Does anyone remember another version or mix of this song, in which the instrumental break features an electric guitar played through some kind of echo chamber rather than a flute? I heard it in the UK, may or may not have been by Left Banke, definitely not the 4 tops version.
@commanderfairfax Now that is IMPRESSIVE, commander! You're knowledge is superior to mine there! Have you heard the Truth's version of "I go to sleep", written for them by Ray Davies? It's beautiful, and interesting to compare with the Pretenders version in a later period.
Thanks for finding it. I am now able to explain why the Left Banke version of the chorus is more appealing than the 4 tops or the Truth, it's because they maintain the lower 5th harmony throughout the chord change to the con't
@jiver222 relative minor. One of the 4 tops MAY be singing it, but it doesn't come through so well. I do prefer the Truth's version of the instrumental break, though.
my grand daughter is nine yrs old and listens to all my old music and loves the music from this era the most, it is so nice she does because the music they play now days is not music.
@exgroupiefromelmont1 Michael Brown, the founder and guiding force behind the Left Banke, wrote for, played keyboards in, and produced Stories, but he left the band before they hit with "Brother Louie" and "Mammy Blue" (one of my favorites). Basically, he played on their first two albums, including their first hit "I'm Coming Home."
Because of hearing problems and being unable to be myself in that time and place, I did not understand most of the lyrics when this was released. Even so, the song had a beauty and emotion that transcended that and I loved it then. Now, after hearing the lyrics clearly in "Joyful Noise", I can understand it and find it more meaningful than ever. Thanks for posting it and giving others who were touched by it a place to share with everyone.
@notvalidcharacters "Awful"? I'm pretty sure every Left Banke fan would disagree with you. Steve Martin's vocals perfectly complement the Baroque style of music the band were playing. I could listen to this guy's voice all day long. This, along with "Pretty Ballerina," are two of the best, most melodic songs of the rock era.
Read the extraordinary prophecies of Linda Newkirk
The Great Tribulation will soon begin with the Obama Assassination, The Two Witnesses, False Rapture/Alien Invasion, Revelation 12, New Madrid To Split USA in half.
Very profound warnings from Jesus at Prophecies Org
@Hismailservice Also, George Carlin will return from the dead and kick the asses of all the trolls and rabid christian fundamentalist fascist nazis. You are the false witness the bible warned us about!
Have sorry,sad, feeling with this Vietnam period, My employees that went there could function, my friends that went there could not function. Some served cause they wanted to, some didn't. I supported all that served, but not the war, the higher ups didn't do thier job right, example, spraying agent orange on them, messed up thier brains.
I realize that no one is going to care about my age, but I'm 23, and I grew up listening to an oldies radio station that played this kind of music as well as some classic rock, and this song takes me way way back. I used to listen to the radio (and that particular station) while doing homework, and this song was one of the most-requested, and for good reason. Awesome song, and thanks for posting.
I think this song fills us 60's people with a longing then and now. For dreams that we wished for then and for the ones we lost now. Hearing this and being in Vietnam would make it even more of a soul touching longing.....
@FarnhazenBrep You said it, friend, I find the melody as well as the words has a way of creeping into your brain and creating a color show of past moments in time. Some we want to relive and some we want to walk away.......
for those who already like a few songs by the Left Banke i think that ... Kaleidoscope (UK) 3 songs ..."Love song for Annie" , "If you so wish" , "Black Fjord" ...all recorded in 1968 will potentially interess those who search other great sounds of that era...its not that disimilar to the Left Banke style
I was in Jr. High when this song was popular. It's true, the haunting melody reminds me too of Vietnam, where 3 boys from my small town were killed; One was my best friend's older brother. I had a lady (who never married) say to me not long ago..."My husband was killed in that war..I never knew him, but I know the boy for me was killed over there". Really sad.
My nickname has always been Renee, growing up I always strained to hear what the hell they were saying about what was in the heart upon the wall, lol! I've taken the advice many times and haven't had my hard completely broken yet by this world, gotta know when to fold (hey, another great song!).
At 59 years old now, this was one of the songs that really sticks in my conscience now from those early, self-conscience teenage years when you were trying to figure out who you really were, and thinking about a lovely romance of the future.
This song reminds me off that time in the 60s as a kid growing up with no worries.. hot summers, my dad taking us to the raceway on sundays...its something when in your life october goes and you look back at your life.. treasure the time..
Happened to play this while my 15 year old daughter and her friends were downstairs... the al ran upstairs and wanted to know who was doing the great song. My daughter and her friends are awesome.
First time I heard this song I thought the Four Tops original recorded it and when I learned of the original group Left Banke were the original version. My mind went back to the 60's to remember even though I was a child of the 60's I now remember the original version. What a unusual time to live in the 60's.
THIS SONG WILL ALWAYS REMIND ME OF A GERMAN WOMAN WHO MARRIED MY BEST FRIEND BEFORE HE WENT TO VIET NAM .SHE DIED LATER OF CANCER ...RENE WAS HER NAME
Welcome home. It is fascinating to me that this was such a unique song for so many of us, and that it has stayed in our emotional memories for some 40+ years! I posted the following two months ago on another youtube site for this same song: “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.” Best wishes.
@LasVegasJim ...so true what you said about this song being so unique in its ability to linger in our emotional memories...it was and is deeply touching and emotionally evocative...i tear up too when i hear it and very few songs do that to me...
