Walk on By
Aretha Franklin Lyrics
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And I start to cry each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
Make believe
That you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve
In private 'cause each time I see you
I break down and cry
And walk on by (don't stop)
And walk on by
I just can't get over losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
Walk on by, walk on by
Foolish pride
Is all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by
And walk on by
And walk by (don't stop)
Walk on by, walk on by
Foolish pride
Is all that I have left
So let me hide
The tears and the sadness you gave me
When you said goodbye
Walk on by (don't stop)
And walk on by (don't stop)
And walk by (don't stop)
The lyrics to Aretha Franklin's song Walk On By depict the painful experience of encountering an ex-lover after a breakup. The singer implores her former partner to continue walking by and to make believe that they don't see her tears. She requests that she be allowed to grieve in private and not be forced to confront her emotions in public. The lyrics convey a sense of heartbreak and loss, as the singer struggles to come to terms with the end of the relationship.
The line "foolish pride is all that I have left" speaks to a common experience of feeling the need to maintain one's dignity and composure in the face of heartbreak. The singer is expressing a desire to save face and conceal her emotional turmoil from the world. However, the repeated refrain "walk on by" suggests that she knows deep down that this is not a sustainable coping mechanism. The song ultimately leaves the listener with a sense of unresolved pain and emotional turmoil, as the singer struggles to move on from the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
If you see me walking down the street
If you happen to come across me walking on the street
And I start to cry each time we meet
And my eyes well up with tears every time I see you
Walk on by, walk on by
Please just keep walking past me and don't stop
Make believe
Pretend
That you don't see the tears
That you didn't notice the tears in my eyes
Just let me grieve
Just let me mourn and cry
In private 'cause each time I see you
Away from you, because every time I see you
I break down and cry
I can't control my emotions and I start crying
And walk on by (don't stop)
And keep walking past me, don't stop
And walk on by (don't stop)
And keep walking past me, don't stop
And walk on by
And keep walking past me
I just can't get over losing you
I'm still struggling to move on from losing you
And so if I seem broken and blue
So if I appear sad and heartbroken
Walk on by, walk on by
Please just keep walking past me and don't stop
Foolish pride
My unhelpful and misguided sense of self-importance
Is all that I have left
Is the only thing I have left to hold onto
So let me hide
So let me conceal
The tears and the sadness you gave me
The tears and sadness that you caused by leaving me
When you said goodbye
When you ended our relationship
Walk on by
Please just keep walking past me
And walk on by
Please just keep walking past me
And walk by (don't stop)
And keep walking past me, don't stop
Walk on by, walk on by
Please just keep walking past me and don't stop
Foolish pride
My unhelpful and misguided sense of self-importance
Is all that I have left
Is the only thing I have left to hold onto
So let me hide
So let me conceal
The tears and the sadness you gave me
The tears and sadness that you caused by leaving me
When you said goodbye
When you ended our relationship
Walk on by (don't stop)
Please just keep walking past me and don't stop
And walk on by (don't stop)
Please just keep walking past me and don't stop
And walk by (don't stop)
And keep walking past me, don't stop
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevenlewis8522
I've always loved this version. So much feeling. She knows exactly what she's singing about. No playing around!
@debhoult3330
This song shows exactly why she is known as Queen of Soul.
@adamsdivine9484
Yes it is true her physical looks gives the prove
@roninslv
@Adams Divine
I think she's playiing piano on this cut too.
@danieljohnson2539
Amazingly, I love Dionne Warwick music, but when Aretha covers a song, she simply owns it!
@rasseruuu373
nope. Dionne Warwick's is way better.
@memoirsofamariah211
Would've loved to see her do a live performance of this. Her live improv always are impressive. Also I think an arrangement like Florence Ballard's Walk On By version would've fit Aretha really well.
@user-hh3vm3nr2q
I love this one...amazing
vocals...very nice...
@silviaarantes9789
Such wonderful voice!love this Queen!!👏👏👏
@marianisetiadharma89
Loved this song so beautiful and peaceful.