Hailing from South London, more specifically Croydon, RAYE (real name - Rac… Read Full Bio ↴Hailing from South London, more specifically Croydon, RAYE (real name - Rachel Keen) is a British singer-songwriter. Aside from writing hits for other artists, RAYE has bounced between R&B, pop and dance music in regards to her own discography. Her debut album and one of her first independent releases "'My 21st Century Blues'', was released on February 3 2023.

RAYE’s debut EP 'Welcome To The Winter' was released in 2014 and was comprised of predominantly R&B sounds. After signing with Polydor Records, RAYE had her breakthrough by featuring on the 2016 singles; "By Your Side" by Jonas Blue and "You Don't Know Me" by Jax Jones. The latter, co-written by RAYE herself, would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart. Both songs were certified platinum or higher by the BPI, and marked a shift in RAYE’s career both commercially and sonically. After releasing the 'Second' EP in 2016, RAYE released "I, U, Us" as the lead single alongside a Charli XCX directed music video. This marked the first collaboration of several between the British songwriters. RAYE later co-wrote XCX's song "After the Afterparty" and appeared on a remix version, as well as featuring on the track "Dreamer" from her 2017 mixtape 'Number 1 Angel'. RAYE was short-listed for the BBC Music Sound of... award for 2017 and was named in third place. Later in the year, RAYE released the platinum certified hit "Decline" featuring Mr. Eazi, which would serve as the lead single from her 'Side Tape' EP which followed in May 2018. In October 2018, RAYE embarked on her own headlining tour, visiting a number of cities around the UK and Ireland.

After releasing multiple singles in 2019 and 2020, RAYE’s debut mini-album, 'Euphoric Sad Songs' was released on 20 November 2020. The project featured the top 10 hit "Secrets" with Regard as well as "Regardless" with Rudimental. In early 2021, RAYE released the single "Bed" with Joel Corry and David Guetta. The song would peak at number three on the UK Singles Chart, becoming RAYE’s highest charting single as a lead artist on the chart. Later in the year, RAYE took to social media to reveal that her record label, Polydor Records, has been withholding her debut album for several years. Following the statements, RAYE disclosed in July that she is now officially an independent artist.

RAYE was brought up in a musical family - her parents met at church - both of them musicians in the parish, and her musical heritage goes right back to her Grandfather, who was a songwriter and musician in his own right. Since the age of 10, she's been writing her own music, slowly developing all the time to become the artist she is today. Along the way, RAYE has become confidently adept at various different instruments including the cello, flute, and piano, alongside honing her production skills (and learning to play the guitar). Music has always been a huge part of RAYE’s life. Brought up on the classic soul/jazz maestros of the 40's and 50's like Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole etc - this is where her love for songwriting and melody began. Since then her influences, have aligned with the times, citing Drake, and her all time hero Lauryn Hill as huge sources of inspiration.

Walk On By
Raye Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by

I, I am one year sober now from your lips, oh, yeah
At the Mondrian Hotel in California
When temptation called me, I couldn't say no
So I let you hold my heart once more

We made sweet lovin' (oh)
Then I climbed out of bed, left a kiss on your neck, let you sleep alone
Oh, let you sleep alone, oh
So sweet, mean lovin'
I shut the door, took the wine and I drank and I cried 'til I let you go

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Walk on by
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
But, baby, if you see me tonight
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Don't say hi
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Walk on by
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
By
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)

Yeah, mmm
Tried to picture me tipsy in the cab home, yeah
On the sunset strippin' skies in California, uh
As the tears rolled down and fall onto my phone
Saw a text from you sayin', "Where did you go?"