@LasVegasJim It's because we lost our youth.I was spit on in Chicago and called a baby killer when the only thing I wanted was to see my family and forget the horrors we saw. No one that wasn't there will ever know what we went through. I still cry after 43 yrs with what I lost and a nation that treated us as criminals instead of Patriots. God bless you and all our brothers that served.
@rickyt43515 I hear ya!... My hubby went to Vietnam a year after this beautiful song was on the charts. He was just a young Man serving his country, and when we were married just a couple of years after he was out of the Navy, I remember him not putting on a job application he was a Vietnam vet, because of the fear of not being hired. A Cousin of his died over there, at 19 years old. He didn't die for nothing. God Bless each and everyone of you, who served our Country.
@rickyt43515 Welcome home. I was born and raised in Melrose Park, and I was a Good Humor Man in Chicago before I enlisted in 1965. My last Army assignment after RVN was in CA until 1969, and I never moved back to Chicago. Those experiences definitely changed our lives. My first cousin was a combat medic 101st Airborne in ’68, and he died from Agent Orange in 2000. I salute you and share your thoughts: “God bless you and all our brothers that served.” Best wishes.
@LasVegasJim Sorry about your cousin Jim. Some times it's hard to let go of the feelings we have and the things we went through. Thank you brother for your service and never regret your service or what you went through. Your a Hero and deserve this country's thanks. Though the times and values of this country may change we who endured and gave our best have only our honor of our service to comfort us and know we did the best we could do. God bless the USA.
@LasVegasJim glad you made it bro--it is payback time I don't mean weed smokin hippies but the crooks who sent brave men like you out as if you were just dirt, My Dad spent his life taking care of vets no i want the ones who paid there way out!!
(It is a hell of a song) I think i know why it spoke so deeply to you but it is not my call -peace
This was a kinder gentler time even midst the Vietnam war that many of us young men were drawn into and being 20 and ten thousand miles from home not knowing if you would return or if your girl would wait. 59,916 young boys mostly drafted died there never to see their girlfriends, wives or children ever again.
To all of the Vietnam vets, God bless you. I can't even begin to understand what you've been through. I've loved this song since I was a kid. I hope there is still music that comforts today's soldiers in horrific conditions. And ricky143515, she would not have been the right choice for you. I hope you've regained happiness. America owes you all so much admiration.
@MsElliott04 Thank you for the kind words. She was 17 and I was 19. She was in her senior year of HS and I wanted her to date. I knew the life expectency for a Combat medic was 4 days. When I made it home she wanted to leave him and be with me.But I was too proud. But I wish I had. She was and is the love of my life. We still talk to this day. Her husband was a friend of mine and he's made her happy. So I can't ask for more than that.
Wow does this bring back memories. I was a combat medic with the 199th light Inf. in Vietnam and heard this on the AFN show East of midnight. Had just got a letter from the girl I was engaged to that she was getting married the next day. Pretty fitting I guess. Just hearing it brings back a few tears.
@rickyt43515 I was a freshman in high school when this song came out in 1966.I'm glad you made it back from Nam,I had a few friends that didn't.This song certainly does bring back alot of memories. USN Seabee (ret)
I can't sing my way out of a paper bag, so I have no room to talk. But If you listen closely, he doesn't have the greatest signing voice, but it is absolutely perfect for this song, sounding sad, haunting, sort of sorrowful .I'd love to see them perform. Are they around yet?
I've listened to almost every version of this by every artist I could find. There are no really "bad" versions of this, but the left banke's version is still by far the best. The song itself is really just a GOOD song. Even my teenagers like it, and all their other music sucks!
Another song that blends the violin and guitar very nicely. I've noticed that i tend to like songs with this combination. Classical gas, Kansas Dust in the Wind are other good examples.
I've read that the flute in The Beatles, "Hide Your Love Away" came about as a result of this song and The Mammas and the Pappas, "California Dreamin'"
Seems every good thing I ever experienced occurred in '65 '66 + 67. This song, so beautifully done, brings a tear to my eye, and a regret that those few years had to rush by so quickly. At age 62 now, I find my mind wandering back to those days when gas was cheap and cars were fast. The war finished off any youthful innocence we may have harbored, and replaced it with....something.
@17drumhead I read a book once. I believed it was called "Sad Movies" or perhaps it was a song that I'm remembering. Either way, it was about memories. "Sad Movies, They Always Make Me Cry" came from it. What is odd to me is that even though that period of time was such a great one, recalling them is such a melancholy thing. How quickly life goes by and changes. Enjoy your relative youth; it gets faster and faster. Peace...
@1968saigon //Funny that all of us Vets remember all the sixites music when we were 10,000 miles from home and lonely. I had a transistor radio sent from home and hooked it up with a PR25 radio battery and listed to it when I was on ambush or Listening Post (LP) was not a good idea but what the hell.
I dont recall the first time i heard this tune eithre. You are correct it LINGERS". saw vietnam at the end. it was a calm just befor ethe ultimate storm, when we finally pulled out for good. I have found , many,mny, of my musical memories, are found today in archived black and white footage. I am now making a collection of them, called "BLACK AND WHITE MEMORIES"
OMG!!! Why don't you just stick a knife in my heart? It'd have the same effect as this song. I haven't heard this in ages. Damn!!! Does this bring back memories, and not good ones. Thanks. Now I have to go put my heart back together again.
