The Stranglers - Walk On By

[rrreinhard]

hmm, should it be that and only alternative -one old pair against one drug addicted?

[wrichik]

10p ... we meet again ....

[SollyMotherF]

is that george melly?

[akhilasraya]

@SollyMotherF yeah,think so.He presented a documentary for them as well.Must have been a fan.

[butch824]

i love the tape saturation from the VHS itself

[rillloudmother]

@butch824 yeah, it's squashed flat, hehe. 

[butch824]

fuck yes!



[Amberol]

yeah... he's amazing... they are amazing... have been for years... but the idiots still like plastic pop!

[hoibsh]

I'd love to hijack the MTV Video Awards and play this on a giant screen onstage. Show all the wiggas and niggas what real music is about.

[FrostieDragon]

@hoibsh ill back you up on that man itll hopefully destroy the crap thats being spoon fed to people now @.@

[hoibsh]

@FrostieDragon Actually what I wanna do is go to the MTV Music Awards with a giant inflatable middle finger aimed at the stage.

[FrostieDragon]

@hoibsh ill still back you up on that XD

[5Willoughby]

The Prince of Tufnell Park

absolutely sublime.

[allahart]

Fan bloody fantastic!

[59jimmyb]

fucking brilliant..was teen when this came out ..you had to be there to understand how good it was to all the other crap that was being played at the time..

[alanjoconnor]

why have so many people viewed this with such crap sound quality

u don't like good music? -.-

[SirBanuTheFourth]

@alanjoconnor What, shit quality means shit music now, does it?

[alan82wot]

@SirBanuTheFourth only if u have the logical powers of a spade.

your argument tries to take advantage of equivocation in the use of the word "music"

u try to imply that i am saying that: because this example of the music is bad, that infers the original composition is bad.

fail brain is fail

[SirBanuTheFourth]

@alan82wot Uhh... What?

[good0179]

If you're going to remake a song, then really remake it!!!

[MrMegacrab]

..stop harping on about the sound quality...enjoy it for what it is!..a bloody great cover!....like someone said..'it replicates the sound of the tapes with which we used to listen to bands back in the day'..& as for JJ Burnel..he's never been underated...folks who play music & understand music know he is Pure Genius!!...& around the globe!....

[dvargashell]

too bad the sound is inferior

[MrCheeseboy55]

Saw this band SO many times live - incomparable band. Huge part of my teens and brilliant memories.

[youpumpertube]

Fantastic Band. Wish I was around to see them live at their prime!

[brynmill]

great song, shame about the poor sound :(

[kiaranbrown]

@brynmill It replicates the tape quality I used to listen to it on when in my last year at school. Poor sound quailty gives it that authentic sound, excellent.

[looey24]

Meaty song.

[aquamarine094]

Brilliant version of one of the all time great songs.

[Ridirkulous89]

great song, it's just me or the video bears resemblance to the film "Blow up" by Antonioni?

[burgesmate]

The great jazz musician and surrealist George Melly (who features in the video) would never lend himself to anything that was not top drawer; persto et praesto; God Bless the Stranglers

[Boomo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0]

worst sound quality ever

[FP51DPO]

@Boomo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0 there is a version on here somewhere by 'sneaky uploader', it has been cleaned and polished up and sounds great

[TanitHGhosT141]

@FP51DPO wow you've put a lot of comments for this video :) i'm guessing you love the stranglers as much as my dad xD (it's a good thing lol)

[shlabotnikj]

this song has been covered a lot and to everyones creditnone of them sound the same

[daydreams4rock]

ok SO WHO AM i and who are you -- i saw stranglers in 79 at narrabeen antler when 17 or mAYBE the year before you went to beach that day and wrote peaches from our girls inspirations -- i a m now daydreams4rock and have written a killer song UNOBTAINIUM like in AVATAR and am so bad at singing palying and soso old that i have to ask do you have like a nephew or student or whatever roadie could sing this better -- it going to sell millions aS lucky theme- i am composing with 6 months guitar lesson

[RodCow]

"Just going for a cheese in the breeze"

[WUNDERFRAU2020]

well! 

