In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Walk On By
Asleep At The Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pardon me if I don't say hello (hello)
I be long to an other, it wouldn't look so good
To know someone I'm not supposed to know.
[Chorus]
Just walk on by, wait on the corner
I love you, but we're strangers when we meet
I love you, but we're strangers when we meet.
In a dimly lit corner in a place outside of town
Tonight we'll try to say goodbye again (goodbye)
But I know it's not over, I'll call tomorrow night
I can't let you go, so why pretend.
[Chorus]
The lyrics of "Walk On By" by Asleep At The Wheel express the feeling of impossibility and restriction in a prohibited love affair. The song is about a person who sees their lover on the street, but because they belong to someone else, they pretend not to know them. The singer is trying to come to terms with the reality of the situation, knowing that being with their lover is not an option. Despite their love for each other, they are forced to go their separate ways, living as strangers and leading different lives.
The chorus of the song repeats the idea that even though they love each other, they cannot be seen together, so they have to act like strangers. The song's message is poignant and powerful, expressing the pain of being in love with someone you cannot be with.
Overall, "Walk On By" is a heart-wrenching country ballad that tells the story of two star-crossed lovers who are unable to be together. The song is a testament to the enduring nature of forbidden love, despite the pain it brings.
Line by Line Meaning
If I see you tomorrow on some street in town
If by chance I see you tomorrow as we walk the same street
Pardon me if I don't say hello (hello)
Forgive me if I don't greet or acknowledge you
I belong to another, it wouldn't look so good
I am in a committed relationship with someone else, and it wouldn't be appropriate to associate with you
To know someone I'm not supposed to know.
It would be wrong for me to have any sort of relationship with someone I'm forbidden to be with
Just walk on by, wait on the corner
Please continue walking and wait at the corner
I love you, but we're strangers when we meet
Although I have feelings for you, in reality we are unfamiliar to each other
In a dimly lit corner in a place outside of town
We will meet in a far-off, poorly lit location
Tonight we'll try to say goodbye again (goodbye)
We will attempt to say farewell to each other once more
But I know it's not over, I'll call tomorrow night
However, I know I can't let you go and will contact you again tomorrow night
I can't let you go, so why pretend.
I can't bear to let you go and see no point in pretending otherwise
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Kendall Hayes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.