@aspenrebel I could not have said it better!!!.....I came on YouTube for something else and found myself searching for song from years past....I forgot about this song....and on the first beat, all the memories came flooding back....Amazing how music does that to you....
Brings back so many memories of being so young and such a happy time. I think this period of the 60's when this song was out, had some of the best music of all time. So many great groups, such a great time musically!
@jdsowa You're very close. I found this surprising snippet in Wiki: "Brian Wilson began to use orchestral arrangements, melodies and harmonies on The Beach Boys' 1965 albums Today! and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) with harpsichord and zither, among other [classical] instruments."
@jdsowa though I think it would be fair to call this the first bit of 'baroque pop', since the beach boys thing doesn't have that same feel. Unless, of course, you count george martin's sped up piano solo from 'in my life'-late '65.
@jdsowa But even with the harpsichord, The Beach Boys still sound like Sunshine Pop. The Left Banke top the list of Baroque n Roll/Bach Rock groups, in my book! ;D
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Beautiful song , but Linda Ronstadt 's acoustic version is so far the best I've heard . In the 60's , Sylvie Vartan did a wonderful version of "walk away Renee" in french ( Quand un amour renaît ).
@Jenmarkc It seems difficult to make a 'bad' version of this song. For me though, this version is so much more poignant than the others. This is also the version that I grew up with, which colours my perception. I do like the, very different version, by Terry Reid though. That is almost a different song, which is probably why it appeals.
@hawkmoon03111951 In France , The Left Bank were completely unknown : it was the Four tops that popularized the song and...Sylvie Vartan : in those days , all the big US hits were translated in french and became successful mainly in their cover versions.
@hawkmoon03111951 I liked the song way back when.......don't know why. Must have been young and naive..the only thing I remember is the refrain, can't make any sense of the lyrics, even after looking them up and reading them....great melody...should have left it as an intrumental.
@blueridgepics yes she did on an album called "adieu false heart" : it's pure and beautiful . I don 't think it's on youtube but you can listen to it on "DEEZER" or "Grooveshark" in streaming.
@Jenmarkc Personal preference is, of course, a matter of taste. As for me, this original version (by the Left Banke) is, was, and always be THE definitive version of the song and is so far the best I'VE heard.
Left Banke por supuesto. El compositor es Michael Brown, miembro del grupo, y la dedicó a Renee Fladen-Kamm, novia de otro miembro del grupo, el bajista Tomm Finn. La de Four Tops es uno más de las decenas de covers, ninguno tan bueno como el original.
@88mroux This is the original version. The Four Tops copied it. It has also been covered by Alice Cooper and Terry Reid. Very different versions to the original but, I think, they work well.
@hawkmoon03111951 I thought I had read that Left Banke wrote the song but the Four Tops were first to record it. Due to the success the Four Tops had, Left Banke made a recording and (as they say) the rest is history.
A very young Steven Tyler was involved with this session, but sang on the B Side of the single, not this classic track.
Oldnewbie50 10 hours ago
AWESOME COMBINATION OF EMOTION REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE AND MUSIC.......
swayzerpaulinus 2 days ago
Does anyone remember another version or mix of this song, in which the instrumental break features an electric guitar played through some kind of echo chamber rather than a flute? I heard it in the UK, may or may not have been by Left Banke, definitely not the 4 tops version.
jiver222 1 week ago
@jiver222 You're thinking of the version by The Truth.
youtube.com/watch?v=IdnEDT5Vxzo
commanderfairfax 6 days ago
@commanderfairfax Now that is IMPRESSIVE, commander! You're knowledge is superior to mine there! Have you heard the Truth's version of "I go to sleep", written for them by Ray Davies? It's beautiful, and interesting to compare with the Pretenders version in a later period.
Thanks for finding it. I am now able to explain why the Left Banke version of the chorus is more appealing than the 4 tops or the Truth, it's because they maintain the lower 5th harmony throughout the chord change to the con't
jiver222 6 days ago
@jiver222 relative minor. One of the 4 tops MAY be singing it, but it doesn't come through so well. I do prefer the Truth's version of the instrumental break, though.
jiver222 6 days ago
My name is rene!
TheDarkLadyX 1 week ago
IF KARNAC SON OF BYTHE BROUGHT YOU HERE (WHATEVER THAT MEANS ? ) CLICK IT OR TICKET ! ( WHATEVER THAT MEANS ) GOT IT ? YEAH I'LL BET YOU DO !
HEARTHEANGELSVOICES 1 week ago
....saw them once in Sydney NS (of all places) ...boy they were nothing like the recording!
OlymPigs2010 1 week ago
Like if you knew this song way before Joyful Noise was even made.
daniellekawaja1 2 weeks ago 5
@daniellekawaja1 i did but joyful noise just reminded me of it lmfao
MeLoveJuelzSantana 1 week ago
Classic and beautiful... thank you!
chillinparadise 2 weeks ago
I went crazy when this song came out. I was amazed that rock music could use strings so affectively.
bumperu 2 weeks ago
@bumperu -- So did The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)-- Jeff Lynne started the band up. Great work with strings too.
sweetgypsy100 2 weeks ago in playlist gypsy's choice
this a classic song. one of the best olides ever.
hobbs8940 3 weeks ago
my grand daughter is nine yrs old and listens to all my old music and loves the music from this era the most, it is so nice she does because the music they play now days is not music.
richtoga 3 weeks ago 3
fucking awesome song......thank you 88.5
miw20 4 weeks ago
reminds me of an old girlfriend from awhile back....Ren'ee K
GuemesBill1 1 month ago
what could be more beautiful than this song and the memories it brings?
