The song is one of a number Brown wrote about Renée Fladen-Kamm, then-girlfriend of The Left Banke's bassist Tom Finn and object of Brown's affection. She was associated with the band for a few weeks, and described as a free-spirited and quite tall blonde. Other songs written about her include the band's second hit "Pretty Ballerina" and "She May Call You Up Tonight". After decades of obscurity, she was identified in 2001 as a noted singer, vocal teacher and artist on the West Coast.-Wikipedia
Tony Sansome says he got some of his inspiration from a Bronx street ONE WAY sign ("the sign that points one way”) when a street he grew up in changed overnight from two-way to one-way street and changed his world("still finds a way to haunt me"), and a nearby handball court (“lot we used to pass by”) where he inscribed his initials within a heart “upon a wall” that remained there for 20 years. lol
Contrary to the myth, Mike Brown never wrote this music because he was lovesick for Renee. He helped compose the haunting melody but Anthony Sansome penned the lyrics at age 26 and came up with the name Renee because he wanted to have a French name akin to the Beatles’ Michelle, and claims Mike went with the flow. Besides, he never even met Renee Fladen.
Bassist Tom Finn insists Renee (Renee Fladen-kamm) was never his nor any other band member’s girlfriend. She was a tall, pretty blonde who everyone liked, hung around with the band for a while and eventually went her merry way to become a noted vocalist, vocal instructor, and artist.
Renee was the girlfriend of Tom Finn, the group's bassist, but Michael Brown, who wrote the song, was infatuated with her. Wikipedia article on the song quotes Brown: "I was just sort of mythologically in love, if you know what I mean, without having evidence in fact or in deed...But I was as close as anybody could be to the real thing".
Renee was in the studio when they started to record the song. Brown's hands were shaking so badly he had to return later to do the song.
Ah, one of my favorite songs from my childhood! Very touching! And this is the best audio quality and best video version I've seen on the net! Thank you! And, What man hasn't know at least one... 'Renee'? :)
Ah, one of my favorite songs from my childhood! Very touching! And this is the best audio quality and best video version I've seen on the net! Thank you!
Thank you. I first heard this song in 1968 as a US Army soldier in Vietnam on AFVN (Armed Forces Radio Vietnam). I cried. I don't know why it so deeply touched me then as it does today. It is absolutely beautiful. Thank you very much.
Being born in 1963, this song has both soothed and haunted me for many years. The raw vulnerability of love is expressed well in the voices and lyrics. The sophisticated instrumentals along with the expressive lyrics, I believe, is very Moody Blues-esque. Love's painful depths expressed in the song, The Actor, is the first Moody Blues one that come to mind.
The Song w/ Its Orchestration /Strings ,Harpsichord and Flute Melody ;were at The Time daring and Innovative for a Pop Group, w/Talent. Thought it did Hit # 1 in 66'. It was a Huge player on Radio stations everywhere..Producers Credit .Peace
This song has stood the test of time..partly because of their classically- inspired styling...STILL played to this day and SUCH a great song in 1966 when it it the airwaves.... It has this ' mystery' to it that I think keeps it so well-liked and still played.
I still don't know what made this song so special but it's touched so many hearts... one young friend said he saw it a epitomising the Sixties when a unique song with such sincerity could come from apparently nowhere. He particularly liked the last line, "You're not to blame."
Great visuals to go with the excellent audio! The melancholy of changing loves and relationships really comes through in the Left Banke's version of this song...
Thanks, again, for posting this great song, Ron!! It's one of my favorites! :-)) Cheri/CCF/:-))
ChrisCurtisFan 1 month ago
@ChrisCurtisFan - you're welcome Cheri !
rwells47 1 month ago
The song is one of a number Brown wrote about Renée Fladen-Kamm, then-girlfriend of The Left Banke's bassist Tom Finn and object of Brown's affection. She was associated with the band for a few weeks, and described as a free-spirited and quite tall blonde. Other songs written about her include the band's second hit "Pretty Ballerina" and "She May Call You Up Tonight". After decades of obscurity, she was identified in 2001 as a noted singer, vocal teacher and artist on the West Coast.-Wikipedia
clintonearlwalker 2 months ago
Oh Yeah!
michaelacwron 2 months ago
Heard this my Jr year (1966) join the Marines in 1968, still brings back happy memories.
1950miker 3 months ago
This has the best sound quality. Thanks for sharing!
nanaslbkp 3 months ago
@nanaslbkp- you are very welcome!
rwells47 3 months ago
Thanks for great memories of teen yrs,!!!
oceanwalk53 3 months ago
@oceanwalk53- you're welcome!
rwells47 3 months ago
@oceanwalk53 me too, thanking u, & yes, from my teen years too..
magdaszabo 3 weeks ago
Comment removed
mhatton50 3 months ago
Whatever the real story is, this is a still a great freakin' song!!!
