Wells is the collaborative work of Miles R. Waltuck and Stephanie H. Shih, … Read Full Bio ↴Wells is the collaborative work of Miles R. Waltuck and Stephanie H. Shih, a team spread distantly (though sometimes nearer than not) across the East Coast. Since the summer of 2007 Wells has haltingly gathered together to record a song at a time, each in a single night. The melodies that emerge from the Waltuck family basement are sweet and fun, good for both falling asleep and waking up to. Increasingly, the pair passes itself off as musicians who actually know how to play the instruments they are playing, though listeners ought not be fooled.

Wells is also the recording project of Chicagoans Chris Howaniec and Zane Ranney, both members of now-defunct folk-rock band World's First Flying Machine. This Wells plays mid-to-downtempo rock, drawing from its influences in psych rock, slowcore, ambient and early-'90s emo. Chris Howaniec is the songwriter, arranger, vocalist and producer, playing all parts on their two EPs ("Wells" and "Feel Bad") except the drums, which Zane Ranney is infinitely better at.

Wells is also also the name of a former four-man group from Charlottesville, VA that disbanded in January 2006.

Walk On By
Wells Lyrics

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Every day at the same time on the corner of 3rd of main
I take my place against the corner shop window waitin for the scene to change

The first time I saw her
Everything started to spin
So back on up boy and hold on tight cause here she comes again

Watchin my world walk by

What I wouldnt give to have her by my side
Watchin my world
My world walk by

Shes got eyes like a Sunday in Paris
Legs like a midnight in Rome
Smile as warm as the California sun
Setting on a seaside town

Watchin my world walk by
What I wouldnt give to have her by my side
Watchin my world
My world walking by

Hey hey hey hey
One of these days
Im gonna step out and stand in her way
And hope that maybe she'll notice me
But tonight im gonna watch and wait and see

Watchin my world walk by
What I wouldnt give to have her by my side
Watchin my world
My world walking by

Oh and down this street
I belive she'll be next to me
You'll be wachin me and my world walk by

Hey hey hey hey yeah yeah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Walk On By" by Wells paint a vivid picture of a person who is infatuated with someone they see passing by every day at a specific location. The singer describes how they eagerly anticipate this encounter, positioning themselves by a corner shop window on the corner of 3rd and Main, waiting for the moment when their love interest will appear. This routine sets the stage for the emotional journey that unfolds throughout the song.

The singer's reaction to seeing the person of their affection for the first time is intense and overwhelming, as everything around them seems to blur and spin. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and excitement, urging the listener to brace themselves for the impact of this awe-inspiring presence. This initial encounter sets the tone for the singer's persistent longing and admiration for this mysterious individual.

The lyrics use vivid imagery to paint a portrait of the person the singer is captivated by, likening her eyes to a picturesque Sunday in Paris, her legs to the magic of midnight in Rome, and her smile to the warmth of the California sun setting on a seaside town. These comparisons highlight the singer's idealized perception of this person, elevating her to a mythical status in their eyes. The imagery evokes a sense of longing and desire, emphasizing the beauty and allure of the object of their affection.

As the song progresses, the singer expresses their yearning to step out of the shadows and make a bold move to catch the attention of their love interest. Despite this desire, they acknowledge that for now, they are content to watch and wait, hoping for a moment when their paths will intersect. The lyrics convey a sense of patience and anticipation, as the singer navigates the bittersweet experience of yearning for someone who seems just out of reach. The repetition of the chorus underscores the singer's wistful longing, as they watch their world pass by, dreaming of a future where their beloved will be by their side.

Line by Line Meaning

Every day at the same time on the corner of 3rd of main
Consistently, I position myself on the street corner of 3rd and main, eagerly awaiting a change in my surroundings.

I take my place against the corner shop window waitin for the scene to change
I stand by the window of the corner shop, anticipating a shift in the surroundings.

The first time I saw her
Upon my initial encounter with her,

Everything started to spin
My world became dizzy and chaotic,

So back on up boy and hold on tight cause here she comes again
So brace yourself and get ready, because she is approaching once more.

Watchin my world walk by
Observing my surroundings pass before me,

What I wouldnt give to have her by my side
I would do anything to have her beside me,

Shes got eyes like a Sunday in Paris
Her eyes evoke the tranquility of a Sunday in Paris,

Legs like a midnight in Rome
Her legs resemble the allure of a midnight stroll in Rome,

Smile as warm as the California sun
Her smile radiates warmth akin to the California sun,

Setting on a seaside town
As it sets over a coastal town,

Hey hey hey hey
Exclamations of anticipation and excitement,

One of these days
Sometime in the future,

Im gonna step out and stand in her way
I will confidently interrupt her path,