Peak
5
Weeks
13
Score
2,361
Chart Year
1966
This was written by band member Michael Brown, who was 16 at the time, with help from his friends Bob Calilli and Tony Sansone. Brown wrote it after meeting Renee Fladen, the girlfriend of the band's bass player. Renee Fladen was in the control room when Michael Brown tried to record his harpsichord part. He later said in an interview that he was so nervous trying to play with the beautiful Renee present that his hands were shaking. In the end he gave up and returned later when he recorded it without any problem. The line "Just walk away Renee" is often misinterpreted as "Don't walk away Renee." The singer has decided that Renee will never return his affections and is better off with her out of his life. The idea of using a girl's name in the title was inspired by The Beatles "Michelle." This was the first hit for The Left Banke. They had another a year later with "Pretty Ballerina," which was also inspired by Renee. In 1969, this was a #3 UK hit for The Four Tops. The Left Banke's original version never charted in England.
And when I see the sign that points one way The lot we used to pass by every day Just walk away Renee You won't see me follow you back home The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same You're not to blame From deep inside the tears that I'm forced to cry From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide Just walk away Renee You won't see me follow you back home Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes For me it cries Just walk away Renee You won't see me follow you back home Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes For me it cries Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall Still finds a way to haunt me, though they're so small Just walk away Renee You won't see me follow you back home The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same You're not to blame
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sep 10, 1966 | 69 | 57 |
| 2 | Sep 17, 1966 | 58 | 68 |
| 3 | Sep 24, 1966 | 40 | 86 |
| 4 | Oct 1, 1966 | 30 | 96 |
| 5 | Oct 8, 1966 | 14 | 112 |
| 6 | Oct 15, 1966 | 7 | 119 |
| 7 | Oct 22, 1966 | 6 | 120 |
| 8 | Oct 29, 1966 | 5 | 121 |
| 9 | Nov 5, 1966 | 10 | 116 |
| 10 | Nov 12, 1966 | 12 | 114 |
| 11 | Nov 19, 1966 | 16 | 110 |
| 12 | Nov 26, 1966 | 23 | 103 |
| 13 | Dec 3, 1966 | 43 | 83 |