On which album of the American singer Dionne Warwick does the song Walk On By appear?
Last Updated:
The song Walk On By, performed by American singer Dionne Warwick, appears on her album Make Way for Dionne Warwick, released in 1964. This track is one of the biggest hits of her career and perfectly illustrates the fruitful collaboration between Warwick and legendary songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Born in New Jersey in 1940, Dionne Warwick established herself in the 1960s as one of the most distinctive voices in American soul and pop music. Her career took off thanks to her collaboration with Bacharach and David, who wrote an impressive string of hits for her. Together, they created a recognizable sound, combining melodic sophistication, orchestral arrangements, and a vocal performance that was both soft and intense.
Among these collaborations, Walk On By holds a special place. Written in 1964, the song tells the story of a woman who, after a breakup, asks her former lover not to talk to her and to simply “walk on by” when he sees her. Behind the simplicity of the words lies great emotional intensity, reinforced by Dionne Warwick’s nuanced and elegant voice.
The song appears on the album Make Way for Dionne Warwick, released in August 1964 by Scepter Records. This album marks an important milestone in the singer’s career, as it consolidates her reputation as a refined artist and brings her international recognition. In addition to Walk On By, the album contains other notable tracks such as Reach Out for Me and You’ll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart), which demonstrate the extent of Warwick’s talent and the quality of Bacharach and David’s compositions.
Walk On By was an instant success. In the United States, the song reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reached number one on the R&B chart. But it was internationally that the song became a true standard, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it was a huge hit. The song quickly established itself as one of Dionne Warwick’s signature songs.
Beyond its commercial success, Walk On By has become a timeless classic. It has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, each bringing their own sensibility to it. Among the most famous covers are Isaac Hayes’ 1969 version, which was a long and hypnotic soul-funk rendition, and The Stranglers’ 1978 version, which adapted it into a new wave rock style. Each reinterpretation demonstrates the richness and flexibility of the original composition.
But it is Dionne Warwick’s version, with its delicate interpretation and impeccable phrasing, that remains the most iconic. It perfectly embodies the Bacharach-David aesthetic: complex yet accessible arrangements, memorable melodies, and sincere emotion conveyed by a singer with flawless technique.
The album Make Way for Dionne Warwick and the song Walk On By represent a decisive step in the evolution of pop and soul music in the 1960s. They also illustrate how Dionne Warwick was able to create a personal style, far from vocal exuberance, favoring subtlety and elegance. This approach made her a major influence on many singers who followed in her footsteps.
The song Walk On By appears on the album Make Way for Dionne Warwick, released in 1964. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this song not only propelled Dionne Warwick to international stardom, but also became a standard covered and reinterpreted by many artists. More than fifty years after its release, Walk On By continues to embody Dionne Warwick’s finesse and emotional power, as well as the golden age of the collaboration between Bacharach and David.
music
On which album of the American singer Dionne Warwick does the song Walk On By appear?
Answer
Dionne Warwick's song Walk On By appears on her album Make Way for Dionne Warwick, released in 1964, a huge hit written by Bacharach and David.