We made sweet lovin' (oh)
Then I climbed out of bed, left a kiss on your neck, let you sleep alone
Oh, let you sleep alone, oh
So sweet, mean lovin'
I shut the door, took the wine and I drank and I cried 'til I let you go

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi (don't you dare look in my eyes)
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Walk on by (no, no, no)
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
But, baby, if you see me tonight
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Don't say hi
(Don't, don't, don't do it)
Walk on by
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)

Don't you dare leave
Stop the peace I found without you, baby
Don't say hi
Walk on by
Bye, bye, bye
Bye, bye

Oh, if you see me tonight, if you see me tonight
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up
If you see me tonight, I want cold as ice
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
I can't let you remind me

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by
Oh, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by (you better)
So, baby, if you see me tonight (know you better)
Don't say hi
Walk on by
So, baby, if you see me tonight (no, no, no, no)
Don't say hi to me
Walk on pass by me, baby

Oh, if you see me tonight, if you see me tonight
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up
If you see me tonight, I want cold as ice

No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
I can't let you remind me

Overall Meaning

In RAYE's song "Walk On By," the lyrics tell a story of a person who has recently become sober and is trying to resist the temptation of reconnecting with an ex-lover. The singer reflects on a past encounter with this person at the Mondrian Hotel in California, where they gave in to temptation. Despite the intimate moments they shared, the singer ultimately decides to leave and let the person sleep alone. The lyrics express the complexity of emotions that this decision brings, as they consume wine and cry to cope with the pain of letting go.

The chorus emphasizes the singer's plea for the ex-lover to not acknowledge their presence if they were to see each other that night. The repetition of "Don't say hi, walk on by" highlights the need for distance and continued separation. The lyrics suggest that the singer has found newfound peace without the ex-lover, and they do not want to be reminded of the past and the emotions that come with it.

Overall, "Walk On By" captures the struggle of resisting temptation and moving on from a past relationship. It portrays the singer's determination to maintain their sobriety and find peace without the presence of the ex-lover.

Line by Line Meaning

Baby, if you see me tonight
If you happen to encounter me this evening

Don't say hi
Please refrain from greeting me

Walk on by
Simply continue on your way without acknowledging me

I, I am one year sober now from your lips, oh, yeah
I have abstained from the intoxication of your kisses for a whole year

At the Mondrian Hotel in California
At a specific location, the Mondrian Hotel in California

When temptation called me, I couldn't say no
When I was enticed, I couldn't resist

So I let you hold my heart once more
So I allowed you to possess my heart again

We made sweet lovin' (oh)
We engaged in passionate intimacy

Then I climbed out of bed, left a kiss on your neck, let you sleep alone
Afterward, I left your bed, planted a kiss on your neck, and left you to slumber by yourself

Oh, let you sleep alone, oh
Oh, I left you to sleep without my presence, oh

So sweet, mean lovin'
Such bittersweet affection

I shut the door, took the wine and I drank and I cried 'til I let you go
I closed the door, grabbed the wine, and consumed it as I wept until I released you from my grasp

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Therefore, if you happen to spot me tonight

Don't say hi
Please refrain from uttering a greeting

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I implore you not to do it)

Walk on by
Just continue walking past me without stopping

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(I urge you not to engage with me during this encounter)

But, baby, if you see me tonight
However, darling, if you come across me tonight

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I plead with you not to do it)

Don't say hi
Please abstain from greeting me

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I beg of you not to do it)

Walk on by
Simply keep on walking without acknowledging me

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(I strongly advise against engaging with me)

By
By your own accord

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(Abstain from doing it, I implore you)

Yeah, mmm
Yes, mmm

Tried to picture me tipsy in the cab home, yeah
Attempted to imagine me inebriated in the taxi on my way home, yes

On the sunset strippin' skies in California, uh
During the sun setting over the beautiful California skies, uh

As the tears rolled down and fall onto my phone
While tears streamed down my cheeks and landed on my phone

Saw a text from you sayin', "Where did you go?"
Encountered a message from you asking, "Where did you disappear to?"