MsMombie 1 month ago
good song from my memory
willieboy3222 1 month ago
It's actually spelled "Walk Away Renée"
TheBigMinorsOfficial 1 month ago
I heard it as " ...FROM DEEP INSIDE THE TEARS THAT,.. I WASHED HER BRA ..."
I totally related to that
DetroiterInAustralia 1 month ago
Comment removed
DetroiterInAustralia 1 month ago
" Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall".....40 year old memories...thank you Left Banke!
MyNancy52 1 month ago
@MyNancy52
"still finds a way to haunt me, so there so small" Lyrics that have stuck with me from the first time I heard Walk Away...back in the mid-sixties.
sselegnaify1 2 weeks ago
@sselegnaify1
I know, it's one of those songs that sticks with you forever. Especially that verse....
MyNancy52 2 weeks ago
Lovely, classic song. Thankes, Left Banke.
hoibsh 1 month ago
Back in the day we did this thing at my jr. high school called "Noon Dancing" (this was in '66-67) and we played this so many times. Still love it!
Donenotperfect 1 month ago
back to the nam
MdNgtRyder 1 month ago
heard one of these guys joined a band named stories that had a couple of hits in the early 70's..am i wrong??
exgroupiefromelmont1 1 month ago
@exgroupiefromelmont1 Michael Brown, the founder and guiding force behind the Left Banke, wrote for, played keyboards in, and produced Stories, but he left the band before they hit with "Brother Louie" and "Mammy Blue" (one of my favorites). Basically, he played on their first two albums, including their first hit "I'm Coming Home."
BadRaspberriesFinger 1 month ago
@BadRaspberriesFinger thank you sir, for clearing it up for me..i was'nt all that sure...judy..
exgroupiefromelmont1 1 month ago
I WENT IN STR8 AND CAME HOME PSYCHODELIZED.
BONA7902 1 month ago
Because of hearing problems and being unable to be myself in that time and place, I did not understand most of the lyrics when this was released. Even so, the song had a beauty and emotion that transcended that and I loved it then. Now, after hearing the lyrics clearly in "Joyful Noise", I can understand it and find it more meaningful than ever. Thanks for posting it and giving others who were touched by it a place to share with everyone.
WECOMirrophonic 1 month ago
Didn't know this version, thanks for posting it. Upon hearing it though I have to say the singing is awful.
notvalidcharacters 1 month ago
@notvalidcharacters "Awful"? I'm pretty sure every Left Banke fan would disagree with you. Steve Martin's vocals perfectly complement the Baroque style of music the band were playing. I could listen to this guy's voice all day long. This, along with "Pretty Ballerina," are two of the best, most melodic songs of the rock era.
BadRaspberriesFinger 1 month ago
Like if you liked this song before Joyful Noise
yourpolkadottedfrien 1 month ago
will I get ever tired of this song? ...never
asdf242010 1 month ago
@asdf242010
me neither. haunts me since it came out. and especially since i now know the words - 40 years later.
TheCMac518 1 month ago
JOYFUL NOISE BROUGHT ME HERE
swaggnasty6 1 month ago
I found out about this song through Joyful Noise :)
ikei98 1 month ago
@ikei98 OMG ME TOO. glad i'm not the only one xD
LoveIsLikeWoe 1 month ago
Read the extraordinary prophecies of Linda Newkirk
The Great Tribulation will soon begin with the Obama Assassination, The Two Witnesses, False Rapture/Alien Invasion, Revelation 12, New Madrid To Split USA in half.
Very profound warnings from Jesus at Prophecies Org
Hismailservice 1 month ago
@Hismailservice Also, George Carlin will return from the dead and kick the asses of all the trolls and rabid christian fundamentalist fascist nazis. You are the false witness the bible warned us about!
HeartoftheDragonColo 1 month ago
joyful noise <3
it made this song play like a melody in my head <3
MadMidnightMusic 1 month ago 15
i hered this song on joyful noise and it sounded preety awesome
MrSuarez08 1 month ago 2
I always loved this song!!
MegaLehleh 1 month ago
Great Oldie, getting long overdue recognition due to Joyful Noise. Movie came out this past Friday and this song is featured.
djump32 1 month ago
You guys think this one is nostalgia? Go check out "Yellow River" by Christie... You'll remember it when you hear it.
LawnDart055 1 month ago
@LawnDart055 You are so right!!!
