The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
If you see me walking down the street
And I start to cry, each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
Make me believe that you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve, in private
'Cause each time that I see you, I break down and cry
Walk on by, walk on by (don't stop), just walk on by (don't stop)
Oh 'cause I just can't get over losing you
And if I seem, broken and blue
Walk on by (just walk on by), walk on by (just walk on by)
Foolish pride, is all I have left
So let me hide the tears and all the sadness
That you gave me when you said goodbye
When you walked on by (don't stop), when you walked on by (don't stop)
Just walk on by, just walk on by
Walk on by (just walk on by), walk on by (just walk on by)
Foolish pride is all that I have left
So let me hide these tears and all the sadness
That you gave me when you said goodbye
Just walk on by (don't stop), just walk on by (don't stop)
That you really gotta go so walk on by (don't stop)
Said you really gotta go so walk on by (don't stop)
Baby leave me never see the tears I cry (don't stop)
Baby leave me never see the tears I cry (don't stop)
Don't stop
Just walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)
And I start to cry, each time we meet
Walk on by, walk on by
Make me believe that you don't see the tears
Just let me grieve, in private
'Cause each time that I see you, I break down and cry
Walk on by, walk on by (don't stop), just walk on by (don't stop)
Oh 'cause I just can't get over losing you
And if I seem, broken and blue
Walk on by (just walk on by), walk on by (just walk on by)
Foolish pride, is all I have left
So let me hide the tears and all the sadness
That you gave me when you said goodbye
When you walked on by (don't stop), when you walked on by (don't stop)
Just walk on by, just walk on by
Walk on by (just walk on by), walk on by (just walk on by)
Foolish pride is all that I have left
So let me hide these tears and all the sadness
That you gave me when you said goodbye
Just walk on by (don't stop), just walk on by (don't stop)
That you really gotta go so walk on by (don't stop)
Said you really gotta go so walk on by (don't stop)
Baby leave me never see the tears I cry (don't stop)
Baby leave me never see the tears I cry (don't stop)
Don't stop
Just walk on by (don't stop)
Walk on by (don't stop)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Walk on By Lyrics as written by Hal David Burt Bacharach
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Spirit Music Group, Integrity Music, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.