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Therefore, darling, if you happen to come across me tonight

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I implore you not to do it)

Don't say hi (don't you dare look in my eyes)
Please refrain from greeting me (and don't even dare make eye contact)

Walk on by (no, no, no)
Simply continue walking past me (no, no, no)

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(I urge you not to engage with me during this encounter)

But, baby, if you see me tonight
However, darling, if you come across me tonight

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I plead with you not to do it)

Don't say hi
Please refrain from greeting me

(Don't, don't, don't do it)
(I beg of you not to do it)

Walk on by
Simply keep on walking without acknowledging me

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(I strongly advise against engaging with me)

(Don't, don't, don't do it, no, no)
(Refrain from doing it, I implore you)

Don't you dare leave
Absolutely do not depart

Stop the peace I found without you, baby
Disrupt the tranquility I have discovered without your presence, darling

Don't say hi
Please refrain from uttering a greeting

Walk on by
Just continue walking past me without stopping

Bye, bye, bye
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

Oh, if you see me tonight, if you see me tonight
Oh, if you happen to encounter me this evening, if you happen to encounter me this evening

No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
No, do not, do not, do not, do not come looking for me

Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Do not, do not, do not, do not, do not attempt to engage with me

Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up
Absolutely do not take a sip of your wine, darling, contain it within the bottle

If you see me tonight, I want cold as ice
If you happen to come across me tonight, I desire to be as cold as ice

No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
No, do not, do not, do not, do not come looking for me

I can't let you remind me
I cannot allow you to evoke memories within me

Baby, if you see me tonight
Darling, if you happen to encounter me this evening

Don't say hi
Please refrain from greeting me

Walk on by
Just continue walking past me without stopping

Oh, baby, if you see me tonight
Oh, darling, if you come across me tonight

Don't say hi
Please abstain from uttering a greeting

Walk on by (you better)
Simply keep on walking past me (you would be wise to)

So, baby, if you see me tonight (know you better)
So, darling, if you happen to spot me tonight (you should understand me better)

Don't say hi
Please refrain from greeting me

Walk on by
Just continue walking without acknowledging me

So, baby, if you see me tonight (no, no, no, no)
So, darling, if you happen to encounter me tonight (no, no, no, no)

Don't say hi to me
Do not utter a greeting towards me

Walk on pass by me, baby
Simply continue walking past me, darling

Oh, if you see me tonight, if you see me tonight
Oh, if you happen to encounter me this evening, if you happen to encounter me this evening

No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
No, do not, do not, do not, do not come looking for me

Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Do not, do not, do not, do not, do not attempt to engage with me

Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up
Absolutely do not take a sip of your wine, darling, contain it within the bottle

If you see me tonight, I want cold as ice
If you happen to come across me tonight, I desire to be as cold as ice

No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
No, do not, do not, do not, do not come looking for me

I can't let you remind me
I cannot allow you to evoke memories within me

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Edwards, Aaron Williams, Anton Karl Edwin Goeransson, Isabella Anna Maria Sjostrand, Rachel Agatha Keen

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Zeiven Music ♪

3y↑45

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by

I am one year sober now from your lips, oh
At the Montreal Hotel in California
The temptation caught me, I couldn't say no
So I let you hold my heart once more

We've made sweet loving
That I can't get back
Left a kiss on your neck
Let you sleep alone
Won't let you sleep alone, no

Such sweet, real loving
Shut the door, took the wine
And I drink and I cry till I let you go

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by
By

Tried to picture me tipsy in the cab home
The sunset stripping skies in California
As the tears roll down and fall onto my phone
Saw a text from you, say, where did you go?