JOYOUSONEX 1 month ago
@JOYOUSONEX Glad I could help... :-)
LawnDart055 1 month ago
Like if Joyful Noise brought you here
MIZZCTM89 1 month ago 36
@MIZZCTM89 Yes, it did. I forgot this song until the piano scene in Joyful Noise. Such incredible memories.
robinnnnnnnnnnnn 2 days ago
Have sorry,sad, feeling with this Vietnam period, My employees that went there could function, my friends that went there could not function. Some served cause they wanted to, some didn't. I supported all that served, but not the war, the higher ups didn't do thier job right, example, spraying agent orange on them, messed up thier brains.
importantisimo1 1 month ago
I 'am in awe with this song and have been since I was about 5 yrs. old and living in Sacramento Calif. Great memories from that time period.....
bishopenterprise 1 month ago
There are 11 soul-less people in the world.
dancingwdeer 1 month ago
I realize that no one is going to care about my age, but I'm 23, and I grew up listening to an oldies radio station that played this kind of music as well as some classic rock, and this song takes me way way back. I used to listen to the radio (and that particular station) while doing homework, and this song was one of the most-requested, and for good reason. Awesome song, and thanks for posting.
dudestr5552 1 month ago
Damn, why are there tears in my eyes . . . ?
snlgriggs 1 month ago
Stirring vocals and harmonies.GOOSEBUMPS!!!Transports me back to my childhood.thanx.PEACE
larciabella 2 months ago
Thanks for the kind words Sandy, I really appreciate it. Penny
penelopeannj 2 months ago
I think this song fills us 60's people with a longing then and now. For dreams that we wished for then and for the ones we lost now. Hearing this and being in Vietnam would make it even more of a soul touching longing.....
penelopeannj 2 months ago in playlist Music 5
@penelopeannj I really like what you said,it was said very elequently,it's a very immotive song,the best version by far.
englishsandy 2 months ago
@penelopeannj
...and, for me, the words "Just walk away... you're not to blame."
We need forgiveness in our lives.
--F Brep
FarnhazenBrep 2 months ago
@FarnhazenBrep You said it, friend, I find the melody as well as the words has a way of creeping into your brain and creating a color show of past moments in time. Some we want to relive and some we want to walk away.......
penelopeannj 2 months ago 2
I remember this song from the first woman I was with. It still bites my heart...
jdmeaux 2 months ago 2
Still makes me weep... and so does the memory of all the older boys going to Viet Nam when I was a little girl.
God bless you for your service.
MsPony65 2 months ago 2
MY FROSHMAN YEAR IN 72...STILL REMEMBER
mightybeeb 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
definitely...this is the original Version. I was very young when my parents used to hear this beautiful song, thanks for upload it.
gerrymcmalo 2 months ago
Comment removed
gerrymcmalo 2 months ago
Wonderful song - my freshman year of high school, fall of 1966... Thanks for posting this.
yawhause 2 months ago
for those who already like a few songs by the Left Banke i think that ... Kaleidoscope (UK) 3 songs ..."Love song for Annie" , "If you so wish" , "Black Fjord" ...all recorded in 1968 will potentially interess those who search other great sounds of that era...its not that disimilar to the Left Banke style
BohemianConspiracy 2 months ago
This song still brings tears to my eyes,as I always think of my beautiful angelic Pumpky my daughter Katie Renee! love you baby!!!
JerecDarkheart 2 months ago
I was in Jr. High when this song was popular. It's true, the haunting melody reminds me too of Vietnam, where 3 boys from my small town were killed; One was my best friend's older brother. I had a lady (who never married) say to me not long ago..."My husband was killed in that war..I never knew him, but I know the boy for me was killed over there". Really sad.
cmflydelta 2 months ago
This Song has a "haunting" qualiaty.
"The Empty Side Walks on My Block Are Not The Same"
"You're Not Too Blame".
Now As the Rain Beats Down Upon My Weary Eyes,
For Me They Cry.......These Lyrics Still apply To Me...
All these Years Later.
desert3347 2 months ago 2
My nickname has always been Renee, growing up I always strained to hear what the hell they were saying about what was in the heart upon the wall, lol! I've taken the advice many times and haven't had my hard completely broken yet by this world, gotta know when to fold (hey, another great song!).
WynstenneRose 2 months ago
sound is loud enough...could use a little more bass. nice and clear sound.
APACHEFIRE1 2 months ago
Dynamite song....!!!!
centralparocker 2 months ago
At 59 years old now, this was one of the songs that really sticks in my conscience now from those early, self-conscience teenage years when you were trying to figure out who you really were, and thinking about a lovely romance of the future.
MikeinVirginia1 2 months ago 2
my generation irritates me so much!
IMDangerOzz 2 months ago 2
This song reminds me off that time in the 60s as a kid growing up with no worries.. hot summers, my dad taking us to the raceway on sundays...its something when in your life october goes and you look back at your life.. treasure the time..
yelnats21 2 months ago 2
Happened to play this while my 15 year old daughter and her friends were downstairs... the al ran upstairs and wanted to know who was doing the great song. My daughter and her friends are awesome.
dbcoll1957 2 months ago 4
I hope Steve Martin does this with the arrow through his head.
Yeah, I know different Martin, I was around then.
