Walk On By

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 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 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. Charts Weekly charts Year-end 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 the band's only hit. Charts ==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 twelve-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 Stones "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, Charts ==The Stranglers version (1978)==

In 1978, the Stranglers recorded a version of "Walk on By" which reached No. 21 on the UK singles chart.{{cite book 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. Charts ==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. 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 six. Charts ==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. 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 UK hit with "Walk On By". It was produced by Eddie O'Loughlin and released by PWL Records, as the third single from her second album, Sybil (1989). 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 seven 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." Track listings Charts ==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 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 (2004)==

Seal released a version of "Walk On By" as a single in 2004. Though the song did not chart in his native UK, it made the lower reaches of the charts in several European countries. Charts ==References==