractor and session musician. Background The son of a Russian immigrant violin maker, Orloff would try and get his father's violin down from the ...

, 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".

Charts

Certifications

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.

Charts

Isaac Hayes version (1969)

Funk/soul musician

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 ''Dead Presidents'' is a 1995 American crime film co-written, produced and directed by the Hughes Brothers. The film chronicles the life of Anthony Curtis ( Larenz Tate), focusing on his teenage years as a high school graduate and his experience ...

''. His version was ranked No. 312 in the 2021 edition of " Top 500 Songs of All Time" by Rolling Stone Magazine.

Samples

Hayes's version was sampled in 1992 by Compton's Most Wanted in "

Hood Took Me Under "Hood Took Me Under" is a song by American West Coast hip hop group Compton's Most Wanted, released as a single from their third studio album ''Music to Driveby''. Its lyrics were written and performed by MC Eiht. It was recorded at Big Beat Sound ...

", in 1994 by The Notorious B.I.G. in "Warning", in 1995 by

2Pac Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...

in " Me Against The World", in 1998 by McGruff in " Harlem Kidz Get Biz", in 1999 by

MF DOOM Daniel Dumile ( ; July 13, 1971October 31, 2020), best known by his stage name MF Doom or simply Doom (both stylized in all caps), was a British-American rapper and record producer. Noted for his intricate wordplay, signature metal mask, and ...

in "Dead Bent", in 2000 by

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close a ...

in "I Can't Go to Sleep", in 1996 by

Hooverphonic Hooverphonic is a Belgian band that formed in October 1995. Though originally categorized as a trip hop group, they quickly expanded their sound to the point where they could no longer be described as a singular genre, but rather encompass altern ...

in "2 Wicky", in 2005 by

Hip Hop Pantsula Jabulani Tsambo (14 September 1980 – 24 October 2018), better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula, later shortened to HHP, was a South African Motswako rapper (Motswakolista) who performed in several languages, mostly in Setswana. He was ...

in "Let Me Be", from his album ''

YBA 2 NW ''YBA 2 NW'' is the fifth studio album of South African hip hop artist Hip Hop Pantsula Jabulani Tsambo (14 September 1980 – 24 October 2018), better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula, later shortened to HHP, was a South African Mot ...

'', and in R&B singer Beyoncé's 2016 song " 6 Inch".

Charts

Gloria Gaynor version (1975)

Gloria Gaynor Gloria Gaynor (née Fowles; born September 7, 1943) is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits " I Will Survive" (1978), " Let Me Know (I Have a Right)" (1979), " I Am What I Am" (1983), and her version of " Never Can Say Goodbye" ...

released her disco version on her 1975 album, ''

Experience Gloria Gaynor ''Experience Gloria Gaynor'' is the second album by Gloria Gaynor, released in 1975 on MGM Records. The album charted in the US Billboard at #64 in the US Pop chart, and at #32 in the US R&B chart. The album failed to chart in the UK, the single " ...

''. It became a hit in South Africa during the fall of the year, reaching #12, and #17 in Germany.

Charts

The Stranglers version (1978)

In 1978,

the Stranglers The Stranglers are an English rock band who emerged via the punk rock scene. Scoring 23 UK top 40 singles and 19 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are one of the longest-surviving bands to have origin ...

recorded a six minute version of "Walk on By" (with extended organ and guitar solos) that hit No. 21 on the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. The video for the Stranglers' version was based on the 1966 movie "

Blowup ''Blowup'' (sometimes styled as ''Blow-up'' or ''Blow Up'') is a 1966 mystery drama thriller film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and produced by Carlo Ponti. It was Antonioni's first entirely English-language film, and stars David Hemmi ...

" and was filmed in the same location as the movie, Maryon Park in London. 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 Black-and-white (B&W or B/W) images combine black and white in a continuous spectrum, producing a range of shades of grey. Media The history of various visual media began with black and white, and as technology improved, altered to color. ...

.''

Charts

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.

Charts

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.

Charts

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.