TheDevilsBusiness 2 months ago
First time I heard this song I thought the Four Tops original recorded it and when I learned of the original group Left Banke were the original version. My mind went back to the 60's to remember even though I was a child of the 60's I now remember the original version. What a unusual time to live in the 60's.
not2shy2say 2 months ago
THIS SONG WILL ALWAYS REMIND ME OF A GERMAN WOMAN WHO MARRIED MY BEST FRIEND BEFORE HE WENT TO VIET NAM .SHE DIED LATER OF CANCER ...RENE WAS HER NAME
BEJUCAL 2 months ago
I've still got a 45 of this song. I liked it very much, this and also the 4 Tops version.
brerrabbit77 2 months ago
i see many vietnam vets have posted about this song. i just wanted to say "thank you" for the service to our country. xoxox to all our heroes xoxox
Manderley22 2 months ago 20
Welcome home. It is fascinating to me that this was such a unique song for so many of us, and that it has stayed in our emotional memories for some 40+ years! I posted the following two months ago on another youtube site for this same song: “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.” Best wishes.
LasVegasJim 2 months ago 37
@LasVegasJim ...so true what you said about this song being so unique in its ability to linger in our emotional memories...it was and is deeply touching and emotionally evocative...i tear up too when i hear it and very few songs do that to me...
irishrogue63 2 months ago 5
@irishrogue63 Thank you for your thoughful reply. My best wishes to you.
LasVegasJim 2 months ago 2
@LasVegasJim It's because we lost our youth.I was spit on in Chicago and called a baby killer when the only thing I wanted was to see my family and forget the horrors we saw. No one that wasn't there will ever know what we went through. I still cry after 43 yrs with what I lost and a nation that treated us as criminals instead of Patriots. God bless you and all our brothers that served.
rickyt43515 1 month ago
@rickyt43515 I hear ya!... My hubby went to Vietnam a year after this beautiful song was on the charts. He was just a young Man serving his country, and when we were married just a couple of years after he was out of the Navy, I remember him not putting on a job application he was a Vietnam vet, because of the fear of not being hired. A Cousin of his died over there, at 19 years old. He didn't die for nothing. God Bless each and everyone of you, who served our Country.
TheGabbydeb 1 month ago
@rickyt43515 Welcome home. I was born and raised in Melrose Park, and I was a Good Humor Man in Chicago before I enlisted in 1965. My last Army assignment after RVN was in CA until 1969, and I never moved back to Chicago. Those experiences definitely changed our lives. My first cousin was a combat medic 101st Airborne in ’68, and he died from Agent Orange in 2000. I salute you and share your thoughts: “God bless you and all our brothers that served.” Best wishes.
LasVegasJim 1 month ago 2
@LasVegasJim Sorry about your cousin Jim. Some times it's hard to let go of the feelings we have and the things we went through. Thank you brother for your service and never regret your service or what you went through. Your a Hero and deserve this country's thanks. Though the times and values of this country may change we who endured and gave our best have only our honor of our service to comfort us and know we did the best we could do. God bless the USA.
rickyt43515 1 month ago
@LasVegasJim glad you made it bro--it is payback time I don't mean weed smokin hippies but the crooks who sent brave men like you out as if you were just dirt, My Dad spent his life taking care of vets no i want the ones who paid there way out!!
(It is a hell of a song) I think i know why it spoke so deeply to you but it is not my call -peace
vivascargill1 1 month ago
sadly almost as many brothers have been lost since returning home
Branded in mind and soul...trained to kill, then thown back into a more crazy world
42 yrs past, and it still feels like something is about to happen
I'm glad those being released are getting help in the transition.
I pray peace to all present and past family in arms, may the road rise up to meet you !
HisbrotherJames 3 months ago 4
This was a kinder gentler time even midst the Vietnam war that many of us young men were drawn into and being 20 and ten thousand miles from home not knowing if you would return or if your girl would wait. 59,916 young boys mostly drafted died there never to see their girlfriends, wives or children ever again.
wilcarr1 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Faster Saunders, Faster!
harponercam 3 months ago
Comment removed
harponercam 3 months ago
To all of the Vietnam vets, God bless you. I can't even begin to understand what you've been through. I've loved this song since I was a kid. I hope there is still music that comforts today's soldiers in horrific conditions. And ricky143515, she would not have been the right choice for you. I hope you've regained happiness. America owes you all so much admiration.
MsElliott04 3 months ago 5
@MsElliott04 Thank you for the kind words. She was 17 and I was 19. She was in her senior year of HS and I wanted her to date. I knew the life expectency for a Combat medic was 4 days. When I made it home she wanted to leave him and be with me.But I was too proud. But I wish I had. She was and is the love of my life. We still talk to this day. Her husband was a friend of mine and he's made her happy. So I can't ask for more than that.
rickyt43515 3 months ago 3
@rickyt43515 REMEMBER OUR CREAD"TO SAVE A LIFE"GUESS YOU DID - 68-69 COMBAT MEDIC 101ST
BEJUCAL 2 months ago
@BEJUCAL Life was fast and cheap back then. We did what we had to do. Welcome home my friend.
rickyt43515 2 months ago
welcome home!
52joan 3 months ago
Wow does this bring back memories. I was a combat medic with the 199th light Inf. in Vietnam and heard this on the AFN show East of midnight. Had just got a letter from the girl I was engaged to that she was getting married the next day. Pretty fitting I guess. Just hearing it brings back a few tears.
rickyt43515 3 months ago
@rickyt43515 I was a freshman in high school when this song came out in 1966.I'm glad you made it back from Nam,I had a few friends that didn't.This song certainly does bring back alot of memories. USN Seabee (ret)
9945223 3 months ago
autoplay isnt working even with google chrome
frank05bay 3 months ago in playlist First Wave
I can't sing my way out of a paper bag, so I have no room to talk. But If you listen closely, he doesn't have the greatest signing voice, but it is absolutely perfect for this song, sounding sad, haunting, sort of sorrowful .I'd love to see them perform. Are they around yet?
chemonurs 3 months ago
The drummer in the band was in love with lead singers girlfriend Renee, He wrote this song for her.