We've made sweet loving
That I can't get back
Left a kiss on your neck
Let you sleep alone
Won't let you sleep alone, no

Such sweet, real loving
Shut the door, took the wine
And I drink and I cry till I let you go

So, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Don't you dare look in my eyes
Walk on by
No, no, no

Oh, baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by

Don't you let it
Stop the peace I've found
Without you baby

Don't say hi
Walk on by
By, by, by
By, by

Oh, if you see me tonight
If you see me tonight
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up

If you see me tonight
I'm one cold as ice
No, don't, don't, don't come find me
I can't let you remind me

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by

Baby, if you see me tonight
Don't say hi
Walk on by
You better

(Baby, if you see me tonight)
Oh, you better
(Don't say hi)
(Walk on by)

(Baby, if you see me tonight)
No, no, no, no, no
Don't say hi to me
Walk on that side of me, babe
(Walk on by)

Oh, if you see me tonight
If you see me tonight
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't try me
Don't you dare sip your wine, baby, bottle it up

If you see me tonight
I'm one cold as ice
No, don't, don't, don't, don't come find me
I can't let you remind me
(byw i'm a singer/songwriter inspired by Lauv/Jeremy Zucker.It'd mean a lot if you check out my music and subscribe,promise you won't regret💛stay safe:)

On my own

None Believer

Ur probably tripping bro

Riri One time

3y↑7

Me tooooo and I’m crying now coz Natalie is a bitch ☹️

Ryan G

3y↑8

shes made me cry all day . god shes fucking amazing !! the only concert i will buy tickets to during covid i swear haha

Zeiven Music ♪

3y↑45

Sou Centelha %🍑

3y↑6

Eu posso me ver andando pelas ruas com fones ouvido esse hino ... tão relaxante!🎧🚶‍♂️

Em Chan

3y↑9

This is my greatest fear pre-pandemic, but I'm glad theres a song that captures my feelings so well 😌

Mel Zaharie

3y↑7

Omg I love it 😍 Raye is my absolute favourite singer 💙

땅콩공룡

3y↑5

와..이번 노래도 음색 진짜 좋다..이 언니 특유의 음색이 장난아니야..

Esteban Rexha

3y↑7

raye needs more support 🥺💖

Piotr Sujecki

3y↑3

Raye - marzę o tobie codziennie od wielu wielu dni. Your Music amazing good

selena

3y↑2

wawww So professionell,soooo gut..perfect,hammer Stimme💯💯🏆👍🏆🏆❤

Stevie P

3y↑3

The incandescent friction emotionally complete because barbara regrettably help after a pumped request. royal, thundering missile

Ana maria Gálvez

3y↑5

Directo al corazón 🙏

Charbel Malo

3y↑8

SCORPIOS ARE THE BEST ZODIAC SIGN AND THIS IS LIVING PROOF!

IMAARIANATOR

@a A te bloqueo? 🙀🌺🌺😙🌺🌹💭🌹❗😱😱❗😴🌺

Michelle Ment

Water signs period! We deliverrrrrr❤️ my Pisces heart fell out when she titled her EP euphoric. I always say “euphoriaaa vibes” & she has truly mastered it . Her music gives me a high... don’t even have to drink or smoke to feel it

Charbel Malo

@Hillary Brookes We stan pisces just don't be a gemini or aries

Hillary Brookes

3y↑1

Hey don't forget the Pisces squad thinking this song is absolute FIRE 🔥 🔥😍

Guillem Bilbao

ser ena

3y↑15

I’m not the only one who noticed the “don’t don’t do it” 😭

3y↑2

💕💕💕💕💕💕

THATS ASTONISHING

DinoMa Dev

3y↑1

Ye, my 2021 discovery 😍

Donah Shibing Sowiya Joseph Saintilus

Esta es la versión femenina de The Weeknd.

Skinniest Kween

3y↑4

📂MUSIC
.
.📂POP
.
.📂BOPS
.
. 📂RAYE
.
. 📂BAD SONGS
.
. 📂🚫This folder is empty.

iToraino

3y↑1

Exactly

Tetris 天使たち

3y↑3

YESSS

Jay Bainbridge

3y↑3

Tuuuune

Chris Wayne Namibia

3y↑1

Geewz

On my own

3y↑2

Noella Clarke

3y↑2

W.o.w

habakuk dk

3y↑1

Raye; you need to get over Natalie - anyhow I like it in this song too :-) By the way: You are a STAR!

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