The Stranglers (O2 Academy Oxford 2012) and Dionne Warwick (Rainbow Room New York 31st December 1996) - Got It Covered! #3

 

We are talking 'Walk On By' here. The song in the hands of The Stranglers is one of those rare examples of a cover version that if not an improvement on the original (and let's face it a Hal David/Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick collaboration rates pretty high on a Quality Control scale) brings something totally original to the new version. Of course it is the instrumental break in The Stranglers' version that takes the song to another level and most especially Dave Greenfield's contribution to the track. By the time of it's UK release in 1978, whilst a significant number of music journalists had good reason to treat the band with disdain, none among them had any doubts when it came to the band's musicality. On no other song released up to that point had the bands musical competence been showcased to such stunning effect. On top of that, that The Stranglers chose to cover a 1964 behemoth of the 'easy listening' genre would also raise a few eyebrows for sure (although the song had been a live inclusion in the set prior to the studio recording). How was in that it only peaked at 21 in the UK charts... too long for airplay?

Here's the band in Oxford playing the track in March 2012.

MP3: https://we.tl/t-CCYYd27V0ev1ASmf

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-pr43fsXweXrdHnFz

With music composed by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, 'Walk On By' was offered to Dionne Warwick in late 1963. Upon release in 1964 it made number 6 in the US Billboard chart. Moreover, it was a Grammy Award nominated single and Warwick's 1964 original was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1988. Unsurprisingly, the song has been a cover of choice for many established artists (as well as pub singers!), notably Isaac Hayes, Gloria Gaynor, Cyndi Lauper and Gabrielle... and The Stranglers.

I wonder how many downloads this recording will get! Not many I am sure, but pause for a second. Whilst music from the Bacharach/David stable may not be entirely aligned with your musical taste (I am with you on this!), take a look at the track listing. There is no doubt about it after scanning that set list that B/D as a song writing team were second to none.

MP3: https://we.tl/t-Oo9NtXZp9zpqyn8v

Artwork: https://we.tl/t-Z4FqkEqhkEjeqaA3