When they recorded the song she had to leave the studio because he was to nervous around her to play.
She was his muse, he wrote song when he was just a teen and it became a huge success with many remakes by different artists.
Like Justin H, lead singer of The Moody Blues wrote Nights in white satin, when he was just 16.
Both Amazing!
xepobnha666 3 months ago
Beautiful name, beautiful song. We were starcrossed, Renee.
alindallas 3 months ago
We need a renaissance of melodic pop.
Catdude5000 3 months ago
This song is so beautiful, it still brings tears to my eyes. Heard it in '67 (i think) and was taken by the pathos.
THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH for putting this up for us 'moldy oldy's' to enjoy !
TheOtherRoger 3 months ago
I remember their type of music was classified as "Baroque."
guilford62 3 months ago
Miss you cuz!Remember you playing snare drum to this tune.
DThor53 3 months ago
Looks like 9 people decided to walk away after all....and I feel sorry for them....
centralparocker 3 months ago
I've listened to almost every version of this by every artist I could find. There are no really "bad" versions of this, but the left banke's version is still by far the best. The song itself is really just a GOOD song. Even my teenagers like it, and all their other music sucks!
Duskwood1 3 months ago 2
Hauntingly exhilarating tune. Brings back old times and memories. I remember the 45.
twj1996 3 months ago
the 70s group angel made a great remake
TheRisingforce2000 4 months ago
@carlagirl7 Yeah!! But not good memories. Alot of heartache!!! sniff sniff.
aspenrebel 4 months ago
Another song that blends the violin and guitar very nicely. I've noticed that i tend to like songs with this combination. Classical gas, Kansas Dust in the Wind are other good examples.
TriforceSD 4 months ago
Poignant and elegant darkly romantic, this is no mere song. It hangs in my mind after many years.
foucle 4 months ago
@foucle I agree!
carlagirl7 4 months ago
Graduated in the 80's and I'm an 80's music nut, but this speaks well of the 60's!
Duskwood1 4 months ago
I've read that the flute in The Beatles, "Hide Your Love Away" came about as a result of this song and The Mammas and the Pappas, "California Dreamin'"
bigmarty56 4 months ago
@bigmarty56 Huh...I read that Mike Brown suggested the flute solo after hearing "California Dreamin."
SavedandSound 3 months ago
Comment removed
oldHDbiker 4 months ago
Seems every good thing I ever experienced occurred in '65 '66 + 67. This song, so beautifully done, brings a tear to my eye, and a regret that those few years had to rush by so quickly. At age 62 now, I find my mind wandering back to those days when gas was cheap and cars were fast. The war finished off any youthful innocence we may have harbored, and replaced it with....something.
Be at peace, Mr. Saigon...
greasegun49 4 months ago
@greasegun49 I'm about 10 years younger than you but I feel the same..... wish we could all go back to those times..........
17drumhead 4 months ago
@17drumhead I read a book once. I believed it was called "Sad Movies" or perhaps it was a song that I'm remembering. Either way, it was about memories. "Sad Movies, They Always Make Me Cry" came from it. What is odd to me is that even though that period of time was such a great one, recalling them is such a melancholy thing. How quickly life goes by and changes. Enjoy your relative youth; it gets faster and faster. Peace...
greasegun49 4 months ago
i remember hearing this song for the first time while doing midnight duty in Vietnam.. Oh what a voice, what a sound, what time...
1968saigon 4 months ago 40
@1968saigon
Thank you for your service.
did you real "Loon" yet?
kingsxkids 3 months ago
@1968saigon ---welcome back home, soldier. Hope you're finding peace in this crazy, eff'd up world of today.
DestroyerofSouls666 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
@1968saigon I hear you brother. C Co. 1/7th 3rd Brigade 71-72 ...welcome to the world man.
cp30teeroos 2 months ago
@1968saigon //Funny that all of us Vets remember all the sixites music when we were 10,000 miles from home and lonely. I had a transistor radio sent from home and hooked it up with a PR25 radio battery and listed to it when I was on ambush or Listening Post (LP) was not a good idea but what the hell.
wilcarr1 2 months ago
@1968saigon
I dont recall the first time i heard this tune eithre. You are correct it LINGERS". saw vietnam at the end. it was a calm just befor ethe ultimate storm, when we finally pulled out for good. I have found , many,mny, of my musical memories, are found today in archived black and white footage. I am now making a collection of them, called "BLACK AND WHITE MEMORIES"
radiowwww 2 months ago
@1968saigon Thanks for your service. I had a really cool 6th grade teacher that was a 150mm gunner in Vietnam.