[Auntkekebaby]

They pulled this one off, Doors style!

[johnnyvicious2]

The old codger himself

[VenusVega]

I forgot this awesomeness.....

[jds14]

Dogs....

[olivejohn]

best version of this song ever! hah

[mollysangelique]

je,wilt,goodbay,als,je,my,als,­een,last,ervaart,geen,liefde,h­ebt,voor,my,of,vriendshap,zeg,­het,maar

[mollysangelique]

je,wilt,goodbay,

[KookyIslander]

Awesome growly bass, snarly vocals & fuckyou attitude ...version perversion to the max !!

[dikthrust]

Yep, THE greatest cover version ever To take an already classic song and make it your own is a sign of pure genius...I will never tiring of hearing this...

[markyboythewolf]

So what do you rapper wankers make of early videos then eh?

Awesome or what????

Now go drown yourself in a bucket!!

[WorldSutra]

Best ever (bad recording though)

[pinje]

This cover is awesome. Only just till today after 22 years of living did I know this was a cover. Personally FUCK THE HATERS. Don't comment if you don't fucking like it.

[Sheerantheman]

ewwww if not for the cool keyboard solo, this would be utter shit

[1bridlington]

Rubish.

[MrModpunk]

Maryon Park where Antonioni shot Blow Up 10 years previous.

[Froggtherigger]

@lcmtvbreath4

You can stop breathing now////

[FP51DPO]

@lcmtvbreath4 How can you say he is out of tune, you have no clue... Strange how the writer rated this as one of the best versions he had heard and was voted 6th greatest cover by the BBC. Can't you hear the build up to the crescendo with the whirling keys, tear your face off bass.... obviously not. Your opinion and you are entitled to it I guess...lol

This was right for the era and has aged well...very well!

[FP51DPO]

@lcmtvbreath4 Oh dear they have hidden your original comment as it has 'too many negative votes' That's strange you comment here has received more 'thumbs down's' than you have received hits for your own stuff...

[Swordman401]

greenfield that sound just like Ray Manzarek of the doors

[FP51DPO]

@Swordman401 I disagree.. Dave sounds better than Manzarek or Manzarek sounds like Dave...

[LondonJohn129]

This is their Light My Fire

[mrbassman25]

JJ Burnel ... most UNDER-Rated bass player EVER. this song is a great showcase for his hectic little runs.... he cant be copied.... hell knows ive tried .... totally unique sound and style. A god among musicians !! Stranglers rock !!!!!!!!

Down in the sewer my favorite song of all time !!.... just for the musicianship !!

[ana4t]

@mrbassman25 stranglers´bass is unique, the troggs´s also amazing !

[FP51DPO]

@mrbassman25 Genetix is the best, Clasical bass at it;s finest...

[feline1973]

@mrbassman25 eh? How can be "underrated", everyone hails him as a genius! :-) Anyways he sounded shit for most of the 80s when Martin Rushent stopped producing them.

[mrbassman25]

@feline1973

he is under-rated outside of his genre ! Obviously..... and sure he is highly rated in the BRITISH 70's/80's Punk scene, but thats still a minimal audience and appriciation now isnt it.

get it up ye ! ;)

[feline1973]

@mrbassman25 well I woulda thought that any mention of British pop music over the last 60 years would tend to include JJ Burnel in its list of great bass players....... can't speak for outside Britain though.

[joshcboy]

Can one help me please. theres a song thisband plays and my dad used to play it when i was a kid. iits got like a circus theme to it thats all i cansay about the song... plaese help:)

[LeeRatbag]

@joshcboy: It might be Waltzinblack you're thinking of...

[47preacher]

@joshcboy Gospel according to the meninblack album. Song Waltzinblack

[APyleOfVinyl]

@joshcboy Waltz In Black from the Men In Black (1981) album?

[FP51DPO]

@joshcboy waltz in black

[wnesbitt1]

Fave cover of this. They really own this.

[redmanthinks]

One of my fave covers ever. Brilliant song brilliant version.

