THE LEFT BANKE – WALK AWAY RENEE

WALK AWAY RENEE

THE LEFT BANKE

SONGWRITER: Michael Brown, Bob Calilli & Tony Sansone

COUNTRY: U.S.A.

ALBUM: THE BODYGUARD: ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK ALBUM

LABEL: ARISTA RECORDS

GENRE: R & B

YEAR: 1992

"Walk Away Renée" is a song written by Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, and Tony Sansone for the band the Left Banke, released as a single in July 1966. Steve Martin Caro is featured on lead vocals. After its initial release, it spent 13 weeks on the U.S. charts, with a top spot of number 5.

The song features an oboe solo played during the instrumental bridge of the middle portion of the song. Brown got the idea from the flute solo from the Mamas & the Papas song "California Dreamin'" which had been recorded in November 1965 but wasn't a hit and in heavy rotation until early 1966. The arrangement also includes a lush string orchestration, a jangling harpsichord part, and a descending chromatic bass melody. Its production was credited to World United Productions, Inc., but the session was produced by Brown's father, jazz and classical violinist Harry Lookofsky, who also led the string players.

Rolling Stone placed "Walk Away Renée" at number 220 in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song returned to nationwide charts with cover versions by The Four Tops (1967) and Rick Price (1993).

And when I see the sign that points "One Way "

The one we used to pass by every day

Just walk away Renee

You won't see me follow you back home

The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same

You're not to blame

From deep inside the fear that I forced aside

From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide

Just walk away Renee

You won't see me follow you back home

Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes

For me it cries

Just walk away Renee

You won't see me follow you back home

Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes

For me it cries

Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall

Still find a way to haunt me, though they're so small

Just walk away Renee

You won't see me follow you back home

The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same

You're not to blame