"Walk On By" is a song composed by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963.[2] 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[3] with his version. "Walk On By" has since charted numerous times in various countries, with wildly different arrangements.
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"Walk On By" | ||||
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Single by Dionne Warwick | ||||
from the album Make Way for Dionne Warwick | ||||
B-side | "Any Old Time of Day" | |||
Released | April 26, 1964 | |||
Studio | Bell Sound, New York City | |||
Genre |
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Length | 2:55 | |||
Label | Scepter | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Dionne Warwick singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"Walk on By" on YouTube | ||||
The original version of "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City,[4] 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.[5] (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 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.[6] "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[7] as did session bassist Russ Savakus.[8] 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".[9]
Chart (1964) | Peak position |
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Australia | 28 |
Canada | 14 |
France (IFOP)[10] | 49 |
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[11] | 4 |
UK Singles (OCC) | 9 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 6 |
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 7 |
US Cashbox R&B | 1 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Sales since November 14, 2004 |
Silver | 200,000![]() |
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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 (1966) | Peak position |
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Canada Singles (RPM 100) | 8 |
"Walk On By" | ||||
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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[13] | |||
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 | ||||
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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. His version was ranked No. 312 in the 2021 edition of "Top 500 Songs of All Time" by Rolling Stone Magazine.[14]
Hayes's version 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 1998 by McGruff in "Harlem Kidz Get Biz", 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", in 2005 by Hip Hop Pantsula in "Let Me Be", from his album YBA 2 NW, and in R&B singer Beyoncé's 2016 song "6 Inch".
Chart (1969) | Peak position |
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US Billboard Hot 100 | 30 |
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard) | 13 |
"Walk On By" | |
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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 |
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Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) | 12 |
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) | 14 |
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia) | 29 |
Canada | 90 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 22 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 19 |
South Africa (Springbok)[15] | 12 |
US Billboard Hot 100[16] | 98 |
West Germany (Official German Charts) | 17 |
"Walk On By" | ||||
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Single by The Stranglers | ||||
B-side | "Old Codger", "Tank" | |||
Released | 1978 (UK) | |||
Genre | Post-punk, new wave, psychedelic rock | |||
Length | 6:22 | |||
Label | United Artists | |||
Songwriter(s) | Burt Bacharach Hal David | |||
Producer(s) | Martin Rushent | |||
The Stranglers singles chronology | ||||
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Official audio | ||||
"Walk on By" on YouTube | ||||
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.[17] 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.[18] 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 (1978) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC)[17] | 21 |
The Average White Band cut a lightly disco-tinged version (featuring reggae and funk underpinnings) that charted in 1979.[19] 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 (1979) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC) | 46 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 92 |
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 (1982) | Peak position |
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UK Singles (OCC) | 44 |
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard) | 42 |
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) | 45 |
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 (1983) | Peak position |
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Australia | 55 |
New Zealand | 6 |
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 (1989) | Peak position |
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US Adult Contemporary (Billboard) | 6 |
"Walk On By" | ||||
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Single by Sybil | ||||
from the album Sybil | ||||
Released | 1990 | |||
Genre |
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Length | 4:04 | |||
Label | PWL Records | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Eddie O'Loughlin | |||
Sybil singles chronology | ||||
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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".
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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"Walk On By" | ||||
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Single by Gabrielle | ||||
from the album Gabrielle | ||||
B-side | "Something to Talk About" | |||
Released | 20 January 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1996 | |||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label |
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Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | The Boilerhouse Boys | |||
Gabrielle singles chronology | ||||
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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 UK Singles Chart.
A reviewer from Music Week 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."[26]
No. | Title | Length |
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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 |
No. | Title | Length |
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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 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Walk On By" | 3:21 |
2. | "Something To Talk About" | 4:13 |
Chart (1997) | Peak position |
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Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[30] | 41 |
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[31] | 19 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[32] | 96 |
Scotland (OCC)[33] | 12 |
UK Singles (OCC)[34] | 7 |
UK R&B (OCC)[35] | 2 |
"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.
US Promotional 12"[36]
US Promotional 12" (Remix)[37]
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US Promotional CD[38]
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Chart (2004) | Peak position |
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US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard) | 10 |
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 (2004–2005) | Peak position |
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Australia (ARIA)[39] | 94 |
Australian Urban (ARIA)[40] | 22 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[41] | 57 |
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[42] | 8 |
Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[43] | 2 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[44] | 49 |
Italy (FIMI)[45] | 27 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[46] | 46 |
After the resignation of Margaret Thatcher in 1990, the British satirical television programme Spitting Image adapted the lyrics of the song to highlight the large number of homeless people living on the street during her premiership.[47]
“Walk on By” is perfect pop...
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