GuyFawkes40 2 months ago
@1968saigon keep on grov'in to the 60's partner
pkappel006 2 months ago
OMG!!! Why don't you just stick a knife in my heart? It'd have the same effect as this song. I haven't heard this in ages. Damn!!! Does this bring back memories, and not good ones. Thanks. Now I have to go put my heart back together again.
aspenrebel 4 months ago
@aspenrebel I could not have said it better!!!.....I came on YouTube for something else and found myself searching for song from years past....I forgot about this song....and on the first beat, all the memories came flooding back....Amazing how music does that to you....
carlagirl7 4 months ago
Anyway, THIS is the sound I grew up with and it's special to me!
dumboldon 4 months ago
I love both versions of this song by the original and the Four tops.It's just a great song.
bajangirl01 4 months ago
Brings back so many memories of being so young and such a happy time. I think this period of the 60's when this song was out, had some of the best music of all time. So many great groups, such a great time musically!
folkmusicgirl 4 months ago 2
Late summer, 1966 at Coney Island Amusement Park, Cincinnati, Ohio,
ragnarb100 4 months ago
Tremendous vocals....great harmony....
centralparocker 4 months ago
pretty sure this was the first use of a harpsichord/clavichord on a rock song. anyone know any different?
jdsowa 4 months ago
@jdsowa You're very close. I found this surprising snippet in Wiki: "Brian Wilson began to use orchestral arrangements, melodies and harmonies on The Beach Boys' 1965 albums Today! and Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) with harpsichord and zither, among other [classical] instruments."
SavedandSound 4 months ago
@SavedandSound oh yea... 'when i grow up'.. can't believe i forgot about that. .ha
jdsowa 4 months ago
@jdsowa though I think it would be fair to call this the first bit of 'baroque pop', since the beach boys thing doesn't have that same feel. Unless, of course, you count george martin's sped up piano solo from 'in my life'-late '65.
jdsowa 4 months ago
@jdsowa But even with the harpsichord, The Beach Boys still sound like Sunshine Pop. The Left Banke top the list of Baroque n Roll/Bach Rock groups, in my book! ;D
SavedandSound 4 months ago
Linda Ronstat rarely did anything 1st
Syzygy60 5 months ago
@Syzygy60 No--but she did it better.
Branner 3 months ago
I love this song. The music of my youth!
ironmining 5 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Beautiful song , but Linda Ronstadt 's acoustic version is so far the best I've heard . In the 60's , Sylvie Vartan did a wonderful version of "walk away Renee" in french ( Quand un amour renaît ).
Jenmarkc 5 months ago
@Jenmarkc It seems difficult to make a 'bad' version of this song. For me though, this version is so much more poignant than the others. This is also the version that I grew up with, which colours my perception. I do like the, very different version, by Terry Reid though. That is almost a different song, which is probably why it appeals.
hawkmoon03111951 5 months ago 12
@hawkmoon03111951 In France , The Left Bank were completely unknown : it was the Four tops that popularized the song and...Sylvie Vartan : in those days , all the big US hits were translated in french and became successful mainly in their cover versions.
Jenmarkc 5 months ago
@hawkmoon03111951 I liked the song way back when.......don't know why. Must have been young and naive..the only thing I remember is the refrain, can't make any sense of the lyrics, even after looking them up and reading them....great melody...should have left it as an intrumental.
vandie100 3 months ago
@Jenmarkc
I know that Linda Ronstadt did Walk on By (and yes it is awesome). Did she also sing this song?
blueridgepics 5 months ago
@blueridgepics Pardon me, Jenmarc. I made a mistake. It was the song Hurt so Bad that Linda Ronstadt performed that I was thinking of.
blueridgepics 5 months ago
@blueridgepics yes she did on an album called "adieu false heart" : it's pure and beautiful . I don 't think it's on youtube but you can listen to it on "DEEZER" or "Grooveshark" in streaming.
Jenmarkc 5 months ago
@Jenmarkc Personal preference is, of course, a matter of taste. As for me, this original version (by the Left Banke) is, was, and always be THE definitive version of the song and is so far the best I'VE heard.
chatman2a 3 months ago 4
Left Banke por supuesto. El compositor es Michael Brown, miembro del grupo, y la dedicó a Renee Fladen-Kamm, novia de otro miembro del grupo, el bajista Tomm Finn. La de Four Tops es uno más de las decenas de covers, ninguno tan bueno como el original.
BLOOtarget 5 months ago
Who did this First? The Left Banke, or the Four Tops?
88mroux 5 months ago 2
@88mroux This is the original version. The Four Tops copied it. It has also been covered by Alice Cooper and Terry Reid. Very different versions to the original but, I think, they work well.
hawkmoon03111951 5 months ago 2
@hawkmoon03111951 Wow Terry Did a version? Would love to hear that
Cayutiikedz 5 months ago
@Cayutiikedz You will find it on Youtube, it has been posted.
hawkmoon03111951 5 months ago
@hawkmoon03111951 Wow Terry Did a version? Would love to hear that
Cayutiikedz 5 months ago
@hawkmoon03111951 Would love to hear Terry's version
Cayutiikedz 5 months ago
@hawkmoon03111951 Hey guys what aboutSouthside Johnny &The Asbury Jukes they also cracked the top 50 with the song
redcargofast 5 months ago
@hawkmoon03111951 I thought I had read that Left Banke wrote the song but the Four Tops were first to record it. Due to the success the Four Tops had, Left Banke made a recording and (as they say) the rest is history.
dbjrus 3 months ago
@dbjrus Don't know where you read that. I remember buying the record, by Left Banke, a couple of years before the Four Tops recorded it.
hawkmoon03111951 3 months ago