Walk On By (1964)

"Walk On By" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963. Warwick's recording of the song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one 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 his version reached number 30 on the Hot 100 chart and number 13 in the R&B charts. "Walk On By" has since charted numerous times in various countries, with wildly different arrangements.

In 1998, the 1964 release by Dionne Warwick on Scepter Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Dionne Warwick original version (1964)

The original version of "Walk On By" by Dionne Warwick was recorded at Bell Sound Studios in New York City, the same late November/early 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. (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. "Walk On By" became Warwick's second international million seller, following "Anyone Who Had A Heart" in January 1964. Warwick also recorded a German version of the song, titled "Geh vorbei".

Session drummer Gary Chester 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, Julius Held, and George Ockner on violin, Harold Coletta on viola, Lucien Schmit on cello, Paul Winter on saxophone, and George Devens on percussion.

In 2023, Warwick's recording was sampled by Doja Cat for her single "Paint the Town Red". It reached number one on the Hot 100 on the issue dated September 16, 2023, marking the first time Warwick's voice appeared at number one since "That's What Friends Are For" in 1986.

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 the band's only hit.

Isaac Hayes version (1969)

Isaac Hayes released a cover version of "Walk On By" in 1969 on the album Hot Buttered Soul, transforming the song into a 12-minute funk vamp. A single edit reached number 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Hayes's version was ranked No. 312 in the 2021 edition of Rolling Stone's "Top 500 Songs of All Time".

Samples

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 Faith Evans in "No Other Love", from the album Faith; 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 2016 in Beyoncé's "6 Inch".

Gloria Gaynor version (1975)

American singer 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, where it reached number 12, and number 17 in West Germany.

The Stranglers version (1978)

In 1978, the Stranglers recorded a version of "Walk on By" which reached No. 21 on the UK singles chart. This six-minute version of the song features extended Hammond organ and guitar solos which Gene Becker of AllMusic likened to the Doors' "Light My Fire". A music video was produced for the single, parodying Michelangelo Antonioni's 1966 film Blowup. As with key sequences of the film, the Stranglers video was filmed largely in London's Maryon Park. The single's chart performance may have been impaired by the fact that an EP featuring the song had been given away with the first 75,000 copies of the band's album Black and White.

Average White Band version (1979)

The Average White Band cut a lightly disco-tinged version (featuring reggae and funk underpinnings) that charted in 1979.

D-Train version (1982)

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

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 six.

Melissa Manchester version (1989)

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