[missbimble85]

brilliant :) the dude in the white jacket's Lew Lewis, he was asked to do this video for them after recordin old codger wiv them which i think was the b-side to this or it might av been a double a-side.

neways, great stuff!!!!!

[walesfan1]

My fav cover by far. Never seen this vid before. Thanks for posting a classic.

[lisaleather]

george melly no doubt. what fun.

[JoyDivisionSouth]

the 29 dislikers are wankers

[Szczotkov]

Great cover,be sure to check out Carl Tjader's version too.

[m00tube]

nice, and thanks.

[Wayzgoosey]

I'm sure this is an edit too! i've got the single and it comes in at 8 minutes plus! great stuff

[vsnikolai3]

I adore Dionne Warwick and also like this Stranglers cover of "Walk On By" . they do good

[MrGoonerforlife]

JJ burnell the best punk base player EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[MrCheeseboy55]

Brilliant!

[JohnnyTrotz]

indeed very nice cover, hehe

[oliverking90001]

Can you see the giant crab in the distance at the end

[dadoo1617]

t'a pas plus pourri encore comme qualité ?

franchement je veux bien que c youtube on a pas tous du matériel de pro pour faire les vidéo mais il y a des limite quoi !!!

[diskochimp]

GEORGE MELLY!!!!

[bostonirishpunk]

friggin great - never heard this before and always thought this song would make a great punk-cover fucking mtv never showed shit

[sillavnitram]

why is the sound so awful?

[billyb4223]

@sillavnitram knicked from a tv i think

[kevinbreen]

Classic. Brilliant. This goes to 11.

[CombatRocks]

Just found out that this was directed by Hugh!

[antianduncool1]

FOR SALE ON EBAY NOW. Stranglers John Ellis 1973 Custom Fender Strat Guitar Used by John Ellis on Stranglers, Vibrators, Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill & JJ Burnel Recordings & Live [inc. the JJ Burnel "Freddie Laker" Video 1979] 10 day auction ends 18th April 2010 Starting bid £1,750 buy-it-now £2,000. Comes with a C.O.A. Signed by the previous owner, a personal friend of John Ellis. Thanks for looking :)

[beccaLol0800]

hell this band were a force of nature - killer playing on all instruments - what a cover!

[lovesGenet]

Wht da hell u talking about.BLOW UP Anotnioni film about how film or a photograph can show the truth prolly from a quote by Godard.truth 24 frames a sec .Notion that film shows wht is there that we don't always see.Photo in hilm by photographer has info about a murder and Hemmings gets pulled into riddle w/ Redgrave playing a model(irony being she ain't wht she seems )

[PoireauMan68]

It's possibly shot exactly where BLOWN OFF the excellent italo-anglish movie by Antonioniwas shot. Vanessa Redgrave runs for cover as her fiance has just murdered her lover who normally assault young boys on their way back from school. He also Gay Tory Politician and David Hemmings turned chief of police catch Redgrave doing polaroids of giant triffids in this south London wood. er...I been smoking not I am actually on top form after quick sojourn in Barmy Unit SE24

[amfemaybole]

Let s go for a stroll in the trees ....white Vinyl Awesome track

[PAULLONDEN]

Deep...George Melly ,a Furry Tina Turner clone,a dude clutching a crack pipe,5 cardboard cutout Stranglers........& a lousy cover that was rightly left off B & W.

[Ambidextrouskater]

@PAULLONDEN fuck you

[PAULLONDEN]

-Ambi- do onto others......as you would like them do to you.

[PoireauMan68]

I think Ambi zright PALELENDON FUCK RIGHT OFF go make your own videos with your mates (and subsequently post them on yourtube so we can larf ahah)

[ferrarottiano]

watch 2 videos called stranglershughcornwel

[ferrarottiano]

let s watch my hugh's video on my channel

[Zeppelinguy666]

i'm seeing them live in march!

[aries9456]

Me Too - Cambridge Corn Exchange !