ann2kin 3 months ago
Tony Sansome says he got some of his inspiration from a Bronx street ONE WAY sign ("the sign that points one way”) when a street he grew up in changed overnight from two-way to one-way street and changed his world("still finds a way to haunt me"), and a nearby handball court (“lot we used to pass by”) where he inscribed his initials within a heart “upon a wall” that remained there for 20 years. lol
ann2kin 3 months ago
Contrary to the myth, Mike Brown never wrote this music because he was lovesick for Renee. He helped compose the haunting melody but Anthony Sansome penned the lyrics at age 26 and came up with the name Renee because he wanted to have a French name akin to the Beatles’ Michelle, and claims Mike went with the flow. Besides, he never even met Renee Fladen.
ann2kin 3 months ago
Bassist Tom Finn insists Renee (Renee Fladen-kamm) was never his nor any other band member’s girlfriend. She was a tall, pretty blonde who everyone liked, hung around with the band for a while and eventually went her merry way to become a noted vocalist, vocal instructor, and artist.
ann2kin 3 months ago
Renee was the girlfriend of Tom Finn, the group's bassist, but Michael Brown, who wrote the song, was infatuated with her. Wikipedia article on the song quotes Brown: "I was just sort of mythologically in love, if you know what I mean, without having evidence in fact or in deed...But I was as close as anybody could be to the real thing".
Renee was in the studio when they started to record the song. Brown's hands were shaking so badly he had to return later to do the song.
Poor guy. I get it.
foucle 3 months ago
Ah, one of my favorite songs from my childhood! Very touching! And this is the best audio quality and best video version I've seen on the net! Thank you! And, What man hasn't know at least one... 'Renee'? :)
Iknewb4udid 4 months ago
@Iknewb4udid- you're very welcome! Thank you for the kind words- I'm glad you like the video! Ron
rwells47 4 months ago
Ah, one of my favorite songs from my childhood! Very touching! And this is the best audio quality and best video version I've seen on the net! Thank you!
Iknewb4udid 4 months ago
One of the greatest pop songs ever written and recorded. This is the original and by far the greatest version.
nilsmontan60 4 months ago
Love this song!! Thanks for posting!!
seventiesweregreat 4 months ago
Thank you. I first heard this song in 1968 as a US Army soldier in Vietnam on AFVN (Armed Forces Radio Vietnam). I cried. I don't know why it so deeply touched me then as it does today. It is absolutely beautiful. Thank you very much.
LasVegasJim 5 months ago 22
@LasVegasJim- you are very welcome! I'm glad you like the video! God Bless you, Ron
rwells47 5 months ago
I can name that tune in one note I call it timeless 1111
mj35063 6 months ago in playlist 60 S
Being born in 1963, this song has both soothed and haunted me for many years. The raw vulnerability of love is expressed well in the voices and lyrics. The sophisticated instrumentals along with the expressive lyrics, I believe, is very Moody Blues-esque. Love's painful depths expressed in the song, The Actor, is the first Moody Blues one that come to mind.
MsDanielsrose 6 months ago
An all-time favorite of mine for many decades. What a classic... genius. And to think it was composed by a 16-year old! Amazing.
chisaoboy 6 months ago
love it, thnx, ron.
kc
LadieBug357 8 months ago
@LadieBug357- you're welcome KC !
rwells47 8 months ago
Classic.
What memories.
George Vreeland Hill
GeorgeVreelandHill 9 months ago
I had the impression they were a British Band, had no idea they were a NY band! I love trivia thanks.
GrannyTenderstone 10 months ago 2
@GrannyTenderstone myself, I did not know that.
harrasin 5 months ago
@harrasin :)
GrannyTenderstone 4 months ago
The Song w/ Its Orchestration /Strings ,Harpsichord and Flute Melody ;were at The Time daring and Innovative for a Pop Group, w/Talent. Thought it did Hit # 1 in 66'. It was a Huge player on Radio stations everywhere..Producers Credit .Peace
DYNODRUM 10 months ago 2
This song has stood the test of time..partly because of their classically- inspired styling...STILL played to this day and SUCH a great song in 1966 when it it the airwaves.... It has this ' mystery' to it that I think keeps it so well-liked and still played.
seasideshelby1 1 year ago 4
I still don't know what made this song so special but it's touched so many hearts... one young friend said he saw it a epitomising the Sixties when a unique song with such sincerity could come from apparently nowhere. He particularly liked the last line, "You're not to blame."
rosslavel 1 year ago 12
thanks for sharing ron. i have been quite amazed several times at how much i love many of the songs you've uploaded. keep doin' it :)
MrBuckwilliam 1 year ago
@MrBuckwilliam- you are welcome Buck! I will keep doin' it! Ron
rwells47 1 year ago
Great visuals to go with the excellent audio! The melancholy of changing loves and relationships really comes through in the Left Banke's version of this song...
FriendshipSeven 1 year ago
@FriendshipSeven- thanks for dropping by! God Bless, Ron
rwells47 1 year ago
What a great classic from the great year of 1966. It kind of reminds me of someone like Oscar-winner Renee Zellweger. Cool oldie.
yogafan6500 1 year ago 2
memories of lost loves
sitirasewell 2 years ago
Yeah, this is my favorite kind of music.
YouWastesTube 2 years ago 2
I really love this song Ron and THE LEFT BANK definately do it justice - Great Stuff !!! - Thank You !!!
carrieanne1967 2 years ago 2