Charts

Melissa Manchester version (1989)

In 1989, "Walk On By" was covered by singer

Melissa Manchester Melissa Manchester (born February 15, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Since the 1970s, her songs have been carried by adult contemporary radio stations. She has also appeared on television, in films, and on stage. Early l ...

. Her version of the song hit number 6 on the ''Billboard''

Adult Contemporary Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, R&B, quiet ...

chart.

Charts

Sybil version (1990)

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".

Track listing

*US, 7" Vinyl single :A1: "Walk On By" (Club Mix) – 7:15 :A2: "Walk On By" (Radio) – 4:04 :B1: "Here Comes My Love" (Vocal Mix) – 3:48 :B2: "Here Comes My Love" (Instrumental) – 3:58 *UK, CD Maxi single # "Walk On By" (Club Mix) – 7:15 # "Bad Beats Suite" (Radio) – 3:12 # "Walk On By" (Dub Version) – 3:21

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Gabrielle version (1997)

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 on the

. A reviewer from ''

Music Week ''Music Week'' is a trade publication for the UK record industry distributed via a website and a monthly print magazine. It is published by Future. History Founded in 1959 as '' Record Retailer'', it relaunched on 18 March 1972 as ''Music W ...

'' rated the track five out of five, adding that the song "is given a fine treatment by Gabrielle, whose voice fits perfectly. A guaranteed radio biggie, too."

Track listings

Charts

Cyndi Lauper version (2003)

"Walk on By" was the first single from

Cyndi Lauper Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper Thornton (born June 22, 1953) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. Her career has spanned over 40 years. Her album '' She's So Unusual'' (1983) was the first debut album by a female artist to ach ...

2003 File:2003 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The crew of STS-107 perished when the Space Shuttle Columbia Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, disintegrated during reentry into Atmosphere of Earth, Earth's atmosphere; SARS became an 2002– ...

covers album, ''

At Last "At Last" is a song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film ''Sun Valley Serenade'' (1941). Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded the tune several times, with a 1942 version reaching number two on the US ''Billboard'' po ...

''. It was also included on Lauper's

2004 2004 was designated as an International Year of Rice by the United Nations, and the International Year to Commemorate the Struggle Against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO). Events January * January 3 – Flash Airlines Flight 60 ...

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

US Promotional 12" # "Walk On By" (S.A.F.'s Walk to the Dance Floor Club Mix) – 8:12 # "Walk On By" (S.A.F.'s Walk to the Dance Floor Dub Mix) – 8:12 US Promotional 12" (Remix) # "Walk On By" (Eddie X Club Mix) – 10:53 # "Walk On By" (Eddie X Dub Mix) – 7:52 US Promotional CD # "Walk On By" (Live Version) – 3:26 # "Walk On By" (Album Version) – 4:31 # "Walk On By" (Tony Moran Mix) – 4:31

Charts

Seal version (2005)

Seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, or "true seal" ** Fur seal * Seal (emblem), a device to impr ...

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.

Charts

''Spitting Image'' version (1990)

After the resignation of

Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 1975 to 1990. She was the first female British prime ...

in 1990, the British satirical television programme ''

Spitting Image ''Spitting Image'' is a television in the United Kingdom, British satire, satirical television puppet show, created by Peter Fluck, Roger Law and Martin Lambie-Nairn. First broadcast in 1984, the series was produced by 'Spitting Image Productio ...

'' adapted the lyrics of the song to highlight the large number of homeless people living on the street during her premiership.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Walk On By (Burt Bacharach and Hal David song) 1963 songs 1964 singles 1969 singles 1997 singles 2003 singles 2005 singles Songs with lyrics by Hal David Songs with music by Burt Bacharach Dionne Warwick songs Isaac Hayes songs The Stranglers songs D Train (entertainer) songs Sybil (singer) songs Gabrielle (singer) songs Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons songs Cyndi Lauper songs Seal (musician) songs Aretha Franklin songs The Beach Boys songs Gloria Gaynor songs Kiki Dee songs We Five songs Scepter Records singles Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients Helen Shapiro songs Torch songs A&M Records singles Go! Beat singles Prelude Records (record label) singles Average White Band songs