[Hwral]

Wow, this is one of the most obscure Stranglers videos I have ever seen. That lady (not Dionne Warwick, is she?) is knocking down the cardboard figures of Hugh and Jet at 4:32! That's rude!

[footlappen]

Did´nt George Melly sing with the Stranglers on "old Codger"?

[lolabeaz]

Yep

[MatraMark]

He did - Hugh wrote the lyrics for Old Codger with George in mind.

[ringlandboy]

I seem to remember George Melly doing a program about punk music, and I think that this came from that, he said the stranglers were his favourite band - probably one of his better utterings.

[Zeppelinguy666]

i saw that too!.... he said they were a modern version of something.. i can't remember... and they wrote old codger about him

[neonwind]

Thanks for uploading this this I never knew they made a video for this song. George Mellie in this too!

[Bongofury361]

Excellent rendition...just wish the audio and video were better...

[Harrylechat01]

As Monty Python once said: "How about a sudden ending?"

[MatraMark]

Now stop that! Thats silly..........

[EmotionPlus]

One of the best instrumental inserts in my own opinion, followed by the incredible next vocal, walk on by, by Hugh.

[expertgmr26]

Isaac Hayes made the best version in my opinion. Its a breakup song, its supposed to be sad. You cant have a jazzy tune to a sad song lol, and thats what Isaac embodies in his version i think.

[kezzer2]

Dionne Warwick...? Not bad methinks..........

[nigelwright7557]

The Stranglers are a rock band and so do a fantastic rock version.

[wimvanlaeree]

Ik heb ze ooit eens op Krammerock in Stekene gezien, schitterend

[sofaguard]

god they are good band. gees...

[gingersean]

best version of walk on by ever

[terrythekittie]

Don't agree...I love the Stranglers big time but Dionne Warwick's original is the one..having said that there are few artists who cover songs well..the Beatles could, Hendrix could and the Stranglers gave all here and came out with the second best version ever.

[delboysyard]

Absolutely fantastic!

[jcp7777]

Is that george melly?

[Tancred66]

I'd say it's definitely George - the old dog.

[schwinglow]

and Lew Lewis, did Old Codger on the b-side

[FP51DPO]

George Melly sang and lew was on harmonica...

[gervallio]

what a spinout clip to such a great song

everyones at the top of their game

[RedUnion]

Superior cover version, pure quality!

[MoveOverCasanova]

the keyboard solo blending into the guitar is really floating. it reminds me of light my fire, only that it rock much more

[Stonecosy]

Cheeeesy - but OK for a bunch of ooomphs from a Guildford shit-hole.

[Mrung0wa]

This is one of the best covers I have ever heard. This includes Hendrix's cover of Dylan's: All Along The Watchtower and CCR's cover of Heard it Through The Grapevine.

[flanneryged]

How right you are,I first heard this in 1979

as it came with as a free EP on the Black

and White Album.This was when I noticed

just how very good the Stranglers were going to be.Previous to this they were known more for the Violence which surrounded the Band,however this and their subsequent Albums sent them in a

new better direction.

[henrybradshaw]

Agreed..super version!!!

[daven58100]

I think the sound quality goes well with the picture quality

[Shersequest]

I love this, but I also love the Seal cover of it. ;P

[kayrosx1]

Brilliant, JJs bass sound made it so better than original..Love it and loved them in those good ol days!!

[katherinejones1990]

dude whats with the soun?

[bartrumtantrum]

I Kno..

[killthePARADE]

I love Ashanti's version of Walk On By : )

(American Dreams)

Sadly, i can't find it anywhere.

Anybody knows where to find it/have it?

If you do, kindly reply/drop me a msg : )

[qwargy]

I was 17 when first heard this song - was transfixed with sound of JJ Burnel's aggressive fender bass playing

[lasker341]

Listen closely.

This is as much a cover of "walk on by" as "light my fire" of the doors. It is a beautiful reversal of guitar and organ of "light my fire"

[iwasanangryyoungman]

One of the most abused covers ever gets a rightful if not righteous re-do from Hugh Cornwell & co.

[italchick2]

Like this. If you've got the 45 playing at 33 it's worth a shitload of money now. I had it and my dad sent it to a charity shop!

[Blasto2x]

this version has NOTHING on Isaac Hayes' version. simply NOTHING.

[Tineafa]

Undoubtedly it has tempo and forcefulness that Isaac's didn't have, which is good if you're into punk. If you're into soul as I believe you are, then of course this isn't going to hold a candle to that version, in your eyes :P

[Blasto2x]

No. I like all types of music, I am speaking from a non biased pov. I don't have a preference to soul vs punk, but i think musicality and storytelling wise isaac's version is superior. simple as that.

[Heugor]

Written by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David. Together with Mrs Warwicks, one of the best versions.

[montagnard09]

Just the greatest version of this song

[Sexpistols100]

shit fags sold out!!

[almklit]

I think I know what your driving at, the Stranglers before they signed to united artist's where one seriously hardcore punk band gigging up and down the country in 1976 and were a full on experience with a total anarchic sound and attitude. They were'nt bandwaggonning as they already were a legitimate PUNK band as anyone who was there at the early gigs can attest but they did sell out to commercialism eventually with the new wave but this fact get's misplaced as riding on Punk.

[amclpreston]

Yep, a cover. Of the song by Dionne Warwick about 1967

[man2hot4yall]

They stole dis from Isaac Hayes

Walk On By

[Whydoesthissitesuck]

It's called a cover, they didn't steal anything

[gervallio]

"Get Changin' Hugh ....." Guitar solo's awesome but how's the rhythm guitar low in the mix while Dave is soloing . Now thats GENIUS - attitude and ability. have a listen.Hugh's the best.

I chatted with him after a small solo gig in sydney 2 years ago. Personable and obliging - what a legend.

[BadDad1950]

The park looks like the same one used in Blowup with David Hemmings doing the snapping. Anyone agree?

[dcasey77]

It's Maryon Park in Charlton that was used in Blow Up.

What a dreadful version of the song.

[brbrbr1]

The story in the clip is certainly inspired by it. The park also seems the same to me.

[eoinjmcgrath]

I used to play pool all the time in a bar in Manhattan and get assholed drunk and put on this song, the full version, on the juke box. It's still one of those perfect combination memories. I still play pool in bars, I quit drinking and I found this on YouTube. 2/3 aint bad. I love this version so much, I cover this song with my own band. Our version is about 2 mins long though. ha.

[fpittion]

I love this soooooooo much-it has everything a perfect song needs-Is there a better quality vid of this? I bought the Irish 7" on UA, it didnt have the keyboard solo only the guitar bit (even though the label said 33 it was a 45rmp disc, bit of a collectors item now!) So imagine my surprise when I heard the full length version when I got the free white ep with Black and white! Pure magic

[fpittion]

Oh yeah I presume that's the woman on the pic sleeve replacing Hugh's head with Melly in the vid-is there a vid of old codger around?

[barneytravers]

My preferred version.

Fulham for the cup

[GreenThylacine]

Greatest keyboard parts EVER!!!

[tgwtrh]

I just wanna cry..y...y..

My favourite ever cover version of a song.... the most perfect heartbreaker love song and the best guitar solo I've ever heard - they don't make men like Hugh Cornwell any more...

[hideawaycottage]

best band in the world, bar none, ever, I feel sorry for the schmucks who like bands like U2 and the Stones, bands for vanilla bum benders, thank christ for the Stranglers, a real band for real people ......

[bobbydj01]

I'd say it's most likely to be a Precision. I read that the sound was created by a ripped speaker in a 4x12 marshall cab - although whether the band had replaced that by 1978 I don't know.

[PepinoMichoacan]

Is it played on a rickenbacker bass?

[whouster]

No, it's a fender precision, which is what JJ Burnel used for all the early stuff.

[Asradi]

reminds me of the doors, but i like it.

[ian916fun]

agree with you, Dave Greenfield's playing; the way he lets it just go off for a walk on its own direction reminds me of Ray Manzarek